Our Society

I introduce the concept of 'Mirror therapy'—a deceptively powerful neurorehabilitation technique that uses visual feedback to stimulate neuroplasticity after stroke. I will explain how mirror therapy works, why it engages the brain’s motor networks, and how it can help “trick” the brain into relearning movement when physical function is limited. I relate to ‘Our Society’ by sharing the story of a stroke survivor who regained arm function six months post-stroke using mirror therapy. I will also discuss how our Neuroplasticity Research Group at ATU Sligo is developing innovative, web-based mirror therapy devices to support Telemedicine. This inspired the title of my new book Lights, Mirrors, Action.

I’ll share my journey with diabetes and how a research career shaped my approach to managing it. I moved from basic tools—multiple daily injections and finger prick tests—to continuous glucose monitoring and a hybrid closed loop pump, my own artificial pancreas. I now use several mostly off label medications I identified through my training, supported by a consultant who backed my self management goals. My research aim is to develop technologies that help others make informed, empowering decisions in their own diabetes care.

I’m exploring how we can design better interventions for young people with Dyspraxia. My focus is on using participatory design to work with young people, parents, and professionals to co-create ideas for a gamified Augmented Reality vision therapy experience. I aim to understand needs, preferences, and engagement to inform more inclusive, usable, and meaningful interventions grounded in lived experience.

The centrality of emotions in the personal and professional practice of school leaders is by now well established in scholarship. This talk focuses on one vignette which sought to examine the emotions of principals in times of transition with specific reference to amalgamation. Qualitative research congruent with a phenomenological approach, adopting multiple, in-depth interviews and shadowing as research tools, was utilised. This presentation will focus on the impact that an amalgamation has on how leadership practice is shaped, from the point of view of the playing out of emotions.