Aisling O'Donnell

Dr.

Accepting PhD Students

PhD projects

Stigmatised groups and wellbeing

20072024

Research activity per year

Personal profile

Research Interests

I am interested in social identity processes, including relationships within and between groups, how identity is constructed and understood, and how it relates to well-being. This broad focus on social identities and on how self-categorisation and social structure impact peoples lives is something that underpins all my past and present research. My PhD research focused upon how social identity relates to surveillance, leadership, power, and social influence. In my first postdoctoral position, I worked on an IRCHSS funded project investigating participation in crowd events in Ireland, and the consequences for Irish national identity. Next I took another postdoc funded by a European Commission grant, where I worked on projects examining the impact of power and status relations on inter- and intra-group relations. Currently, my research centres on social identity and well-being, with a particular focus on the effect of stigmatised identities on peoples social, psychological and physical well-being.

Teaching Interests

I enjoy teaching students at a range of levels, and it is important to me to continue developing my teaching skills throughout my career, which is why I completed the Specialist Diploma in Teaching, Learning and Scholarship in 2015. I spend time planning how best to engage students in learning. My favourite topics to teach are anything social psychological, and I love bringing these topics to life for students.

Biography

I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Liverpool in 2005. From there, I moved to the University of Exeter where I was awarded an MSc in Social and Organisational Psychology in 2007. My PhD was completed in October 2009, also at Exeter, and successfully defended in the December of that year. Immediately after completing my PhD I began a postdoctoral position at the University of Limerick, followed by another at the University of Liverpool, UK. My current position is with the University of Limerick as a Lecturer (Associate Professor B). I typically lead undergraduate and masters level modules on social psychology. I have also taught and led undergraduate and Masters level modules on the social identity approach, political psychology, professional skills in psychology, and qualitative methods. In the past I have served my Department as MA Psychology Course Director, EHS sPhD Course Board representative, Ethics Committee Representative and CoOp Officer. I also served on the university-level Marketing and External Relations Committee.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 5 - Gender Equality
  • SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
  • SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  • SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

Related documents

Education/Academic qualification

PhD, PhD, University of Exeter

Award Date: 1 Jan 2010

Masters, MSc, University of Exeter

Award Date: 1 Jan 2007

Bachelor, BSc (Hons), University of Liverpool

Award Date: 1 Jan 2005

External positions

Lecturer in Psychology, University of Limerick

2 Jan 2012 → …

Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Liverpool

1 Mar 2011 → …

Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Limerick

2 Nov 2009 → …

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