Personal profile

Research Interests

Dr. Healy is a pragmatic researcher and utilises multiple methods to advance our understanding of how to obtain a healthy balance of time in physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep (i.e., the 24-hour movement behaviors). This work primarily focuses on traditionally marginalised populations, including autistic individuals and people with intellectual disabilities. Dr Healy applies time-use epidemiological approaches to quantify the patterns and multi-level determinants of 24-hour movement behaviors. To compliment his quantitative findings, and ensure research, intervention and programmatic efforts are person-centered and meaningful, he also frequently engages people with disabilities in qualitative research to understand and amplify their perspectives of health. Dr. Healy also uses multiple methods to refine and test digital health interventions to increase physical activity among populations with disabilities. Some on-going projects being led by Dr. Healy include:- The STAR (Supporting Transition to Active Recreation) project: Developing and testing a digital health intervention to promote physical activity and campus engagement among autistic college students- Conceptualising time as a multi-dimensional determinant of exercise: Development of the Exercise participation explained in relation to time (EXPERT) model. Dr Healys work has been funded by grants from organisations including the European Commission (Erasmus Sport 2021 SCP), US Office of Special Education, Centre of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in Cardiovascular Health, Irelands National Health Screening Service, etc. Dr. Healys publications can be viewed at the following links: Google scholar and ResearchgateDr. Healy's works with an extensive global collaborative network of researchers and welcomes new opportunities for conducting interdisciplinary, innovative, impactful research. Similarly, Dr. Healy welcomes and invites prospective postgraduate students interested in conducting research related to time-use epidemiology, adapted physical activity, and digital health interventions.

Biography

Dr. Sean Healy is a Associate Professor (b)andnbsp;in Physical Activity and Sport Participation, Policy and Practice in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (PESS) at the University of Limerick. Dr. Healy holds a BSc in Physical Education from the University of Limerick and a MSc in Adapted Physical Activity from the University of Leuven, Belgium. In 2015, Dr. Healy was awarded a PhD in Kinesiology from the University of Virginia.andnbsp; Dr. Healy has extensive experience in teaching and directing educational programmes related to behavioural health (University of Delaware) and physical education (Humboldt State University). In 2020, Dr. Healy returned to Ireland to develop and chair a new MSc programme in Health and Social Inclusion in Dublin City University s School of Nursing, Psychotherapy, and Community Health. In 2023, Dr. Healy joined the University of Limerick s PESS Department. In addition to teaching, Dr. Healy supervises undergraduate and post-graduate research students. Currently, he supervises two PhD students researching physical activity, sedentary behaviourandnbsp;and health among adults with intellectual disabilities in college settings and residential settings. Dr Healy s research (outlined below) centers around advancing our understanding of and promoting a healthy balance of time within the 24-hour movement behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep), especially among marginalisedandnbsp;groups, such as those with disabilities. Moreover, he utilises experimental methods to assess digital health interventions to promote physical activity and motor skill development. Dr. Healy is the Associate Editor of Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly.

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 1 - No Poverty
  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 4 - Quality Education
  • SDG 5 - Gender Equality
  • SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
  • SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

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