Meet our Speakers

Prof Déirdre Daly

Director of Trinity Centre for Maternity Care Research

Déirdre Daly is Professor in Midwifery at Trinity College Dublin and Director of the Trinity Centre for Maternity Care Research. Déirdre leads the longitudinal Maternal health And Maternal Morbidity in Ireland (MAMMI) study and related projects, including national service evaluations. She is dedicated to translating research into policy and practice to improve maternity services and maternal health outcomes. Deirdre has engaged with national and EU policy, serving on committees addressing maternal mortality and maternal morbidity. She has contributed to EU working groups and provided expertise for the European Commission on midwifery education.

  Webinar: 10th September 2025
  Influencing Policy and Changing Practice through Research 

Mr Michael Foley

Civic Engagement and Social Innovation

Michael Foley is the Civic Engagement for Societal Impact Manager at Trinity College Dublin, with a focus on fostering connections between research and external communities such as policymakers. He previously managed Trinity’s PPI Ignite Office, promoting public and patient involvement in health research, and was a Research & Development Officer at the Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability. He has coordinated research modules at Maynooth University and worked for many years in the NGO sector, including at Age & Opportunity and the public sector in the National Disability Authority. Michael’s expertise is in applied social research centres on research translation and impact, especially in bridging research, policy, and practice.

  Webinar: 2nd October 2025
  Engaging with Policy Makers

Professor Catherine Comiskey

Professor Of Healthcare Modelling

Professor Catherine Comiskey is a leading expert in healthcare statistics and public policy, with a focus on substance use, child wellbeing, and innovation. She has served as Vice Chair and Chair of the EU’s Scientific Committee for the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (2017–2024) and was invited to advise the UN’s World Drug Report in 2024. She has also advised Ireland’s National Drug Strategy Implementation Committee, Oversight Forum on Drugs, and National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol. Catherine is Professor of Healthcare Modelling, Global Addiction and Transformation at Trinity College Dublin, with extensive experience in research translation and impact.

   Webinar: 6th November 2025
   Win/Win: Using Research to Enhance the Policy to Practice Reciprocal  Process

Ms Áine Griffin

Director of Trinity Communications

Áine Griffin is an experienced communications professional and currently serves as Director of Trinity Communications. With over 25 years in public service, Áine has played a key role in shaping policy through strategic communications and public engagement. As Head of Communications for Project Ireland 2040, she established InfraNet, a forum fostering constructive policy dialogue that informed the revised National Development Plan. Her leadership in the Commission on Taxation and Welfare’s public consultation ensured inclusive, transparent policy-making. Áine’s work exemplifies the vital link between communication, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-informed policy development.

   Webinar: 4th December 2025
   Knowledge to Power: Insights from a Career in Public Service

Stay tuned for the full lineup coming this September!