University of Limerick

Associate Professor Triona Mc Caffrey, joint winner of the Presidents Research Excellence and Impact Early Career Researcher – Starting Award 2025In this episode we hear from Triona Mc Caffrey, Associate Professor of music therapy, at the Irish world academy of music and dance, a member of the Participatory Health research Unit, and the Health Research Institute here at the University of Limerick. We discuss Triona’s research primarily focused on music, and music therapy for mental wellbeing, with a specific focus on adult and perinatal mental health. Triona has spearheaded interdisciplinary research across Music Therapy, midwifery, psychiatry, and obstetrics with a strong emphasis on Public and Patient Involvement (PPI). Triona is joined by Maria Gibbons, Advanced Midwife Practitioner, with the Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Team, at the University Maternity Hospital Limerick. Triona’s pioneering collaborations with University Maternity Hospital Limerick has led to the first music therapy programme in specialist perinatal, mental health services in Ireland, this programme has been commended by the Department of Health. Listen to this in-depth conversation on how music therapy is instrumental in supporting parents connecting with their babies positively impacting infant wellbeing.Recorded by GKMedia.ie

Associate Professor, Bar Mosevitzky Lis, President's Research Excellence and Impact Early Career Researcher – Starting Award Winner 2025In this episode Associate Professor Bar Mosevitzky Lis Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering and a member of the Bernal Institute, discusses his research which is driven by examining catalysts, using in situ techniques, capturing catalysts in action which is essential in uncovering true performance drivers and guiding rational design. He discusses receiving a prestigious Research Ireland Frontiers of the Future Program Award, funding his research in understanding and optimising catalysts for the production of ammonia, a key chemical whose production is responsible for ~2% of all greenhouse gasses worldwide, and which is key to feeding ~50% of the world’s population. Bar's scientific research is tackling grand challenges while he is also actively building collaborations with European industry and co-chairing the revitalised Irish Catalysis Society.Recorded by GKMedia.ie

Professor Karen Mc Creesh, President's Research Excellence and Impact, Early Career Researcher Consolidator Award Winner 2025In this episode we hear from Professor Karen Mc Creesh, Professor of Physiotherapy at the School of Allied Health, a Member of the Ageing Research Centre and the Health Research Institute at the University of Limerick. Karen discusses her research, which is driven by the goal of transforming care for people with musculoskeletal pain, particularly shoulder pain and chronic pain, by advancing effective, non-surgical treatment options. This work has provided new insights into the mechanisms and treatment of shoulder pain, along with deeper insights into the lived experiences of people with pain. Karen is joined by Martina Phelan, Chairperson of Chronic Pain Ireland and Ryan Meaney, Physical Activity for Health Officer, Limerick Sports Partnership who are collaborators on Karen’s most recent research project: The “Community Based exercise for chronic pain” COM EX. This study focussed on providing group exercise classes, tailored to the needs of older adults living with chronic pain, in their own communities.  Listen to the impact of the research, the learnings and hear from the collaborators about their positive experience, shaping future research with exercise projects. Recorded by GKMedia.ie

The European Centre for the Study of Hate is an interdisciplinary research hub committed to deepening our understanding of hate in all its manifestationsIn this episode Professor Jennifer Schweppe, School of Law and the Director of the European Centre for the Study of Hate, and Professor Amanda Haynes, Department of Sociology who co-founded the Centre, will discuss leading a pioneering interdisciplinary collaboration, combining legal and sociological research to address hate crime in Ireland and beyond. Jennifer and Amanda’s research has informed the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024, Ireland’s first dedicated hate crime legislation. Hear more about the research projects, their impacts on policy and society.Recorded by GKMedia.ie

Established in 2019 through funding received from the Health Research Institute in UL, the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre is, the first of its kind in Ireland, with a vision is to become “World Leaders in physical activity research that demonstrates real-world impact in policy and practice”.   In this episode Professor Catherine Woods, Director of PAfH Research Centre, Health Research Institute, and the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, UL. Professor James Green, PAfH core member, School of Allied Health, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, UL are joined by Michael Barry and Micheal Lynch, both who live locally and have been long time attendees of a community-based exercise programme for people living with a chronic condition run in UL.  This programme, named ULMedX,  was designed and is run by the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre. The Research centre is continuing to build an international hub of excellence in the area of physical activity and health research, key to this is a multidisciplinary approach that includes physiologists, sports and exercise scientists, physiotherapists, and health, sports and exercise psychologists.Recorded by GKMedia.ie