University of Limerick
A survey of Irish students recently voted UL Ireland’s most popular university with a satisfaction rating of 85%. UL offers more than 70 undergraduate programmes across Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Education and Health Sciences, Science and Engineering and the Kemmy Business School. UL also delivers a strong postgraduate offering with more than 100 taught postgraduate programmes to Doctoral and Post-doctoral level.
UL has particular expertise in both Assistive Technologies as well as research relating to the perspective of individuals with disabilities. We are keen to accept fellows that are interested in evidence based service provision for children, young people and families; supporting families who care for those with intellectual disability living in the community; fellows interested in the impact of Assistive Technologies on lived experience including both positive and negative consequences, and in particular projects that attend to the perspective of individuals with disabilities on the therapeutic process and the contribution of individuals to goal planning and outcomes.We have expertise in design, Human-Computer Interaction, Ubiquitous computing, Sensors and Electronics, large assisted living projects, expertise in the area of movement analysis, physical behaviour monitoring, app development and sensor integration.
Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the UL contact person or any potential collaborator
University of Limerick researchers in Lero – the Irish Software Research Centre and ARCH – Applied Research for Connected Health Technology Centre have conducted research on Connected Health in a variety of healthcare contexts such as radiography, geriatric and maternity services. They focus particularly on understanding models of healthcare, and how the use of technology and processes can support clinicians in providing patient-centric care.
The Faculty of Education and Health Sciences (EHS) has a primary research goal in creating and disseminating knowledge through research that impacts on the social, educational and healthcare needs of people locally, nationally and globally. The Health Sciences Building provides research office space, ITD facilities and support. The Department of Nursing and Midwifery, provides a rich environment which can support post-doctoral researchers. The Department of Clinical Therapies (CTs) was formed in 2012 by merging three existing allied health disciplines at UL; Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy.
The Physical Education and Sport Sciences (PESS) department hosts a range of modern and well equipped laboratories catering for research in physical education, exercise physiology, biomechanics and psychology/motor skills. These include biomechanics laboratory, two physiology laboratories, anatomy and kinesiology laboratory, biochemistry laboratory, pedagogy and resource laboratory, psychology laboratory. In addition, each laboratory contains specialist research equipment including, but not limited to motion analysis systems, Field Testing Equipment, stabilometers, EMG/ECG analysis and muscle stimulation.
The Graduate Entry Medical School at UL houses a dedicated research area comprised of biomedical laboratories, core specialised equipment areas, and dedicated write-up space. In addition, the GEMS at University of Limerick has formed a partnership with the Health Services Executive to establish resources that enable interventional studies. Included in this is space for patients/study participants to interact with clinicians in a dedicated, purpose-appropriate facility, thus ensuring dignity and confidentiality for those participating in the studies.
UL has connections with the Inclusive Research Network; founding members of the Irish Disability Studies Association; members of professional bodies Psychological Society of Ireland; Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland and the Irish Nursing Board.
Intellectual Disability Studies at UL (IDS@UL) includes multiple disciplines, offers a balanced number of abled and disabled members, and provides mentorship to people engaged in intellectual disability studies. Our work attends to social justice and human rights, health and well-being of people with intellectual disabilities and their families, effective and responsive service provision, and inclusive research practices.
