Psychology - Structured

Admission to a research degree is at the discretion of the potential Supervisor and Director of Research, and is based on a proposal from the applicant following discussion with the member of staff whose academic area of interest is most appropriate. Candidates should have obtained a degree in psychology (either single- or joint-honours) to at least upper second-class honours level (or equivalent).



As part of the doctoral training available on the Structured PhD programme, students avail themselves of a range of interdisciplinary taught modules. The wide menu of available options include modules that:



-are discipline-specific in that they augment the student’s existing knowledge in their specialist area , e.g., Skill Theory and Skill Development

-are dissertation-specific in that they supply core skills which are essential to completion of the research project , e.g., Specialist Methodologies in Psychology: Research

-acknowledge a student’s professional development , e.g., presentation of a paper at an international conference

-enhance a student’s employability through generic training , e.g., careers workshops, computer literacy.



Each student will be assigned a primary Supervisor(s) and a Graduate Research Committee made up of experienced researchers to plan their programme of study and to provide on-going support to their research.

Candidates should have obtained a degree qualification in psychology to at least Upper Second Class Honours level (or equivalent international qualification). Admission to a research degree is at the discretion of the potential Supervisor and Director of Research, and is based on a proposal from the applicant following discussion with the member of staff whose academic area of interest is most appropriate.

Applications are made online via the NUI Galway Postgraduate Applications System.

Areas of interest

Dr. AnnMarie Groarke

The design and role of psychological interventions for patients with cancer; illness cognitions and health outcomes, coping and adjustment in chronic illness.


Prof. Jack James

Cardiovascular behavioural health, and the psychophysiological correlates of stress; the implications of dietary caffeine for human health and well-being (cognitive performance and mood); applied behaviour analysis.



Prof. Ruth Curtis

Psychophysiological explanations of stress and coping; cognitive behavioural interventions with cancer patients; personal dispositions and health.


Dr. Mark Elliott

Time and more specifically the timing of psychological processes (or temporal dynamics) at the level of cognitive microstructure. His investigations concern perception, memory and to a lesser extent decision-making.


Dr. Brian Hughes

Psychological stress (particularly its impact on cardiovascular psychophysiology, immunity, and health) and on psychosocial moderators of stress processes, such as social support and personality.


Dr. Brian McGuire

Pain management, diabetes care and adjustment to chronic physical illness.


Dr. John Bogue

Forensic clinical psychology, risk assessment, and investigative psychology.


Dr. Molly Byrne

Health promotion, coronary heart disease, primary care, health behaviour change and communication in health care settings, blood donation, sexual health and relationships among people with chronic illnesses.


Dr. Olive Healy

Evidence-based treatments and non-scientific practices in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder; Behavioural procedures to increase socially significant behaviour and to decrease and eliminate challenging behaviour; Longitudinal investigations of the effectiveness of applied behaviour analysis in the education and treatment of children with developmental disorders;


Dr. Caroline Heary

Child health psychology, mental health stigma and methodological issues relevant to conducting research with children.


Dr. Mike Hogan

Lifespan development grounded in the philosophical framework of pragmatic systems science


Ms. Anne Marie Keane

Pain management, rehabilitation and implementation of change in health-care systems.


Dr. Geraldine Leader

Applied Behaviour Analysis.


Dr. Padraig MacNeela

Clinical judgement and decision making, health services and nursing research, and volunteering.


Dr. Denis O'Hora

Experimental analysis of behaviour; relational frame theory, coordination dynamics and continuity of mind.


Dr. Kiran Sarma

Forensic social and abnormal psychology


Dr. Ian Stewart

The Experimental Analysis of Language and Cognition; Applications of Relational Frame Theory; Philosophical Issues in Psychology


Dr. Jane Walsh

Preventative health behaviour and the use of theory-based interventions in both community and hospital settings.