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A group of third-year psychology students recently visited Ability West’s training centre as part of their “Community Psychology and Social Justice” module delivered by Mike Hogan. The visit provided students with a valuable opportunity to observe and engage with a service dedicated to supporting individuals with complex intellectual, physical, and multiple disabilities. At the centre, students learned about the person-centred approach employed by Ability West, which tailors training plans to the interests and passions of each student. This approach not only builds on their independence but also promotes community integration through initiatives such as weekly work experience. Students were introduced to the various courses offered at St. Joseph’s, including cooking, personal care, technology use, and art, as part of a three-year QQI Level 5 training program. They also observed how the centre supports participants in building skills that enhance their quality of life and autonomy as well as encouraging members to realise their goals and ambitions and supports them on their journey to achieving them. The community psychology team experienced the welcoming atmosphere at the training centre and the wonderful dedication of the staff, who work tirelessly to give students the support and tools they need to reach their full potential. The visit prompted students to reflect on the vital role that community-based initiatives play in promoting social justice and empowering individuals with disabilities. Inspired by the experience, some students expressed interest in joining Ability West’s university-led society, “Best Buddies,” coordinated by Linda Keane. This inspiring programme supports individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism in forming life-changing friendships and engaging in everyday social activities that many take for granted. Overall, the site visit provided students with a deeper understanding of the real-world application of community psychology principles and highlighted the importance of services like Ability West for promoting inclusion and independence within marginalised communities such as the disability community.

On October 4th, four psychology students, Colleen Kyan, Nora Barry, Ella Gallagher and Mollie Connolly from the University of Galway came together to participate in Galway Simon Community's Sleep Out, raising both funds and awareness for homelessness. The event was held on the university grounds, in collaboration with the Galway Simon Society. By reaching out to friends, family, and fellow students to support the cause together with society members, the initiative successfully raised an impressive €6,210, of which the four students collectively contributed €1,892 - funds that will go directly to supporting vital services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.   The students first became involved through the ‘Community Psychology and Social Justice’ module led by Michael Hogan. The module encourages students to move beyond the classroom and engage actively with real-world issues, particularly those centred around social justice and community development. Inspired by the module’s teachings, the group decided to participate in the Sleep Out, embracing the opportunity to make a tangible difference.   The Sleep Out was more than just a fundraising effort; it was an experience that fostered empathy, solidarity, and a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by those experiencing homelessness. The group spent the night on the cold and hard college grounds, gaining a small glimpse of what many endure daily. Their reflections revealed how the experience brought a personal dimension to the statistics and theory they had studied in class.  One of the students shared, “It’s one thing to learn about homelessness in lectures, but actually taking part in an event like this makes it so much more real. It gave us a sense of responsibility to do something, however small, to help.”  As part of the event, the students had the privilege of meeting Karen Golden, CEO of Galway Simon Community. Her insights into the organization’s operations, challenges, and achievements left a lasting impression on the group.  

On October 31st, six dedicated third-year psychology students transformed their knowledge into action by supporting sustainability efforts at Merlin Woods Community Gardens. Through an impactful litter-picking initiative, Odetta Bakanovaite, Saoirse Burke, Diarmaid Burrows, Ava Coffey, Aika Dunbar and Emer Jackson demonstrated the power of community engagement. As part of Mike Hogan's Community Psychology and Social Justice module, these students brought classroom lessons to life, combining education with meaningful service to make a tangible difference.  Merlin Woods Community Gardens is a vital green space that blends environmental preservation with community engagement. Guided by Caroline Stanley, a passionate environmentalist, the students explored the gardens, participated in meaningful service, and gained insights into how this organization nurtures biodiversity, inclusivity, and community well-being.  During the visit, the team engaged in a litter-picking initiative that highlighted the challenges of maintaining such an expansive community space. In addition to participating in cleanup efforts, students observed sustainable practices such as dry-stone wall restoration using original materials, reflecting the commitment of the Friends of Merlin Woods Community group to ecological integrity.  Caroline also showcased innovative projects like the Green Seat Theatre, built with recycled materials, which serves as a gathering space for schools and community events. These initiatives demonstrate how sustainability can blend creativity, education, and community engagement to achieve lasting impact.  As noted by the team, “Our participation gave us a firsthand view of how the gardens foster community cohesion. By maintaining accessible spaces—such as wheelchair-friendly walkways—and hosting inclusive events, Merlin Woods creates a welcoming environment for all. This commitment to diversity resonates with principles of social inclusion and critical disability theory, enabling individuals of varied abilities to contribute to and benefit from the community space.”  The visit not only allowed students to contribute to the gardens' upkeep but also deepen their understanding of the interplay between ecological health and community well-being. Witnessing the dedication of volunteers and the tangible benefits of collective action inspired a greater appreciation for how small efforts can lead to meaningful change.  The team highlighted the transformative nature of the experience: “Engaging with Merlin Woods reinforced the importance of integrating classroom knowledge with real-world application. By experiencing the gardens' challenges and triumphs, we developed a heightened sense of purpose and a clearer understanding of how community psychology principles can drive positive social and environmental outcomes.” 

A group of third year psychology students recently volunteered with Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) in an effort to enrich their academic knowledge with real-world experience by diving headfirst into the daily operations of a community-focused charity shop. Jessica Murphy, Emma Neary, Cora Shannon, Fergus Foley, Sadhbh Ní Bhéarra, and Rebecca Walker, all students in Dr. Mike Hogan’s Community Psychology and Social Justice class, stepped out of the classroom and into the heart of one of SVP’s shops to experience first-hand their everyday functions and the challenges they face.    Over the course of three weeks in October, the students spent time in SVP’s Westside shop, where they carried out tasks such as sorting donations, stacking shelves, pricing items, and learning the essential daily duties of the volunteers who work there. With the invaluable guidance of the store's manager, Aggie, and the support of the other hardworking volunteers, the students gained a deeper understanding of the inner workings of the shop.  The opportunity highlighted the vital work that SVP does for both the local and wider community by raising funds through shop revenue to support those in need, providing assistance to individuals who may be facing financial challenges, promoting the importance of compassion and community action, and also through creating a friendly and welcoming environment for all who engage with the shop.   The experience not only enriched the students’ academic understanding of community psychology but also provided them with a firsthand appreciation for the dedication and effort involved in running a charity shop. Stepping into the roles of volunteers allowed them to gain unique insights into how even small, everyday actions can contribute hugely to achieving significant social impact. They hope through raising awareness for the importance of SVP, they will inspire others to get involved and engage with services such as these to ensure they can thrive and continue making a difference in the lives of those who need it most.  

Dr Denis O'Hora was nominated for the Regional Skills West 2024 awards due to his dedication to resolving industry skills needs in the West of Ireland. Regional Skills West is an initiative of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. The committee noted his work on the development of the MSc in Consumer Psychology and his active participation in the Sales Professionals Network in Galway: "Your vision, drive and innovation have redefined the game - this award nomination is testament to your extraordinary impact".

On Monday the 25th of November, 2024, Kristin Ruane undertook her examination of her thesis on "Exploring the effects of parental smartphone use on language development and parent communications that facilitate language development." She was examined by Prof Jennifer Austin of Georgia State University and Dr Helena Lydon in an exam ably chaired (as always!) by Prof Gary Donohoe. Congratulations also to lead supervisor, Dr Ian Stewart, and Dr Denis O'Hora, co-supervisor. Their guidance and mentorship was essential in enabling Kristin's work. Not content with completing a phd, Kristin also wrote a book for parents on Applied Behaviour Analysis called Finding Victoria. Learn more about that here: https://lnkd.in/eEdYa3_8

On the 21st of November, a crisp afternoon, when quad was beautifully dusted with snow, the Consumer Psychology Class of 2024 celebrated a milestone that marks both the end of an academic journey and the beginning of promising careers. Our graduating cohort gathered on campus, surrounded by family, faculty, and peers, to honour their achievements and reflect on the transformative experiences that brought them here. During their programme, these students delved into the intricacies of consumer behaviour, mastering topics from decision-making heuristics to the impact of emotional branding. Their capstone projects tackled real-world challenges, offering innovative insights into pressing questions of consumer engagement in an increasingly digital and ethically conscious world. Speaking after the ceremony, Dr. Denis O'Hora, director of the programme, praised the graduates for their resilience and creativity. “These students were the first to take on our internship programme, balancing full-time work with their major project; they were fantastic to work with,” he said. Congratulations, Class of 2024!

Congratulations to our recent graduates from the MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis! We are extremely proud of them, each having completed their two year professional training programme in Behavioural Psychology. It was fantastic to catch up with graduates and hear about the meaningful work that they have continued to undertake in educational and health services. Very best wishes to all Psychology students who graduated this week!

Students from the 2024 cohort of the MSc in Clinical Neuroscience graduated recently at the Winter conferring ceremony. Many of these students have already gone on to roles as assistant psychologists, research assistants, and PhD studentships. Sincere congratulations to Daniel Lee for wining the prize for best performing student of the year.

From November 12th to 14th, seven third-year psychology students harnessed the power of community spirit by organizing a donation drive in support of COPE Galway. Claire Costello, Katie Curran, Sofia Fragala, Amykate Hannon, Caoimhe Lowry, Daria Marchenko, and Paul Surlis, all participants in Mike Hogan’s Community Psychology and Social Justice module, turned their classroom learning into meaningful action. For three days, the group set up a collection point in the psychology building, appealing for donations of brand-new clothes, personal items, and toiletries. The university community responded generously, contributing a wide array of essentials for the charity. COPE Galway, which supports vulnerable individuals and families in the Galway area, expressed their gratitude for the donations, noting how these items would make a tangible difference to those in need. This was not the first time some of the students contributed to COPE Galway’s mission. Earlier in the semester, Sofia Fragala and Katie Curran organized a Halloween-themed fundraiser in collaboration with the university’s Photo and Horror Societies, raising €897 for the charity. The students’ combined efforts underscore the impact of hands-on community engagement. By aligning their academic studies with real-world actions, they have not only supported a vital local cause but also embodied the values of social justice and community service, making a lasting impression both within and beyond the university.

Congratulations to Aimee Walsh (University of Galway - DPsychSc trainee) who won the PSI Division of Clinical Psychology Early Career Research Award for her research paper on professionals' experience of psychosocial responding to the Creeslough Tragedy. Aimee was supervised by Dr Maura Finnegan and Dr John Bogue. Congratulations also to Roisin Finnegan (2021 intake DPsychSc trainee) who was nominated for her research study on trainees' experiences of mandatory therapy. Roisin was supervised by Dr Anne O'Connor. Photograph shows Aimee Walsh being presented with her award by Prof. Brian McGuire, Chair of the Division of Clinical Psychology, The Psychological Society of Ireland.

The DPsychSc programme are hosting an information session on 19th November, 1pm. This will be an online event. Please register your wish to attend by emailing clinicalpsychology@universityofgalway.ie

The School of Psychology recently hosted the launch of the Psychosis Art Collective. This is a terrific example of a peer-developed and peer-led initiative. Congratulations to NICOG Psyche team member Conor Gavin, a recent graduate of the MSc in Clinical Neuroscience, for leading the collective.  

MSc Health Psychology Student Amy Cachia won Best Poster Presentation at the recent PSI Early Graduates Conference based on her MSc Health Psychology dissertation project "The Experience of Women Living with Vaginismus: A Qualitative Study". Amy was supervised by Dr. Jenny McSharry and Prof. Molly Byrne.

Dr Chris Noone (School of Psychology) co-wrote an article with Karen Sugrue (TUS), a psychotherapist and co-chair of Mammies for Trans Rights, for Journal.ie in which they highlight the lack of HSE services for trans young people and criticise the recent Cass Report.