Research interests include Accessible Communication in Health and Justice Systems, Use and Acceptance of Digital Technology in Healthcare, Aphasia Rehabilitation, Lived Experience of Non-Oral Feeding and Dysphagia, Case Study design and Mixed Methods Research.

Teaching interests include Intermediary Studies in Legal Practice; Acquired Communication Disorders; Dementia; and Management of Feeding, Eating, Drinking and Swallowing (FEDS) disorders.

Profile: Áine has worked as a speech and language therapist with a variety of clinical populations across the life span, working within acute, rehabilitation and community services in Ireland and New Zealand.  Her clinical areas of interest are inclusive and accessible communication, adult acquired communication disorders, stroke rehabilitation and the assessment and management of feeding, eating drinking and swallowing disorders in adults.

Teaching Experience: Áine was the inaugural Course Director for the Professional Diploma in Intermediary Studies. This interfaculty programme was delivered in conjunction with the School of Law and the School of Allied Health and Áine taught on intermediary practice modules. On the MSc. Speech and Language Therapy Programme, she teaches on acquired communication disorders as well as feeding, eating, drinking and swallowing disorders. She previously coordinated the Conversation Partner Scheme for first year MSc SLT students.

Research Experience: Áine PhD research, which explored stakeholders' perspectives of ICT-delivered aphasia rehabilitation, was funded by the Health Research Board (HPF-2016-1700). This was followed by a participatory health research study also funded by the Health Research Board, KEDS-2017-007). This resulted in the development of a website for public awareness about computer use in aphasia rehabilitation. In response to the Covid-19 crisis, Áine investigated the feasibility of an online conversation partner scheme with student speech and language therapists and people with acquired communication disorders. Most recently, Áine is involved the ENSPIRED project, an all-Ireland research project funded by the North South Research Programme. We know people with communication disability are at risk of being excluded from society, affecting relationships, and having less opportunities to work, socialise, and participate in everyday activities. The ENSPIRED project aims to tackle that. She is currently collaborating with a civic society organisation, A.S.S.C. to collaboratively explore child-friendly justice, a project funded by Research Ireland.  

Membership:  CORU, Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, British Aphasiology Society and Registered Intermediary Ireland.