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Dr. Kathleen Mc Tiernan

Assistant Professor (Clin Speech & Language Studies)

 


Kathleen McTiernan is a Chartered Psychologist and an Assistant Professor in Psychology in the School of Linguistic Speech and Communication Sciences. She holds a BA from Georgetown University, MSc from Case Western Reserve University, MPhil and MA (jo) and a PhD from Trinity College Dublin. She has held several leadership positions at Trinity. In the School, she has served as the Director of Equality and Diversity (2018-2021), and the Director of Postgraduate Teaching and Learning (2020-2024) and she is currently serving as the Director of Global Relations. From 2018-2022, she was a member of the Board of Directors of Trinity College Dublin. Her research focus is on the psychology of language, communication and swallowing. She has over 70 peer reviewed publications, including an edited book. Her teaching includes the module coordination of and lecturing on the following modules: Social and Developmental Psychology, Cognitive and Neuropsychology, Counselling, Research Methods and Statistics, Research Design, Capstone Project Supervision. She received a Trinity Accessibility and Inclusion Award for her teaching in 2023.
  Multilingualism   Psycholinguistics   Psychological Well-being   Psychology and Communication
 INCLUDEED
 BAQONDE
 VirtuLApp
 Multilingualism and Language Learning: 'Cross-Language Dynamics: Reshaping Community'
 Life Long Learning in Applied Fields

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Details Date
Expert, PSI Development of ADHD Best Practice Guidelines Policy working group drafting the best practice guidelines document for the diagnosis of ADHD for policy implementation in Department of Education and the HSE Since 2021
Expert, Mercator European Research Centre on Multilingualism and Language Learning Since 2020
Steering Committee, Psychological Society of Ireland Division of Academics, Teachers, and Researchers in Psychology Since 2017
Expert member of international consortia on multilingual educational needs and practice engaged with several international Departments of Education, teachers and children in primary and secondary school settings Since 2020
Consultant Psychologist for the development of the Speech and Language Therapy Bachelors degree programme NUIG. 2003
Language Skill Reading Skill Writing Skill Speaking
English Fluent Fluent Fluent
Spanish Medium Medium Medium
Details Date From Date To
Chartered Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland (C.Psychol.,Ps.S.I.) 2010 Present
Psychological Society of Ireland Division of Academics, Teachers and Researchers 2010 Present
International Association of Language and Social Psychology 2019 Present
European Educational Research Association 2018 Present
American Psychological Association International 2019 Present
Gilheaney, Ó, Costello, C. & McTiernan, K., Surveying the international prevalence and nature of eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties in adults presenting with Fibromyalgia., Dysphagia, 2024, p1-10 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Gilheaney, Orla & Rogers, Naomi & McTiernan, Kathleen, Exploring the lived experiences and perspectives of individuals with communication and swallowing difficulties associated with Long-COVID., Advances in Communication and Swallowing., 27, (1), 2024, p1-16 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Gilheaney, O. Hussey, J. & McTiernan, K., The Lived Experiences of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Adults Living with Fibromyalgia, Health expectations, 27, (1), 2024, p1 - 10, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Gilheaney, Órla & McTiernan, Kathleen, The handbook of eating, drinking and swallowing problems in adults with Fibromyalgia, Hampshire, UK, J & R Press, 2023, 1 - 69pp, Book, PUBLISHED
Exploring the lived experience of fibromyalgia and eating, drinking, and swallowing problems in, editor(s)Gilheaney, Órla & McTiernan, Kathleen , The handbook of eating, drinking and swallowing problems in Adults with fibromyalgia, J & R Press, 2023, pp13 - 21, [McTiernan, Kathleen, Hussey, Joeann, Gavigan, Rhianne & Gilheaney, Órla ], Book Chapter, PUBLISHED
Eating, drinking and swallowing problems experienced by people with fibromyalgia in, editor(s)Gilheaney, Órla & McTiernan, Kathleen , The handbook of eating, drinking and swallowing problems in Adults with fibromyalgia, Hampshire, UK, J & R Press, 2023, pp1 - 5, [McTiernan, Kathleen & Gilheaney, Órla], Book Chapter, PUBLISHED
The future of collaborative care provision and research into fibromyalgia associated dysphagia in, editor(s)Gilheaney, Orla & McTiernan, Kathleen , The handbook of eating, drinking and swallowing problems in Adults with fibromyalgia, Hampshire, UK, J & R Press, 2023, pp43 - 54, [Gilheaney, Órla & McTiernan, Kathleen], Book Chapter, PUBLISHED
Strategies for living well with fibromyalgia associated dysphagia in, editor(s)Gilheaney, Órla & McTiernan, Kathleen , The handbook of eating, drinking and swallowing problems in Adults with fibromyalgia, Hampshire, UK, J & R Press, 2023, pp23 - 33, [McTiernan, Kathleen, McNamara, Mathilde & Gilheaney, Órla], Book Chapter, PUBLISHED
Physical signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia-associated dysphagia in, editor(s)Gilheaney, Órla & McTiernan, Kathleen , The handbook of eating, drinking and swallowing problems in Adults with fibromyalgia, Hampshire, UK, J & R Press, 2023, pp7 - 11, [Gilheaney, Órla, Costello, Catherine. & McTiernan, Kathleen], Book Chapter, PUBLISHED
How can healthcare professionals support people with fibromyalgia associated dysphagia? in, editor(s)Gilheaney, Órla. & McTiernan, Kathleen. , The handbook of eating, drinking and swallowing problems in Adults with fibromyalgia, Hampshire, UK, J & R Press, 2023, pp35 - 42, [Gilheaney, Órla, Carroll, Ellen & McTiernan, Kathleen], Book Chapter, PUBLISHED
  

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Award Date
Trinity Research Doctorate Award 2024
Trinity Accessibility Champion Award 2023
1st Place Prize Digital Product Gold Award for VirtuLApp BabelAR APP February 2022
2nd Place Prize European Language Label Awards for Babblar Game App November 2021
1st Place Prize for Best Presentation, IASLT Biannual Conference 2021 September 2021
Shortlisted for the Provost's Teaching Award (Commendation for excellence in curriculum design and excellence in the scholarship of teaching and learning) 2014
Shortlisted for Provost's Teaching Award (commendation for teaching excellence) 2013
Invited Visiting Fellow University of Notre Dame, South Bend Indiana 2013
I am a Psychologist who specialises in language, communication and swallowing research. I employ mixed methods to interrogate the features and contexts of language and swallowing to determine how individuals can thrive whether they are in a time of growth, acquiring a new language, or they are in a period of recovery struggling with a language or swallowing disorder. Given the centrality of language and swallowing to human identity, the key to positive outcomes for stakeholders often hinges on the intersection of the psychosocial aspects of their personal challenges. My work seeks to support the enhancement of individual autonomy and wellbeing by embedding psychological education at both the grass roots service user level and at the policy level. I am passionate about the application of research findings, especially among language learners, teachers, patients and policy-makers. I engage with practitioners and service users in ways that enhance psychosocial outcomes for all. Key themes in my research include: - Theoretical explorations of agency, autonomy, identity and wellbeing - Formal language learning provision and the classroom, at primary, post-primary and third levels & informal language learning (home languages, minority, heritage, second/foreign, etc.) throughout the lifespan -Developing research-led tools for successful language learning, including digital applications, toolkits and curriculum content The outcomes of my research have shaped education policy and service provision and have contributed to practical improvements in educational and healthcare settings in Ireland and internationally.