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Profile Photo

Professor Catherine Darker

Professor in Health Services Res (Public Health & Primary Care)
TALLAGHT HOSPITAL
      
Profile Photo

Professor Catherine Darker

Professor in Health Services Res (Public Health & Primary Care)
TALLAGHT HOSPITAL

 Catherine.Darker@tcd.ie

 3531896 8510


Professor Catherine Darker is the Professor in Health Services Research in Trinity College Dublin. She is a Health Psychologist and her research interests lie in translating evidence into practice, in particular, using theories, evidence and methods for changing the behaviours of healthcare professionals, patients and the general public. This is known in Ireland and the UK as Implementation Science research. She has a particular expertise in applying and developing complex intervention methodology in the context of community based programmes and trials (including intervention design, outcome measurement, fidelity, feasibility, and process evaluation), for prevention related research (e.g., smoking cessation, alcohol, physical activity/sedentary behaviour). She has a proven track record in attracting research funds as PI or Co-Applicant (€4 million). She has been PI and Co-PI on funded research by the Health Research Board (HRB) to undertake public health studies relating to COVID-19; a pilot cluster randomized trial of a community-based smoking cessation intervention for disadvantaged women in Ireland, and a a peer-to-peer motivational interview intervention for smoking, alcohol and physical activity among at risk adolescents in low SES communities. Professor Darker is routinely commissioned by the Health Service Executive to conduct outcome and process type evaluations of national programmes and services. All of her research has a clearly defined Knowledge Exchange Dissemination plan with recommendations to change policy and practice in the prevention and management of a range of chronic conditions. She has served as Head of Discipline of Public Health & Primary Care, and as Director of Postgraduate Teaching and Learning within the School of Medicine. She is a senior member of teaching teams and develops and delivers innovative curriculum's for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. She is an active member of the Psychological Society of Ireland (Chartered Health Psychologist) having held many roles within the governance of the Society. She was an inaugural member of the Healthy Ireland Council, and a Member of the Expert Committee on Prevention within the Irish Cancer Society. She is a strong advocate for the just and equitable distribution of and access to healthcare services. She has over 100 peer reviewed publications (h-index 24) and supervises and examines PhD and Masters students. In 2024, she was elected as Fellow of Trinity College Dublin.
  Addiction research - alcohol   Addiction research - cocaine   Addiction research - opiates   Addictions   Alcohol/Alcoholism   Applied Psychology   Area & Population Studies/Services   Behavior Modification   Behavioral/Experimental Psychology   Behavioral/Social Studies/Services/Other   Behavioural change interventions   Counseling/Guidance   Demography   Drugs/Drug Abuse   Health attitudes and behaviour   Health outcomes   Health policy   Health psychology   HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH   Health status and inequalities   IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH   Inner-City   Population based intervention trials   Population Studies   Population Studies--Developing Countries   Poverty and the Poor   Primary care   Prison   Psychology   Psychometrics   Public health   Public Planning/Policy   QUALITATIVE RESEARCH   Smoking Behavior   Social Services Delivery   Social/Behavioral Science Planning/Policy   Socioeconomics   Substance Abuse   Surveys & Survey Research
Project Title
 Development of an evaluation (process and outcomes) Toolkit to support the implementation of the Healthy Campus Charter and Framework
From
15.01.2024
To
14.07.2024
Summary
A "Healthy Campus" has its roots in the `Okanagan Charter" which encourages higher educational institutional (HEIs) to integrate health and wellbeing into all aspects of campus life including policies, practices and the curriculum. In Ireland, the `Higher Education Healthy Campus Charter and Framework" is the national policy which describes Healthy Campuses. The aim of this project is to develop a Toolkit to support the implementation of the Healthy Campus Charter and Framework in Ireland. This Toolkit will include process and outcome indicators; a self-review tool; and a set of resources to support HEIs in implementing, monitoring and evaluating the Healthy Campus Charter and Framework. The team is led by Trinity College Dublin in partnership with Munster Technological University, University College Cork and University of Limerick, which all have considerable experience with implementing `Healthy Campuses". Firstly, we will conduct a rapid review of existing self-assessment Tools which are in use internationally, which will identify indicative process and outcome indicators. We will engage, through a series of stakeholder meetings, with the HEA, and the Healthy Campus Network to determine their opinion of the potential usefulness of these process and outcome indicators. We will create a repository of resources from existing resources in use across the four applicant HEIs, alongside requesting example resources from across the Healthy Campus Network to be included in the repository. An e-learning technologist will develop the self-assessment Tool. This Tool will be piloted in each of the four applicant HEIs. The Tool will be modified based upon this pilot. The project will culminate in a workshop in which members of the Healthy Campus Network will be trained in how to use the self-assessment Tool.
Funding Agency
Higher Education Authority
Person Months
6
Project Title
 Informing National Policy for physical activity based secondary prevention of stroke in IREland (INsPIRE)
From
To
Summary
Funding Agency
Health Research Board
Project Type
Evidence for Policy
Person Months
24
Project Title
 Collaborative Research Network in Mental Health " awarded for CO-PRIME (CO-production, Promotion and advancement of Research and Innovation in Mental hEalth)
From
To
Summary
Work Package co-lead for `Knowledge Translation and mobilisation: systems, policy and practice.
Funding Agency
Health Research Board
Project Type
Health Research Network
Person Months
60
Project Title
 VISTA: VISion To Action for promoting mental health and recovery. An Implementation Science approach to "Sharing the Vision" - Ireland's national mental health policy.
From
01.12.2023
To
01.03.2027
Summary
Our proposal is focused on how recommendations within this policy can best be implemented. Mental health problems are a leading cause of disability globally. StV emphasises the importance of mental health promotion, prevention, early intervention, and recovery, and recognises the need for a whole of population approach. Our proposed research programme VISTA (Vision to Action for promoting Mental Health and Recovery) seeks to progress the translational "policy to practice" pathway of StV"s implementation plan through six work packages targeting overlapping domains (see Figures 1, 3 and 4). Theoretically informed by Implementation Science, VISTA aims to identify determinants to implementing StV and overcome these through the formulation of tailored implementation blueprints, inclusive of context responsive, feasible and acceptable strategies for the benefit of service users, their family members/carers, and supporters.
Funding Agency
Health Research Board
Programme
Applied Programme Grant
Project Type
Health services and community research
Person Months
51
Project Title
 Health Assets and Needs Assessment in Tallaght - Round 3
From
20th September 2023
To
19th September 2024
Summary
Aim: The aim of this study is to examine health assets and health needs in the Tallaght community through a repeat of the methodology employed in the 2002 Tallaght Health Needs Assessment and 2014 Health Assets and Needs Assessment to identify and map health assets in Tallaght. This will inform future health, social and community service planning and delivery prioritises. Objectives: 1. To assess current health needs, 2. To assess any changes in health needs and health assets in Tallaght since 2002 (Round 1) and 2014 (Round 2) surveys, 3. To identify and map any new health assets, 4. To establish the relationship of the community with these health assets, 5. To provide recommendations for health, social and community service planning and prioritisation relating to the health and wellbeing of the Tallaght community and its population. Research questions: 1. What are the current health needs of the Tallaght community? 2. How have the health assets and needs of the Tallaght community changed over the past eight years? 3. What relationship does the community have with these health assets? 4. How has community social capital changed within the Tallaght community?
Funding Agency
Health Services Executive and Adelaide Health Foundation
Programme
Joint Funding Programme
Project Type
Community research
Person Months
12

Page 1 of 4
Details Date
An Taisce - One Health committee 2025 - present
Chair and Judge - BT Young Scientist Exhibition 2019-present
Trinity representative - Healthy County Committee (South Dublin) 2014-present
Irish Platform for Patient's Organisations, Science and Industry (IPPOSI)(Board Member) 2013-2018
Expert Committee on Prevention, Irish Cancer Society (Committee member) 2016-2018
Healthy Ireland (Council Member) 2014-2017
HEI HSE National Standard Undergraduate Curriculum for chronic disease prevention and management (Steering Group member) 2018 - present
Department of Health, National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol (subcommittee member of Treatment, Rehabilitation and Consequences, plus Research Advisory Group) 2013-2016
Expert Committee on Health Inequalities, Irish Cancer Society (Committee Member) 2015-2017
TASC Group on Health Inequalities (Committee member) 2012-2015
Health Reform Alliance (Chair; Ordinary Committee Member) 2014-2017
Reviewer for the following journals, inter alia: BMJ Open, BMC Public Health, BMC Health Services Research, BMC Family Practice, Health Policy, International Journal of Integrated Care, Health Psychology Review, Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy, 2007-present
Council member - Psychological Society of Ireland 2011-2014
Honorary Secretary - Psychological Society of Ireland 2012-2014
Chair of Division of Health Psychology - Psychological Society of Ireland 2016-2017
Honorary Treasurer, Division of Health Psychology, Psychological Society of Ireland 2010-2013
Chair of Standing Committee on Psychometric Testing - Psychological Society of Ireland 2010-2013
Scientific Committee - Psychology, Health & Medicine Conference 2015;2019
Scientific Committee - International Foundation for Integrated Care Conference 2017
Language Skill Reading Skill Writing Skill Speaking
English Fluent Fluent Fluent
Details Date From Date To
IFIC Ireland (the International Foundation for Integrated Care) - Steering Committee member March 2024 present
Cochrane International Collaboration 2011 present
Psychological Society of Ireland (Registered Member 2009-2011) (Chartered Member 2011 - present) 2009 present
British Psychological Society (Full member 2008-2016) (Associate Fellow 2017 - present) 2008 present
European Health Psychology Society (Full Member) 2008 present
Anand-Vembar S, Keogh B, Higgins A, Sheaf G, Kartalova-O'Doherty Y, Longe O, Staines L, McEvoy D, Gallant AJ, Wilson C, Ryan L, FitzGerald C, Nic Aodha C, Ryan C, Doody M, Horkan N, Hanney N, Breen O, Thomas R, Watters S, Doyle L, Cotter D, Darker CD, Cannon M, Lyne J, McDonald C, Healy C, Donohue G, Burke S, O'Connor K, Mongan D, Murphy R, and O'Keeffe D., Content, implementation, and evaluation of capacity-strengthening initiatives for public and patient involvement in mental health research: a scoping review protocol informed by implementation science, HRB Open Research, 8, (123), 2026, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  URL
David G. Loughrey, Kaye Stapleton, Andrea Bickerdike, Michael Byrne, Susan Calnan, Con Burns, Eva Devaney, Mark Dooris, Sarah Kennedy, Caroline Mahon, Martina Mullin, Cian O Neill, Mary O"Neill, Audrey Tierney, Catherine Woods, David Mockler, Catherine Norton, S. Van den Broucke, Vicki Squires, Susan Smith, Lena Doherty, Aoife Noonan, Catherine Darker, Toolkits for assessing health promotion in higher education institutions: a global scoping review with narrative synthesis, International Journal of Health Promotion and Education, 2026, p1 - 20, p1-20 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
McEvoy, D., Sweeney, C., Ryan, L., Wilson, C., Healy, C., Mongan, D., Sheaf, G., Higgins, A., Gallant, A., Doyle, L., Darker, C., Keogh, B., Kartalova-O'Doherty, Y., Murphy, R., Fitzgerald, C., Staines, L., Lyne, JP., O'Connor, K., Anand-Vembar, S., O'Keeffe, D., Nic Aodha, C., Cannon, M., Donohoe, G., Longe, O., McDonald, C., Burke, S., Breen, O., Thomas, R., Doody, M. & Cotter, D., A systematic review identifying personally modifiable factors for self-harm recovery in young people and the barriers and facilitators to their implementation, Journal of Psychiatric Research, 196, 2026, p210 - 233, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Supporting women with complex needs to access appropriate substance use treatment. in, editor(s)M. Florence, W. Vanderplasschen, M. Yu, J. De Maeyer, S. Savahl , Handbook of Addiction, Recovery and Quality of Life, Springer, 2025, [Ivers, J.H., Darker, C., & Paul. G.], Notes: [in press for 2025], Book Chapter, IN_PRESS  URL
Gallant AJ, Lyne JP, O'Connor K, Sheaf, G., Anand-Verbar, Shaakya., O"Keffe, D., Wilson, C., Kartalova-O"Doherty, Y., Doyle, L., Cannon, M., Ryan, L., Donohue, G., McEvoy, D., Cotter, D., Longe, O., McDonald, C., Higgins, A., Murphy, R., Burke, S., Darker, C.D.., Mapping barriers, enablers and implementation determinants to shared models of care for physical health and sexual wellbeing among young people with mental health difficulties using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research: A scoping review protocol, HRB Open, 8, (28), 2025, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI  DOI  URL
McEvoy D, Wilson C, Healy C, Mongon, D., Sheaf, G., Sweeney, C., Higgins, A., Ryan, L., Darker, C.D., Gallant, A.J., Kartlova-O"Doherty, Y., Murphy, R., Doyle, L., Staines, L., Lyne, J.P., O"Connor, K., Anad-Vembar, S., O"Keffe, D., Cannon, M., Donohue, G., Longe, O., McDonald, C., Burke, S., Cotter, D., Identifying personally modifiable factors for self-harm recovery in young people: A protocol for a systematic review, HRB Open, 8, (48), 2025, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  URL
Gallant, A. J., Lyne, J. P., O'Connor, K., Sheaf, G., Anand-Vembar, S., O'Keeffe, D., ... & Darker, C. D., Mapping barriers, enablers and implementation determinants to shared models of care for physical health and sexual wellbeing among young people with mental health difficulties using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research: A scoping review protocol, HRB Open Research, 8, (28), 2025, p1 - 13, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Kartalova-O'Doherty., Y., Cannon, M., Sheaf, G., Higgins, A., Keogh, B., Watters, S., Longe, O., Anand-Vembar, S., Staines, L., McEvoy, D., Muprhy, R., O'Keeffe, D., Horkan, N., Gallant, A.J., Wilson, C., Darker, C.D., Ryan, L., Lyne, J.P., McDonald, C., Healy, C., Donohue, G., Cotter, D., Burke, S., O'Connor, K., Mongan, D. & Doyle, L., Determinants that impact the use of social media for mental health promotion amongst young people: A scoping review protocol., HRB Open Research, 8, (73), 2025, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Burke, Elaine and Darker, Catherine and Godson Treacy, Isabelle Molly and Kavanagh, Columb and Mockler, David and Slattery, Natasha and Hennessy, Martina, Interventions to enhance gender equity in academic medicine: a systematic review, BMJ Open, 15, (10), 2025, pe107096 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Gallant, A.J., Doody, M., O'Donoghue, B., Cullen, W., Brown, E., Doyle, L., Higgins, A., Murphy, R., Burke, S., Longe, O., O'Keeffe, D., McDonald, C., Kartalova-O'Doherty, Y., Donohoe, G., Keogh, B., Staines, L., Mongon, D., Cannon, M., Wilson, C., McEvoy, D., Anand-Vembar, S., Healy, C., Cotter, D., O'Connor, K., Darker, C. & Lyne, JP., Implementing care for physical and sexual health for youth accessing mental health services., Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 2025, p1 - 4, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
  

Page 1 of 15
Darker, C.D., Loughrey, D., Stapleton, K., McCarthy, N, Round 3 " Health Assets and Needs Assessment (HANA) Tallaght", CPD Event " Optimising Data for Health Service Improvement in Local Communities, Institute of Population Health, Tallaght, Dublin, 2024, 2024, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Darker, C.D, A process evaluation of the implementation of a new model of care in three demonstration sites", Department of Health Town Hall meeting, Department of Health, 2022, 2022, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Darker, C.D.], Health Inequalities " A Wicked Problem Worth Solving", Childhood Development Ireland, Institute of Population Health, Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland, 2022, 2022, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Gabriela M. Sorin, Catherine Darker , Lucy Whiston, Erica Donnelly-Swift, Joe Barry, Brendan D. Kelly, Physical and Mental Health in Post-Recession Ireland: A Community Study from Tallaght, Dublin, Meath Foundation , November, 2018, p1 - 14, Report, PUBLISHED
Darker, C.D., Health Gathering - what changes to local health and social care services are important to residents in Tallaght? , Health Gathering, Tallaght Stadium, Dublin , 2016, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Darker, C.D., The Patients' Perspective - A Survey of Chronic Disease Management in Ireland, Adelaide Hospital Society Roundtable Meeting, Dublin, 2015, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Darker, C.D. & O'Shea, B, Chronic Disease Management in Ireland. Perspectives from patients and clinical stakeholders - implications and recommendations for the Irish healthcare system, Adelaide Hospital Society Roundtable Meeting, Dublin, 2015, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Darker CD, Whiston L, Long J, Donnelly-Swift E & Barry J, Health assets and needs assessment (HANA) in Tallaght, 2014, Dublin, 2015, Report, PUBLISHED
Darker C, Whiston L, O'Shea B, Chronic Disease Management in Ireland: Perspectives from patients and clinical stakeholders- implications and recommendations for the Irish healthcare system, Dublin, Adelaide Health Foundation, 2015, Report, PUBLISHED
Darker CD, Casey E, Seraukina T, Whiston L, & O'Shea B, The patients' perspective - a survey of chronic disease management in Ireland, Dublin, 2015, Report, PUBLISHED

  


Page 1 of 3
Award Date
Fellow of Trinity College Dublin April 2024
Nominated for Provosts Teaching Award 2018-2019 February 2018
Winner of Dean's Award for Innovation in Teaching 2016 May 2016
I lead three key research themes: **1. Applied Behavioural Change Research:** My expertise lies in conducting applied research to address real-world health challenges. I design and execute studies that bridge theory and practice, generating actionable insights for policy and practice. I formulate research questions grounded in behavioural theory, design robust methodologies, and conduct rigorous data collection and analysis. I prioritise interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder engagement to ensure research relevance and impact. My research contributes to public health knowledge and supports evidence-informed decision-making in smoking cessation, alcohol use, and physical activity for the general public, chronic illness sufferers, and healthcare professionals. **2. Evaluation of Health Programmes and Services:** I excel in evaluating health policies, programmes, and services to assess their effectiveness and impact. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, I rigorously measure changes in behaviour, health outcomes, and equity indicators. I assess implementation fidelity, identify barriers, and provide improvement recommendations. My evaluations inform evidence-based decision-making, influencing clinical practice and health policy. My HRB-funded trial changed treatment for methadone service patients in Ireland. My research impacted health psychology theories and questionnaire design. Additionally, my evaluation of the National Clinical Care Programmes in Ireland shapes their national reconfiguration. **3. Health Policy Implementation:** My expertise includes advising on policy implementation using implementation science principles. I systematically study the process of integrating evidence-based interventions into real-world settings, identifying barriers and facilitators, tailoring strategies to context, engaging stakeholders, and monitoring progress. This ensures effective implementation and sustained impact of policies in diverse healthcare environments. I have secured over €4 million in research funding (as PI and Co-Applicant) and published extensively in leading health journals, with over 100 publications (73 as senior author) and an h-index of 24, with 2,300 citations. My research is widely reported in media, including the Irish Times and RTE radio. As a research leader, I enhance the School's and College's research reputation and lead in Public and Patient Involvement (PPI), improving research relevance and societal impact. I have supervised five PhD students to completion.