AISPN Research & Evaluation Working Group
The AISPN Research and Evaluation Working Group develops and promotes research in social prescribing, strengthening the evidence base to inform practice, policy, and service development across Ireland. Working with practitioners, community organisations, academics, and policymakers, the group supports knowledge-sharing, identifies emerging needs, and highlights the impact of social prescribing on individuals, families, and communities. The group also supports social prescribing research nationally and ensures that AISPN stays informed of emerging evidence, intelligence, and best practice, with this reflected on the AISPN website.
The committee hosted a workshop, “Measuring Successes of Social Prescribing”, at Trinity College Dublin on 23 June 2023. Read their blog article here.
Dr Deirdre Connolly
Professor Occupational Therapy
School of Medicine
Trinity College Dublin
Dr Deirdre Connolly is a Professor of Occupational Therapy at the School of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin.
She is a researcher in social prescribing, evaluating the impact of social prescribing on the health and well-being of individuals with chronic diseases, multimorbidity and people living with and beyond cancer.
Email: connoldm@tcd.ie
Jill Mulholland
Adult Nurse, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
PhD Student - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Queen's University Belfast
Jill Mulholland is an Adult Nurse interested in connecting hospital care with holistic community care. She is studying for a PhD with the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queen's University Belfast. The focus of her study is on examining the referral routes to community support, exploring the impact of social prescribing, & exploring and assessing the impact of referral mechanisms involved in connecting people to community-based support. Jill's research will form part of the National Institute for Health & Care Research, funded through the Common Health Assets Programme. It will examine how community-led organisations impact the health and well-being of people in disadvantaged areas across the UK.
Email: jmulholland18@qub.ac.uk
Natalie Delimata
Social Science Lecturer
Atlantic Technological University, Sligo
Natalie is a lecturer and researcher at ATU Sligo. She developed and wrote the Certificate in Social Prescribing in consultation with multiple stakeholders. In recognising community as a source of health and wellbeing, her current research seeks to identify and address barriers to social participation. In 2017, she completed her PhD, which explores intersex, justice and knowledge production. She has three decades of experience in community arts.
Email: natalie.delimata@atu.ie
Dr Karen Galway, PhD
Senior Lecturer
Mental Health School of Nursing & Midwifery
Queen’s University, Belfast
Dr Karen Galway, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer in Mental Health at Queen's University Belfast School of Nursing and Midwifery. Her research experience spans the public, voluntary, and academic sectors, as well as the fields of psychology, public health, epidemiology, nursing, and mental health. She has published over 50 peer-reviewed papers, reports, and policy reviews on public mental health, mental health promotion, and suicide prevention.
Dr Galway has been involved in research funding totalling £1.6m. She is a Director at the National Suicide Research Foundation Ireland and joined the All Ireland Social Prescribing Network in 2021 as co-lead for research and evaluation.
Email: k.galway@qub.ac.uk
Declan O'Sullivan
Lecturer in Physiotherapy
School of Clinical Therapies
University College Cork.
Declan is a lecturer of musculoskeletal physiotherapy on the MSc Physiotherapy program in the School of Clinical Therapies, University College Cork. He is currently undertaking a PhD on the role of social prescribing in the management of long-term musculoskeletal conditions under the supervision of Dr Joseph McVeigh, Dr Janas Harrington, University College Cork and Professor Lindsay Bearne, St George’s University, London.
Email: declan.osullivan@ucc.ie
Rita Bevan
Social Prescribing Regional Coordinator Family Resource Centre National Forum
Rita Bevan is the Regional Coordinator for 10 Social Prescribing sites across the Cork & Kerry Region and is responsible for overseeing the development, growth, and sustainability of the Health & Wellbeing Community Referral Project. Rita offers support to the Managers and Social Prescribing Link Workers and supports Link Workers in building a broad support network to grow referral pathways that promote the development of an integrated collaborative approach with agencies, groups and service providers at a local level. She further works in partnership with these 10 sites and the UCC Research department to evidence the Social Prescribing programme.
Email: ritabevan@familyresource.ie
Dr Margaret Lawler
Assistant Professor of Psychology
School of Medicine
Trinity College Dublin,
Dr Margaret Lawler is an Assistant Professor of Psychology in Trinity College Dublin, and a Charted Health Psychologist of the Psychological Society of Ireland. Her research focuses on young people’s health, wellbeing, and behaviour change. She is currently undertaking research exploring the suitability and acceptability of social prescribing for adolescents and young adults with chronic diseases.
Email: lawlerm1@tcd.ie