Dr. Kathleen Mc Tiernan
Assistant Professor, Clin Speech & Language Studies
Biography
Dr Kathleen McTiernan is a Chartered Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland (C.Psychol.,Ps.S.I.) is an Assistant Professor in Psychology in the School of Linguistic Speech and Communication Sciences, Trinity College Dublin.
Dr McTiernan is the Director of Postgraduate Teaching and Learning in the School of Linguistics Speech and Communication Sciences, and was a member of the Board of Directors of Trinity College Dublin (2018-2022).
Dr McTiernan's research on language, communication and swallowing addresses psychological and social issues, with particular focus on education and wellbeing.
Professor McTiernan holds a BA from Georgetown University, an MSc. from Case Western Reserve University and an MPhil, MA(jo) and PhD from Trinity College Dublin.
Publications and Further Research Outputs
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Gilheaney, O. Hussey, J. & McTiernan, K., The Lived Experiences of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Adults Living with Fibromyalgia, Health expectations, 27, (1), 2024, p1 - 10
Gilheaney, Orla & Rogers, Naomi & McTiernan, Kathleen, Exploring the lived experiences and perspectives of individuals with communication and swallowing difficulties associated with Long-COVID., Advances in Communication and Swallowing., 27, (1), 2024, p1-16
Gilheaney, Ó, Costello, C. & McTiernan, K., Surveying the international prevalence and nature of eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties in adults presenting with Fibromyalgia., Dysphagia, 2024, p1-10
Physical signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia-associated dysphagia in, editor(s)Gilheaney, Órla & McTiernan, Kathleen , The handbook of eating, drinking and swallowing problems in Adults with fibromyalgia, Hampshire, UK, J & R Press, 2023, pp7 - 11, [Gilheaney, Órla, Costello, Catherine. & McTiernan, Kathleen]
Exploring the lived experience of fibromyalgia and eating, drinking, and swallowing problems in, editor(s)Gilheaney, Órla & McTiernan, Kathleen , The handbook of eating, drinking and swallowing problems in Adults with fibromyalgia, J & R Press, 2023, pp13 - 21, [McTiernan, Kathleen, Hussey, Joeann, Gavigan, Rhianne & Gilheaney, Órla ]
Strategies for living well with fibromyalgia associated dysphagia in, editor(s)Gilheaney, Órla & McTiernan, Kathleen , The handbook of eating, drinking and swallowing problems in Adults with fibromyalgia, Hampshire, UK, J & R Press, 2023, pp23 - 33, [McTiernan, Kathleen, McNamara, Mathilde & Gilheaney, Órla]
Gilheaney, Órla & McTiernan, Kathleen, The handbook of eating, drinking and swallowing problems in adults with Fibromyalgia, Hampshire, UK, J & R Press, 2023, 1 - 69pp
Eating, drinking and swallowing problems experienced by people with fibromyalgia in, editor(s)Gilheaney, Órla & McTiernan, Kathleen , The handbook of eating, drinking and swallowing problems in Adults with fibromyalgia, Hampshire, UK, J & R Press, 2023, pp1 - 5, [McTiernan, Kathleen & Gilheaney, Órla]
Gilheaney, Ó. McIntyre, A. & McTiernan, K., The prevalence and nature of communication and swallowing difficulties among adults with Long-COVID., Advances in Communication and Swallowing, 2023
How can healthcare professionals support people with fibromyalgia associated dysphagia? in, editor(s)Gilheaney, Órla. & McTiernan, Kathleen. , The handbook of eating, drinking and swallowing problems in Adults with fibromyalgia, Hampshire, UK, J & R Press, 2023, pp35 - 42, [Gilheaney, Órla, Carroll, Ellen & McTiernan, Kathleen]
The future of collaborative care provision and research into fibromyalgia associated dysphagia in, editor(s)Gilheaney, Orla & McTiernan, Kathleen , The handbook of eating, drinking and swallowing problems in Adults with fibromyalgia, Hampshire, UK, J & R Press, 2023, pp43 - 54, [Gilheaney, Órla & McTiernan, Kathleen]
Conway, A.C., Gilheaney, Ó. McTiernan, K. & Walshe, M. , Validating a Novel Tongue Pressure Measurement Device: Research Challenges. (Session 32 Free papers 'Treatment'), Dysphagia, 30, (2), 2022, p242 - 244
Multilingual Practices in Primary Education in Europe: A Scoping Review in, editor(s)Carson, Lorna, Chung Kam Kwok and Caroline Smyth , Language and Identity in Europe: The Multilingual City and its Citizens, Oxford, Peter Lang, 2020, pp125 - 144, [McTiernan, Kathleen, Aoife Parkes and Lorna Carson]
Quarry, L. & McTiernan, K. , Developmental transitioning in education: Does the communication ability of adolescents on the autistic spectrum impact experience? , IASLT Biennial Conference, Dublin, 17 May, 2019
Quigley, D., Smith, M., McTiernan, K., Evaluating the impact of a universal language enrichment programmes in an area of low SES, IASLT Biennial Conference, Dublin, 16/05/2019, 2019
Quarry, L. & McTiernan, K. , Developmental transitioning in education: Does the communication ability of adolescents on the autistic spectrum impact experience? , Psychological Society of Ireland Annual Conference , Wexford, Ireland, 08/11/2018, 2018
Brunton, J. and McTiernan, K. , Supporting Transitions in Education, 08/11/2018, In:Psychological Society of Ireland Annual Conference , 2018, Wexford, Ireland
McTiernan, K. , Supporting Transitions in Education: Educational Transitioning into Second Level and Higher Education for Adolescents on the Autistic Spectrum, Psychological Society of Ireland Annual Conference , Wexford, Ireland, 08/11/2018, 2018
Ceroni, A., McTiernan, K., La Morgia, F. , The vocabulary richness of children's television in Ireland: A cross-generational comparison., The Journal of the Irish Association of Applied Linguistics, 25, 2018, p138 - 153
McTiernan, K., Sourcing Coping Mechanisms from the Past: Using the Life Histories Archive as a Resource for Building Resilience in Today's Uncertain World. , Psychological Society of Ireland Annual Conference, Limerick , 08/11/2017, 2017
Sheehy, A., McTiernan, K, Walsh , I.P. , Communication and the Adult with ADHD: Duties & Dilemmas in the Workplace , Creating the Future Now: Advancing Research and Clinical Practice, 30th World Congress IALP, Dublin Ireland , August 21-25 2016 , 2016
Ni Dhufaigh, N. McTiernan, K. & Leahy, M., Does Students' Knowledge of Acquired Neurological Conditions Influence their Future Careers Preferences: A Survey of Irish SLT Students? , Creating the Future Now: Advancing Research and Clinical Practice. 30th World Congress IALP, Dublin, August 21-25 2016 , 2016
Conway A, Gilheaney O, McTiernan K, Walshe M, Validating a Novel Tongue Pressure Measurement Device: Research challenges , Dysphagia , European Society of Swallowing Disorders Congress, Brussels, Belgium, Oct 23rd 25th 2014, 30, 2015, pp242-
Storied Lives: Connecting Life Course Narrative Identities and Eudaimonic Happiness in Later Life. in, A. Nicolas & I. Flaherty , Growing Up, Growing Old: Trajectories of Times and Lives., Oxford, Oxford Inter-Disciplinary Press, 2013, pp151 - 174, [O'Donnell, D. & McTiernan, K.]
McTiernan, K., Knowing What We Know: Competencies, Careers, Education and Society , 17 April, 2013, In:Knowing What We Know: Competencies, Careers, Education and Society , 2013
McTiernan, K. , The role of higher education in developing discipline specific ways of knowing and discipline neutral transferrable competencies, . Knowing What We Know: Competencies, Careers, Education and Society Symposium, Trinity College Dublin, 17 April, 2013
McTiernan, K. , The meaningful life: Constructing eudaimonic happiness in later life through storytelling, Center for Social Concerns, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, February 2012, 2012
McTiernan, K. & O'Donnell, D. , Reflections in Context: The Creation of Life Meaning and Wellbeing through Reminiscence and Generativity, 7th Biennial International Meaning Conference July 26-29, 2012, Toronto, Canada., Toronto, Canada, July 26-29, 2012
O'Donnell, D & McTiernan, K. , Connecting narrative complexity, ego integrity and later life eudaimonic well-being through an exploration of personal stories of self. , 7th Biennial International Meaning Conference , Toronto, Canada, July 26-29 , 2012
Quinn, A. Leahy, M. & McTiernan, K. (2012), Evaluating language assessments with members of the travelling community. , Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, 18, 2012, p1 - 16
McTiernan, K., The Life Histories Digital Archive: Narratives facilitating intergenerational knowledge exchange, Center for Social Concerns, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, 2012
McTiernan, K., The importance of reminiscence in the creation of intergenerational knowledge exchange: Recapturing the art of storytelling in Ireland., Life Histories Archive:A digital exhibition of the autobiographical narratives of older women and men, The Long Room Hub, Trinity College Dublin, May, 2012, 2012
McTiernan, K. , Life Histories Archive: A digital exhibition of the autobiographical narratives of older women and men, 29 May , 2012
McTiernan, K. , 'Life Histories Archive', 2012, -
Molloy, J., Flynn, E., McTiernan, K. & O'Leary, D. , Influence of television viewing on vocabulary development in children under five years of age, IASLT Biennial Conference, Dublin Ireland, 24-25 November , 2011
O'Donnell, D. & McTiernan, K. , Local stories in global contexts: An exploration of the construction of eudaimonic happiness in later life through the scaffolding of life stories onto wider social ad cultural narrative frames, Ageing Globally, Ageing Locally, Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI), Dublin Ireland, November 2011, 2011
McTiernan, K. & O'Donnell, D. , The Life Histories Archive: Exchanging knowledge of the lived life, Ageing Globally, Ageing Locally, Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI) , Dublin Ireland, November 2011, 2011
Storied Lives: An Exploration of Life Course Narrative Identities and the Factors Linked to Happiness in Later Life. in, editor(s)Blatterer, H. & Glahn, J. , Times of Our Lives: Making Sense of Growing Up & Growing Old , Interdisciplinary Press, 2010, pp145 - 159, [O'Donnell, D. & McTiernan, K. ]
Li-Rong Lilly Cheng, Fernanda Dreux M Fernandes, Claudia RF de Andrade, Debora M Befi-Lopes, Haydée F Wertzner, Suelly CO Limongi, Kyoko Iitaka, Kiyoshi Otomo, Helen Grech, MM Leahy, K McTiernan, MM Smith, Dobrinka Georgieva, Hilde Chantrain, P Sloane, IP Walsh, M Walshe, C Ni Cholmain, Revised IALP Education Guidelines (September 1, 2009): IALP Guidelines for Initial Education in Speech-Language Pathology, Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica, 62, 2010, p210 - 216
Leahy,M., McTiernan, K., Smith, MM,, Sloane, P,. Walsh, I,, Walshe, M,, Ni Cholmain, C. , Foundation studies in education for therapy practice: curriculum updating, Folia Phoniatrica et Logopedica: Special Education Issue., 62, (2), 2010, p255 - 259
McTiernan, K. & Garry, J, What Makes People Happy? An Exploration of the Links between Happiness and Lifestyle Factors across the Lifespan, International Positive Psychology Association First World Congress on Positive Psychology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May, 2009
O'Donnell, D. & McTiernan, K., Narrative biography and the construction of happiness in later life. , International Positive Psychology Association First World Congress on Positive Psychology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , May, 2009
Sloane, P. & McTiernan, K., Vocal symptoms and stress in student teachers. , Choice for Voice 2008: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Performance, Health and Research in Voice. The British Voice Association, London, 2008
The 'triple jump' assessment in problem based learning: An evaluative method used in the appraisal of both knowledge acquisition and problem solving skills in, editor(s)G. O'Neill, S. Huntley-Moore, and P. Race , Case Studies of Good Practice in Assessment of Student earning in Higher Education, Dublin, AISHE, 2007, pp116 - 119, [K. McTiernan, M. Leahy, I.P. Walsh, P. Sloane, M. Smith]
Examining students' clinical skills: Assessment of the 'unseen' client in a speech and language therapy clinic in, editor(s)G. O'Neill, S. Huntley-Moore, and P. Race , Case Studies of Good Practices in Assessment of Student Learning in Higher Education, Dublin, AISHE, 2007, pp16 - 20, [I.P. Walsh, K. McTiernan, and M. Leahy]
McTiernan, K., The use of the "one minute paper" in the evaluation of a problem based learning psychology course: Can outcomes be measured using this evaluation method? , 114th American Psychological Association Convention, New Orleans, August, 2006
Leahy, M.M., Dodd, B.J., Walsh, I.P. and Murphy (McTiernan) K., "Education for practice in the UK and Ireland: Implementing problem based learning", Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica, 58, 2006, p48 - 54
McTiernan, K., Leahy, M., Walsh, I.P. , Evaluation of problem based learning through the use of intermittent, semi-structured feedback surveys: Are course learning outcomes being met?, Linkopings Universitet, Lonkoping, Sweden, May, 2006
Leahy, M.M., Delaney, C.M, Murphy, K., Student clinicians' preferences for (not) working with stuttering, Proceedings of the Fourth World Congress of Fluency Disorders, 4th World Congress of the International Fluency Association, Montreal, Canada, July, Nijmegen University Press, 2004, pp539 - 545
Sloane, P., Murphy, K., Stress and vocal attrition in student teachers, The Psychological Society of Ireland Division of Health Psychology Conference, Psychology, Health and Medicine, Galway, April, 2004
Murphy, K., Psychology and problem based learning: First, second and third year student perceptions of this innovative education method compared, 26th Annual National Institute on the teaching of psychology, St. Petersburg Beach, Florida, USA,, January, 2004
Murphy, K., Psychology and Problem Based Learning: Do student's Perceptions of the Advantages and Disadvantages of PBL Change?, Psychology Learning and Teaching Conference, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, April, 2004
Murphy K., Student perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages of problem based learning., Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, 14, 2004, p64 - 76
Murphy, K.(ed.), 4th Anual International Research Conference of the School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies (TCD) Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education and Technology, Education decisions at third level: a study of the factors which influence choices, Dublin, Ireland, 2003
Gerry Shiel, Ursula Ni Dhalaigh (ed.), Psychological profiles of mature third level students with dyslexia. Other Ways of Seeing: Diversity in Language and Literacy, Proceedings of the 12th European Conference on Reading, Dublin City University, 2, July, Reading Association of Ireland , 2003, 32-37 p
Murphy, K., Psychology and problem based learning: Advantages and disadvantages of innovation, Teaching Pedagogy. American Psychological Association 111th Annual Convention, Toronto, Canada, July, 2003
Murphy, K.(ed.), 3rd Annual International Research Conference Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education and Technology, Nursing as a career choice: A study of the decision making factors which influence the trajectory, Trinity College Dublin, November, 2002
Murphy, K., Level of education and global self worth of women in midlife, The British Psychological Society Northern Ireland Branch Annual Conference, 2002
Murphy, K., Nursing as a career choice: A study of the decision making factors which influence the trajectory, 3rd Annual International Research Conference Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education and Technology, Trinity College Dublin, November, 2002
Murphy, K.(ed.), 12th European Conference on Reading, Psychological profiles of mature third level students with dyslexia. Other Ways of Seeing: Diversity in Language and Literacy, 2001
Murphy, K., Women and education in Ireland: Factors linked to the cessation of formal education in adolescence and re-entry into formal education in midlife, Oideas, 49, 2001, p56 - 65
Research Expertise
Description
My research in the psychology of language and communication consists of the following interlinked strands: (1) the psychosocial aspects of speech, language, communication and swallowing and (2) multilingual education and wellbeing. I have published on these topics in peer reviewed international journals and my research is internationally recognised. The outcomes of my research have shaped education policy and service provision and they have contributed to wider academic debates and practical improvements in educational and healthcare settings in Ireland and internationally.Projects
- Title
- INCLUDEED
- Summary
- INCLUDEED ("Social cohesion and INclusion: DEveloping the EDucational possibilities of the European Multilingual Heritage") is a multilingual project whose main objective is the integration of immigrant and refugee groups in Europe through one of Europe's main assets: its languages. It involves the participation of leading universities in Applied Linguistic and language teaching. The consortium has previous joint experience in creating high quality materials for the use with groups at risk of exclusion. This project has the inclusion of disadvantaged groups as a central aim of its actions. With this, it responds directly to the priority "Social inclusion", and does so with an innovative approach in two ways: on the one hand, it addresses the sociolinguistic and cultural integration of groups of immigrants and refugees who already have basic linguistic skills in the host language. It is therefore a further step in their process of adaptation to the new environment, acquiring very important skills in the development of their professional and personal activities.
- Funding Agency
- European Commission
- Date From
- 2021
- Date To
- 2024
- Title
- BAQONDE
- Summary
- BAQONDE (Boosting the Use of African Languages in Education. A Qualified Organized Nationwide DEvelopment Strategy for South Africa) is collaborative project between European and South African Higher Education Institutions to facilitate and promote the use of indigenous African languages as mediums of instruction in tertiary education. Co-funded by the EU's ERASMUS+ Capacity Building in Higher Education programme, BAQONDE aims to guarantee a more (linguistically) inclusive and legitimate access to Higher Education by means of a coordinated inter-institutional strategy that seeks to train lecturers in the use of innovative multilingual teaching methodologies, develop new materials to both train teachers and teach multilingually, and establish a collaboratory network of African Language Development Units (ALDUs) among SA partners. This network of ALDUs will establish an inter-institutional (nationwide) strategy to: 1.Develop and implement a training program (including SA-EU mobilities) for a core group of lecturers from different disciplines to master context-relevant multilingual pedagogies 2.Lead the production of digital subject-relevant multilingual materials for lecturers and students. These resources will be accessible from the project website to optimize the production/usage of materials in different disciplines/languages and harmonize multilingual teaching standards 3. Guarantee a culture of quality during the project and after its subsequent expansion. By fostering a culture of quality and coordinated cooperation, BAQONDE seeks to generate a major short-term impact in the teaching-learning process that will enable a greater long-term impact with far-reaching implications: the intellectualization of previously marginalized languages. This is in line with both the priorities of the country and the principles of equity, as it entails a better assimilation of contents and a greater development of professional competences by L1 African (Bantu) students.
- Funding Agency
- European Commission
- Date From
- 2021
- Date To
- 2024
- Title
- VirtuLApp
- Summary
- The VirtuLApp project is delivered by an international consortium, comprising the Fryske Akademy/Mercator Research Centre (The Netherlands), ATiT (Belgium), Luca School of Arts (Belgium), Trinity College Dublin (Ireland) and Universidad del Pais Vasco (Spain). Together, we are developing an innovative multididactic approach which teachers can use in the classroom in any multilingual situation. The needs of teachers (more knowledge about and tools for multilingual education, integration of migrant languages and lesser language separation) will be addressed with the development of a multi-player augmented and virtual reality app about multilingual education and the development of a digital handbook and toolkit with video-based documentation of best-practices of schools already using the heteroglossic approach in the classroom.
- Funding Agency
- European Commission
- Date From
- 01-09-2018
- Date To
- 31-08-2021
- Title
- Multilingualism and Language Learning: 'Cross-Language Dynamics: Reshaping Community'
- Summary
- This research project forms part of a large-scale research initiative 'Cross-Language Dynamics: Reshaping Community', an AHRC-Funded OWRI Programme, based at the University of Manchester, and in collaboration with the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Its focus is the intersection between multilingualism, language learning and higher education. The constantly increasing voluntary and forced mobility of people resulting from the forces of globalisation and political instabilities in various regions are having a dramatic impact on the linguistic make up of many nation-states, especially in Europe. New forms of linguistic diversity and multilingualism are emerging, involving different linguistic practices. These developments may result in changing attitudes towards multilingualism and in different views about the learning of other languages (e.g., which and how?). To date these issues received limited attention in the context of higher education. As universities play a key role in the preparation of the next generation of global citizens, it is important to examine students' linguistic profiles, language attitudes and language learning experiences as well as to gauge their language learning needs to operate successfully in the linguistically diverse and complex environments created by globalisation.
- Funding Agency
- AHRC
- Date From
- 2016
- Date To
- 2019
- Title
- Life Long Learning in Applied Fields
- Summary
- This project is a European Commission funded TEMPUS project. The project is focused on implementations of Lifelong Learning in applied health related fields.
- Funding Agency
- European Commission
- Date From
- 2013
- Date To
- 2016
- Title
- Knowing What We Know: Paradigmns of Knowledge Creation and Diversity in Problem Solving Approaches
- Summary
- Irish Research Council funded project to investigate how different groups of students from different disciplines at Trinity College Dublin create knowledge and approach problems solving.
- Funding Agency
- Irish Research Council
- Date From
- 2012
- Date To
- 2013
- Title
- The Life Histories Archive: Exchanging Knowledge of the Lived Life
- Summary
- The Life Histories Archive is a digital collection of autobiographies written by Irish women and men, over the age of 70, living in Dublin and Belfast.
- Funding Agency
- Irish Research Council
- Date From
- 2010
- Date To
- 2012
Recognition
Representations
Chartered Psychologist, Psychological Society of Ireland (C.Psychol.,Ps.S.I.)
Psychological Society of Ireland, Invited expert member of the working group that developed the national professional practice guidelines for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - assessment, diagnosis, formulation and treatment child & adult
Psychological Society of Ireland, Steering Committee, Division of Academics, Teachers, and Researchers in Psychology
National Contribution to Teaching and Learning Excellence: Educational Psychologist Consultant for the Development of Degree Programme NUIG. By invitation of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapy (IASLT) and the National University of Ireland Galway, I reviewed the curriculum of the Bachelors in Speech and Language Therapy (NUIG). As the Consultant Psychologist on the accreditation team, I advised the Committee on issues relating to both the structure and design of the degree course.
Awards and Honours
First Place Prize Digital Product Gold Award for VirtuLApp BabelAR: A collaborative game for any (multilingual) classroom. Digital Product Gold Award, Henry van de Velde. The Henry van de Velde Awards showcases projects, products and services that demonstrate the added value of design in its most varied aspects.
Second Place Prize European Language Label Awards, European Talen Label, for Babblar Game App. The European Language Label is an award encouraging the development of new techniques and initiatives in the field of language teaching and learning, as well as the enhancement of intercultural awareness across Europe.The Virtual Language app project , a European initiative aimed at welcoming and utilizing multilingualism in (primary) education. The project consists of two digital components: an online toolkit for teachers and an augmented reality (AR) multiplayer game for students.
First Place Prize for Best Presentation, The Irish Association of Speech & Language Therapists (IASLT) Biannual Conference 2021.
Provost's Teaching Award Commendation for Excellence in Curriculum Design
Provost's Teaching Award Commendation for Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Who's Who in Histories and Humanities Award
Visiting Fellow University of Notre Dame, South Bend Indiana
Provost's Teaching Award Commendation for Teaching Excellence
Memberships
Psychological Society of Ireland Chartered Member (C.Psychol.,Ps.S.I.)
American Psychological Association International Affiliate Member
European Educational Research Association
International Association of Language and Social Psychology
Educational Studies Association of Ireland
Psychological Society of Ireland Division of Academics, Teachers and Researchers
American Psychological Association