Biography
Dr. Esther Murphy is Principal Investigator for two research projects with a focus on digital inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities based at School of Engineering's Robotics and Innovation Lab. 1) EIT Health funded "Digi-ID: accessible digital skills education programme for people with intellectual disabilities" (Two Education Innovation Awards; 2021; 2022-24) 2) IRC New Foundations study "Questions of Inclusion; what inclusion means for people with intellectual disabilities".
Research interests include: digital inclusion, user centred design, accessibility, social inclusion and person-centred planning, mental health & well being and inclusive education across the life cycle.
Esther holds a PhD in Disability Studies and MA in Intercultural Studies from Dublin City University. Esther has 15 years experience in social science, disability health and inclusive technology research, teaching and practice in academia and non-governmental sectors. Esther has designed and led as P.I several EU and national inclusive multidisciplinary research projects with awards in excess of 2.5 million and has 45+ peer reviewed journal publications. Previously at the Centre for Inclusive Technology and TCD's School of Education Esther was Co-PI for an Erasmus + 2 year funded project 'Digital Champions in Europe' which led to the co-creation of a peer support platform for people with disabilities to enhance digital literacy and competence with assistive technologies. Esther also previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher at TCD's School of Education, supervising Masters in Special Education students and leading a range of inclusive education events; such as, the HEA funded inaugural digital inclusion workshop for students with visual impairment. Esther has also worked as P.I. for two Association for Higher Education Access & Disability (AHEAD) funded national projects; Giving voice to blind and visually impaired students transition experiences, addressing gaps in policy and provision (2014) and Mental Health Matters: Mapping Best Practices in Higher Education (2016) with the National Learning Network. Esther has also lectured and designed Research Methods modules for the Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Esther joined Trinity Centre for Ageing & Intellectual Disability in 2017 where she contributed to a number of national projects; HRB funded systematic review of the impact of desinstitutionalization on quality of life and costs for people with intellectual disabilities and NDA funded study on the impact of person centred planning on achieving social integration goals. Most recently Esther led a statistical analysis study of IDS-TILDA data to explore the relationship between technology and social inclusion. She worked on a partnership project with Stewarts Care Services to evaluate the use of a navigation app (WayToB) for adults with intellectual disabilities to enhance health and social inclusion outcomes.
Publications and Further Research Outputs
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Keogh, B., Murphy, E., Doyle, L., Sheaf, G., Watts, M. & Higgins, A., Mental Health Service Users Experiences of Medication Discontinuation: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies , Journal of Mental Health, 31, (2), 2022, p227 - 238
Chadwick, D., Ågren, K.A., Caton, S., Chiner, E., Danker, J.,Gomez-Puerta, M., Heitplatz, V., Johansson, S.,Normand, C. L., Murphy, E., Plichta, P., Strnadova,I., & Wallén, E. F, Digital inclusion andparticipation of people with intellectual disabilitiesduring COVID-19: A rapid review andinternational bricolage., Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, (Special Issue), 2022, p1 - 15
Murphy, E., Dennehy, H., Bakker, A., Oppewal, A., Bowman, S. and Burke, E., Promoting engagement during a pandemic, advancing the health andwellbeing of individuals with intellectual disabilities, IASSIDD 6th European Congress, Value Diversity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 5th - 8th July 2021, 2021, IASSIDD
Burke E, Dennehy H, Bakker A, Bowman S, Murphy E, Maes-Festen D., McCallion, P., McCarron, M, and Oppewal A., The Methodological Approach to the Co-Creation of Online Health Education with and for Individuals with Intellectual Disability, Global Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, 7, (5), 2021
McCausland, D., Luus, R., McCallion, P., Murphy, E., & McCarron, M., The impact of COVID-19 on the social inclusion of older adults with an intellectual disability during the first wave of the pandemic in Ireland, Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 2021
Murphy, E., McCausland, D., Korfage, I., Flygare Wallen, E., Koster, R., McCallion, P., & McCarron, M., Digi-ID: Digital Skills education to support better health and well being and social inclusion outcomes for adults with intellectual disabilities (ID), Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference 2021 (THEconf2021): 'Transforming healthcare in a changing world: new ways of thinking and working', Dublin, 9th - 11th March, 2021
McCausland, D., McCallion, P., Murphy, E., Luus, R., & McCarron, M., The impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the social inclusion and well-being of older people with an intellectual disability in Ireland, Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference 2021 (THEconf2021): 'Transforming healthcare in a changing world: new ways of thinking and working', Dublin, 9th - 11th March, 2021
Watts, M. Murphy, E., Keogh, B., Downes, C., Doyle, L., Higgins, A., Deciding to discontinue prescribed psychotropic medication: a qualitative study of service users' experiences, International Journal of Mental Health Nursing , 30, (SI), 2021, p1395 - 1406
Burke, EA., Bowman, S., Murphy, E., Oppewal, A., McCallion, P., and McCarron M., Get Wise About Your Health, Supporting people with intellectual disability to be health savvy: Sharing preliminary findings from public engagement and involvement in research , Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference: Integrated Health Care Developing Integrated Person-Centered Health Systems, TheConfo2020, Trinity College Dublin, 2020
Murphy, E. Donohue, G. McCann, E., Exploring mental health issues through the use of blogs: a scoping review of the research evidence, Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 41, 2020, p296 - 305
Murphy, E., McCausland, D., McCallion, P., & McCarron, M. , Technology use and social inclusion for older adults with an intellectual disability in Ireland., Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference: Integrated Health Care Developing Integrated Person-Centered Health Systems, TheConfo2020, Dublin, 3rd - 5th March, 2020
McCausland, D, Murphy, E, McCallion, P, McCarron, M, Assessing the impact of person‐centred planning on community integration for adults with intellectual disabilities in Ireland , National Disability Authority, February, 2019
McCarron M, Lombard-Vance R, Murphy E, O'Donovan MA, Webb N, Sheaf G, McCallion P, Stancliffe R, Normand C, Smith V, May P, Quality of life outcomes and costs associated with moving from congregated settings to community living arrangements for people with intellectual disability: An evidence review, Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference 2019 in Dublin, Ireland, Trinity College, 8-9 March , 2019
Murphy, E, "Championing the Strengths of Neurodiverse Learners and the Power of Peer Support", The Strengths of Dyslexia: Entrepreneurship & Neurodiversity Symposium , Stanford University;Stanford Schwab Learning Center, UCSF Dyslexia Center & Stanford Neurodiversity Project Collaboration, 14th March, 2019
Murphy, E.,McCausland, D., Carroll, R., McCallion, P., McCarron, M., Exploring the relationship between technology usage & social inclusion for older adults with intellectual disabilities in Ireland, IASSIDD World Congress , Glasgow, 6-9 August 2019 , 2019
Murphy, E, McCann, E, Donohue, G, "Using blogs as a methodology in mental health research: a systematic review of research evidence", Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference , Trinity College Dublin, 8-9 March 2019, 2019
Murphy, E, McCausland, D, Carroll, R., McCallion, P. McCarron, M., Technology use and social inclusion for older adults with an intellectual disability:Lessons learnt from the IDS-TILDA study, DOCTRID V: "Transitions across the Lifespan for People Living with Autism and/or Intellectual Disability", Galway, September 21, 2019
McCarron M, Lombard-Vance R, Murphy E, May P, Webb N, Sheaf G, McCallion P, Stancliffe R, Normand C, Smith V, O'Donovan MA, Effect of deinstitutionalisation on quality of life for adults with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review, BMJ Open, 2019
McCarron M, Lombard-Vance R, Murphy E, O'Donovan MA, Webb N, Sheaf G, McCallion P, Stancliffe R, Normand C, Smith V, May P, Quality of life outcomes and costs associated with moving from congregated settings to community living arrangements for people with intellectual disability: An evidence review, Dublin, Health Research Board, September, 2018, 94
"Supporting students with mental health difficulties in higher education" in, editor(s)Coleman, R. M., Shevlin,, M. , Postsecondary Educational Opportunities for Students with Special Education Needs, Routledge, 2018, [Murphy, E]
McCarron M, Lombard-Vance R, Murphy E, O'Donovan MA, Webb N, Sheaf G, McCallion P, Stancliffe R, Normand C, Smith V, May P. , Quality of life outcomes and costs associated with moving from congregated settings to community living arrangements for people with intellectual disability: An evidence review, Dublin, HRB, 2018
Murphy, E, "Responding to the needs of students with mental health difficulties in higher education: an Irish perspective", European Journal of Special Needs Education, 32, (1), 2017
Murphy, E, Heelan, A, "Mental Health Matters: Mapping Best Practices in Higher Education". , AHEAD Educational Press, AHEAD Educational Press, UCD, November, 2016
Resch, Katharina & Fritz, Judith & Uras, Francesca & Dima, Gabriel & Borcos, Alina & Miret Marti, Jordi & Martínez, Isabel & Gomes, Isabel & Coimbra, Joaquim Luís & Amorim, José Pedro & Menezes, Isabel & Rodrigues, Fernanda & Neves, Tiago & Politis, Yurgos & Murphy, Esther & Slowey, Maria & Bo ič, Tanja & Pučko, Simona & Volk, Mojca & Jan ekovič, Petja. (2016). , UNIBILITY: USR-Toolkit of Practices., 2016
Németh,B, Slowey, M, Murphy, E, COMMIT-Committing to the social dimension in universities: learning activity, 48th Eucen Conference- Crossing borders through lifelong learning - enhancing quality and equity in higher education, Dublin City University, School of Nursing and Health Sciences., 01-03 June, 2016, 2016
Murphy, E., Magennis, M., "DigiPlace4all: Peer Support for Inclusive Education". , AHEAD's Annual Conference 2015. UDL: A Licence to Learn, Dublin Castle, 19-20th March 2015, 2015, 2015
Maggenis, M., Murphy, E., et al., "DigiPlace4all- Online peer support community for digital skills", Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 217, 2015, p235 - 240
Murphy, E, "Showcasing DigiPlace4all as opportunity to link disability organizations to create a sustainable online peer support community for people with disabilities, educators and employers", National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Annual Conference, . , Croke Park, Dublin, November 2015, 2015
Murphy, E, "Giving voice to blind and visually impaired students transition experiences, addressing gaps in policy provision", Higher Education Authority, Dublin, Higher Education Authority, Dublin, 2015
Murphy, E, "Student Voices: Listening to blind/visually impaired students' transition needs", Association for Higher Education Access & Disability, 2, 2015
Maggenis, M., Murphy, E., et al., "DigiPlace4all- Online peer support community for digital skills", Technology and Disability, 2015
Magennis, M., Murphy., E., et al, "Digiplace4All- Capturing the requirements of an online peer support community to help people with disabilities develop digital skills", e-Challenges, 2014, p1 - 8
Murphy, E, "Listening to adult learners" , Dublin City University's Higher Education Research Centre (HERC) seminar "What can we learn from research to better support adult learners in higher education?", Dublin City University, School of Nursing and Health Sciences., 2014, 2014
Murphy, E, , "DICE (Digital inclusion Champions in Europe) - A Peer Support Based Approach to Inclusion of Students with Disabilities in Mainstream Education" , "Into the Real World: What does the best higher education experience for a student with disability look like?" , Dublin Castle, 18 March 2014, 2014
Murphy, E., Meagher, B, "DigiPlace4all- Online peer support community for people with disabilities digital skills for education & employment", National Disability Authority Annual Conference, Croke Park Dublin, 29/11/2014, 2014
Murphy, E, "It's funny I felt much more stigmatized by my own home community": Investigating visually impaired migrants' experiences of unsupportive ethnic communiy", International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, 9, (1), 2013, p4 - 17
Murphy, E, Magennis., M., Shevlin, M, "Digital Inclusion and Students with Disabilities - Your Role in Exploiting the Opportunities and Avoiding the Dangers", AHEAD Annual Conference. "Is Universal Design in Education any of my Business?", Croke Park Dublin, 12-13 March 2013, 2013
Ireland in, editor(s)Urso, G Schuster, A , , Migration, Employment and Labour Market Integration Policies in the European Union, Brussels, IOM, 2013, [Devitt, C., Murphy, E.]
Gallagher, B., Murphy, E., Verstraten, P. , "SensAge: Developing an international network to address the needs of ageing people with vision and or hearing loss". , Centre for Vision and Vascular Science and Royal Hospitals 9th Alumni and Research Day, Queen's University, Belfast, September 2012, 2012
Murphy, E, "Unpacking migrants' 'cultural baggage': the case of the visually impaired migrant in Ireland", 7th International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences., Barcelona, Spain , June 2012, 2012
Murphy, E, "Unpacking the impact of "cultural baggage" for visually impaired migrants in Ireland", Disability Studies Conference, Lancaster University UK, 9-12 September 2012, 2012
Murphy, E, Working with Migrants with Sight Loss, NCBI News, 15, (2), 2012
Murphy, E, "Understanding "cultural baggage" for migrant with sight loss in Ireland", School of Health Sciences and Nursing, DCU Research Seminar Series., School of Health Sciences and Nursing, DCU , December 2011, 2011, School of Health Sciences and Nursing, DCU
Murphy, E, "Migrant networks, to connect or disconnect? The case of the visually impaired migrant in Ireland". , New Migrations, New Challenges: Trinity Immigration Initiative International., Trinity College Dublin, June 2010, 2010
Murphy, E, "Cultural perceptions of disability, migrant visually impaired voices", The 5th International Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Conference, Cambridge University, UK, 2-5 August 2010, 2010
Murphy, E, "The Multi-dimensional identity: The case of the Blind Immigrant in Ireland", The international Journal of Diversity in Organisations, Communities and Nations, 8, (5), 2009, p117 - 122
Murphy, E, "The multi-dimensional identity: The case of the blind immigrant in Ireland", The 8th International Conference on Diversity in Organisations, Communities and Nations, Montreal, Canada, June 2008, 2008
Murphy, E, "Bridging the gap between Migration Studies and Disability Studies: The Case of the Blind Immigrant in Ireland", Migration Studies in Ireland: An Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Conference, Trinity College Dublin., Trinity College Dublin., March 2008, 2008
Murphy, E, Voicing the experiences of visually impaired migrants in Ireland , NEW VOICES IN IRISH CRITICISM International Postgraduate Conference-Voicing Dissent, St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin, 20- 21 April 2007, 2007
Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications
Murphy, E, Social and digital inclusion for older adults with ID: Lessons learnt from the IDS TILDA study, National Advocacy Group Regional Training Event, Talbot hotel Carlow, 21/10/19, 2019
Murphy, E, "Our Lives: Our Way: Adults with Intellectual Disabilities as Innovators", Debating Ageing Series 'Ageing into the Future', Conway Lecture theatre at the Conway Institute at UCD, 29th May , 2019
Higgins, A., Murphy, E., Sheaf, G., Doyle, L. & Keogh, B., Mental Health Service Users' Experiences of Coming off Medication: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies, Trinity College Dublin , 2018
McCausland, D, Murphy, E, McCallion, P, McCarron, M, Assessing the impact of person‐centred planning on community integration for adults with intellectual disabilities in Ireland , IASSID European Congress, Athens, Greece, 2018
Murphy, E, "Mental Health Matters for International Students", ICOS Annual Seminar: Reaching out to International Students How can student counselling and wellbeing services become more accessible and inclusive?, Royal Irish Academy, Dublin, 15/06/17, 2017, ICOS
Murphy, E, "Mental Health Matters: How UDL benefits students with mental health difficulties in higher education", AHEAD Annual Conference, Croke Park Dublin, 13-14 March , 2017, AHEAD
Murphy, E, DigiPlace4all: Where are we now and future sustainability, DigiPlace4all Seminar: Enabling Access to Education and Employment - Digital strategies for sustainable community building, Marker Hotel, Grand Canal Dock, Dublin, 18/09/16, 2016
Murphy, E, "What about the needs of Migrants with Disabilities in Transition Planning?" , Trinity College Dublin's Symposium 'Transitioning to work for students with Disabilities", Trinity College Centre for Health Science, Trinity College Dublin, 25/06/16, 2016, Trinity College Dublin
Murphy, E, "Digital Inclusion: Access challenges for Blind/VI students accessing third level education". New Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning Post Workshop Report, Higher Education Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, 2013
Murphy, E, "'I never talk 'bout losin' my sight before': the unheard voices of the visually impaired migrants in Ireland", Trinity College Dublin's Disability Studies and Deaf Studies Seminar Series,, National Institute for Intellectual Disability, TCD, February 2012, 2012
Murphy, E, "Challenges and opportunities in working with migrant service users". , NCBI Rehabilitative Training Centre, Staff Development Information Session., NCBI Rehabilitative Training Centre, Dublin, July 2012, 2012, NCBI
Murphy, E, "Understanding the barriers and facilitators for delivering disability services for migrants in Ireland", DCU Lunchtime Research Seminar Series, Dublin City University. , DCU, May 2012, 2012
Research Expertise
Projects
- Title
- Digi-ID Plus
- Summary
- Interdisciplinary Pan EU 3 year programme to address the challenge of digital inclusion of people with accessibility needs.
- Funding Agency
- EIT Health
- Date From
- 1-01-22
- Date To
- 31-12-24
- Title
- Digi-ID- co creating digital skills education with and for people with intellectual disabilities
- Summary
- The Digi-ID is an interdisciplinary Pan- European project which aims to co-create an accessible digital skills education solution with and for people with intellectual disabilities.
- Funding Agency
- EIT Health
- Date From
- 7-1-21
- Date To
- 31-12-21
- Title
- Questions of Inclusion: what inclusion means for adults with an intellectual disability in Ireland (INCLU-ID)
- Summary
- A collaborative study involving the Trinity Centre of Ageing with an Intellectual Disability, the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers and the Inclusive Research Network will explore with adults with ID and with Inclusion Champions 'Questions of Inclusion'. Dr. Murphy(P.I) and co-researchers with ID will lead focus groups to (i) identify inclusion and exclusion experiences of people with ID; (ii) explore if/how/where/when people with ID want to be included; and (iii) identify the supports, in particular technology, needed to improve inclusion. Specific emphasis on investigating the role of technology for inclusion. World Café style workshops will also explore strategies and tools to support inclusion with multi-stakeholder Inclusion Champions.Approach . Inclusive: of adults with ID, has long term impact and sustainability by engaging them both as research subjects and as paid co-researchers, via recruitment with Partners. . Qualitative: a qualitative approach is best suited to in-depth exploration of the experiences and views of persons with ID. . Transformative: providing the data will foster a network to support follow-on applications that can improve social and digital inclusion for people with ID as they age.
- Funding Agency
- Irish Research Council
- Date From
- 1st May 2020
- Date To
- December 31st 2021
Recognition
Awards and Honours
EIT Health Education (P.I)
EIT Health Campus Award (P.I)
Irish Research Council New Foundations Award (P.I)
Enterprise Ireland DigiAcademy Feasibility Study (P.I)
Enterprise Ireland Travel Grant
Erasmus + Leonardo Life Long Learning Project Coordinator Grant
Erasmus + Leonardo Life Long Learning Project Coordinator Grant
EIT Health Citizen Engagement Booster Award
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Grant Scheme
Higher Education Authority Teaching and Learning Enhancement Seminar Grant