Skip to main content

Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

Menu Search


Trinity College Dublin By using this website you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with the Trinity cookie policy. For more information on cookies see our cookie policy.

      
Profile Photo

Professor Catherine Darker

Professor in Health Services Res (Public Health & Primary Care)
TALLAGHT HOSPITAL
      
Profile Photo

Professor Catherine Darker

Professor in Health Services Res (Public Health & Primary Care)
TALLAGHT HOSPITAL

 Catherine.Darker@tcd.ie

 3531896 8510


Associate Professor Catherine Darker is a Health Psychologist and her research interests lie in translating evidence into practice, in particular, using theories, evidence and methods for changing the behaviours of healthcare professionals, patients and the general public. This is known in Ireland and the UK as Implementation Science research. She has a particular expertise in applying and developing complex intervention methodology in the context of community based programmes and trials (including intervention design, outcome measurement, fidelity, feasibility, and process evaluation), for prevention related research (e.g., smoking cessation, alcohol, physical activity/sedentary behaviour). She has a proven track record in attracting research funds as PI or Co-Applicant (€2.5 million). She has been PI and Co-PI on funded research by the Health Research Board (HRB) to undertake public health studies relating to COVID-19; a pilot cluster randomized trial of a community-based smoking cessation intervention for disadvantaged women in Ireland, and a a peer-to-peer motivational interview intervention for smoking, alcohol and physical activity among at risk adolescents in low SES communities. Professor Darker is routinely commissioned by the Health Service Executive to conduct outcome and process type evaluations of national programmes and services. All of her research has a clearly defined Knowledge Exchange Dissemination plan with recommendations to change policy and practice in the prevention and management of a range of chronic conditions. She has served as Head of Discipline of Public Health & Primary Care. She is the Director of Postgraduate Teaching and Learning within the School of Medicine. She is a senior member of teaching teams and develops and delivers innovative curriculum's for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. She is an active member of the Psychological Society of Ireland (Chartered Health Psychologist) having held many roles within the governance of the Society. She is a member of the European Health Psychology Society. She was an inaugural member of the Healthy Ireland Council, and a Member of the Expert Committee on Prevention within the Irish Cancer Society. She is a strong advocate for the just and equitable distribution of and access to healthcare services. She has over 100 peer reviewed publications (h-index 20) and supervises and examines PhD and Masters students. In 2024, she was elected as Fellow of Trinity College Dublin.
  Addiction research - alcohol   Addiction research - cocaine   Addiction research - opiates   Addictions   Alcohol/Alcoholism   Applied Psychology   Area & Population Studies/Services   Behavior Modification   Behavioral/Experimental Psychology   Behavioral/Social Studies/Services/Other   Behavioural change interventions   Counseling/Guidance   Demography   Drugs/Drug Abuse   Health attitudes and behaviour   Health outcomes   Health policy   Health psychology   HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH   Health status and inequalities   IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH   Inner-City   Population based intervention trials   Population Studies   Population Studies--Developing Countries   Poverty and the Poor   Primary care   Prison   Psychology   Psychometrics   Public health   Public Planning/Policy   QUALITATIVE RESEARCH   Smoking Behavior   Social Services Delivery   Social/Behavioral Science Planning/Policy   Socioeconomics   Substance Abuse   Surveys & Survey Research
Project Title
 Development of an evaluation (process and outcomes) Toolkit to support the implementation of the Healthy Campus Charter and Framework
From
15.01.2024
To
14.07.2024
Summary
A "Healthy Campus" has its roots in the `Okanagan Charter" which encourages higher educational institutional (HEIs) to integrate health and wellbeing into all aspects of campus life including policies, practices and the curriculum. In Ireland, the `Higher Education Healthy Campus Charter and Framework" is the national policy which describes Healthy Campuses. The aim of this project is to develop a Toolkit to support the implementation of the Healthy Campus Charter and Framework in Ireland. This Toolkit will include process and outcome indicators; a self-review tool; and a set of resources to support HEIs in implementing, monitoring and evaluating the Healthy Campus Charter and Framework. The team is led by Trinity College Dublin in partnership with Munster Technological University, University College Cork and University of Limerick, which all have considerable experience with implementing `Healthy Campuses". Firstly, we will conduct a rapid review of existing self-assessment Tools which are in use internationally, which will identify indicative process and outcome indicators. We will engage, through a series of stakeholder meetings, with the HEA, and the Healthy Campus Network to determine their opinion of the potential usefulness of these process and outcome indicators. We will create a repository of resources from existing resources in use across the four applicant HEIs, alongside requesting example resources from across the Healthy Campus Network to be included in the repository. An e-learning technologist will develop the self-assessment Tool. This Tool will be piloted in each of the four applicant HEIs. The Tool will be modified based upon this pilot. The project will culminate in a workshop in which members of the Healthy Campus Network will be trained in how to use the self-assessment Tool.
Funding Agency
Higher Education Authority
Person Months
6
Project Title
 VISTA: VISion To Action for promoting mental health and recovery. An Implementation Science approach to "Sharing the Vision" - Ireland's national mental health policy.
From
01.12.2023
To
01.03.2027
Summary
Our proposal is focused on how recommendations within this policy can best be implemented. Mental health problems are a leading cause of disability globally. StV emphasises the importance of mental health promotion, prevention, early intervention, and recovery, and recognises the need for a whole of population approach. Our proposed research programme VISTA (Vision to Action for promoting Mental Health and Recovery) seeks to progress the translational "policy to practice" pathway of StV"s implementation plan through six work packages targeting overlapping domains (see Figures 1, 3 and 4). Theoretically informed by Implementation Science, VISTA aims to identify determinants to implementing StV and overcome these through the formulation of tailored implementation blueprints, inclusive of context responsive, feasible and acceptable strategies for the benefit of service users, their family members/carers, and supporters.
Funding Agency
Health Research Board
Programme
Applied Programme Grant
Project Type
Health services and community research
Person Months
51
Project Title
 Health Assets and Needs Assessment in Tallaght - Round 3
From
20th September 2023
To
19th September 2024
Summary
Aim: The aim of this study is to examine health assets and health needs in the Tallaght community through a repeat of the methodology employed in the 2002 Tallaght Health Needs Assessment and 2014 Health Assets and Needs Assessment to identify and map health assets in Tallaght. This will inform future health, social and community service planning and delivery prioritises. Objectives: 1. To assess current health needs, 2. To assess any changes in health needs and health assets in Tallaght since 2002 (Round 1) and 2014 (Round 2) surveys, 3. To identify and map any new health assets, 4. To establish the relationship of the community with these health assets, 5. To provide recommendations for health, social and community service planning and prioritisation relating to the health and wellbeing of the Tallaght community and its population. Research questions: 1. What are the current health needs of the Tallaght community? 2. How have the health assets and needs of the Tallaght community changed over the past eight years? 3. What relationship does the community have with these health assets? 4. How has community social capital changed within the Tallaght community?
Funding Agency
Health Services Executive and Adelaide Health Foundation
Programme
Joint Funding Programme
Project Type
Community research
Person Months
12
Project Title
 Recruitment of adolescent girls into physical activity programmes: evidence to inform recruitment strategies for programme developers and policymakers.
From
01.09.2023
To
31.08.2026
Summary
Funding Agency
Irish Research Council
Programme
Enterprise Partnership Scheme Postgraduate Scholarship
Project Type
Research
Person Months
36
Project Title
 Creating an evidence-based toolbox for targeted public health interventions during COVID-19: a cross-border analysis to disentangle psychological, behavioural, media and governmental responses
From
21.05.2020
To
20.11.2020
Summary
COVID-19 represents a serious challenge to governments and healthcare systems. In addition to testing/contact tracing, behavioural (e.g., hand washing) and social responses (e.g., social distancing/cocooning) are the most effective tools for mitigating the spread of the disease. Psychological (e.g., risk perceptions, self-efficacy) and contextual factors (government, public health messaging etc.) are likely to drive these behaviours. Collated real time information of these indicators strengthens local, national and international public health advice and messaging. Further, the degree to which public health and government messages and measures are understood, communicated via (social) media and adhered to are vital. In addition, on the island of Ireland there are two different governments and public health jurisdictions (Republic of Ireland (ROI) and Northern Ireland (NI)). This represents a unique opportunity to explore the implications of differing measures and messaging across these two jurisdictions as they relate to COVID-19 on two similar populations. The expert research team are drawn from a broad range of disciplines in the ROI and NI. This project has four nested studies: 1. We will assess key behavioural, social and psychological factors through a large, prospective representative telephone survey of individuals aged over-18 on a weekly basis over eight weeks (n=3072); plus qualitative focus groups. 2. We will interrogate social media messaging and formal media responses in both jurisdictions to investigate the spread of (mis)information. 3. We will model data from Studies 1 and 2, plotting the psychosocial/behavioural and media messaging information with incidence and mortality data. 4. We will conduct an assessment of health policy transfer in an attempt to incorporate the most significant public health and political insights from each jurisdiction. An evidence-based toolbox for targeting of public health messaging and political leadership will be created for use for the anticipated October wave of COVID-19, and subsequently for future epidemics/pandemics.
Funding Agency
Health Research Board
Programme
COVID-19 Rapid Response
Person Months
6

Page 1 of 4
Details Date
Chair and Judge - BT Young Scientist Exhibition 2019-present
Trinity representative - Healthy County Committee (South Dublin) 2014-present
Irish Platform for Patient's Organisations, Science and Industry (IPPOSI)(Board Member) 2013-2018
Expert Committee on Prevention, Irish Cancer Society (Committee member) 2016-2018
Healthy Ireland (Council Member) 2014-2017
HEI HSE National Standard Undergraduate Curriculum for chronic disease prevention and management (Steering Group member) 2018 - present
Department of Health, National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol (subcommittee member of Treatment, Rehabilitation and Consequences, plus Research Advisory Group) 2013-2016
Expert Committee on Health Inequalities, Irish Cancer Society (Committee Member) 2015-2017
Health Reform Alliance (Chair; Ordinary Committee Member) 2014-2017
TASC Group on Health Inequalities (Committee member) 2012-2015
Reviewer for the following journals, inter alia: BMJ Open, BMC Public Health, BMC Health Services Research, BMC Family Practice, Health Policy, International Journal of Integrated Care, Health Psychology Review, Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy, 2007-present
Council member - Psychological Society of Ireland 2011-2014
Honorary Secretary - Psychological Society of Ireland 2012-2014
Chair of Division of Health Psychology - Psychological Society of Ireland 2016-2017
Honorary Treasurer, Division of Health Psychology, Psychological Society of Ireland 2010-2013
Chair of Standing Committee on Psychometric Testing - Psychological Society of Ireland 2010-2013
Scientific Committee - Psychology, Health & Medicine Conference 2015;2019
Scientific Committee - International Foundation for Integrated Care Conference 2017
Language Skill Reading Skill Writing Skill Speaking
English Fluent Fluent Fluent
Details Date From Date To
IFIC Ireland (the International Foundation for Integrated Care) - Steering Committee member March 2024 present
Cochrane International Collaboration 2011 present
Psychological Society of Ireland (Registered Member 2009-2011) (Chartered Member 2011 - present) 2009 present
British Psychological Society (Full member 2008-2016) (Associate Fellow 2017 - present) 2008 present
European Health Psychology Society (Full Member) 2008 present
Supporting women with complex needs to access appropriate substance use treatment. in, editor(s)M. Florence, W. Vanderplasschen, M. Yu, J. De Maeyer, S. Savahl , Handbook of Addiction, Recovery and Quality of Life, Springer, 2025, [Ivers, J.H., Darker, C., & Paul. G.], Notes: [in press for 2025], Book Chapter, IN_PRESS  URL
Darker, C.D. et al, HEA Healthy Campus Evaluation Toolkit for higher education institutions in Ireland " Project Overview, HEA Higher Education Authority - A Whole of Institution Approach to Health and Wellebing, Dublin, 2024, 2024, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Darker, C.D., Nicolson, G., Reddon, H., O"Connor, K., Jennings, R., & O"Connell, N., Monthly engagement with EIP keyworkers was associated with a five-fold increase in the odds of engagement with psychosocial interventions, BMC Psychiatry, 24, (96), 2024, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI  URL
O'Brien T, Darker CD, Mockler D and Barrett EM., Strategies for recruitment of adolescent girls into physical activity programmes: a systematic review protocol, HRB Open Research, 7, (6), 2024, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI  URL
Elaine Burke, Catherine Darker, Isabelle Molly Godson-Treacy, Columb Kavanagh, David Mockler, Natasha Slattery, Martina Hennessy, Gender equality in academic medicine before, during and after COVID-19: A systematic review., The Clinical Teacher, 2024, Notes: [https://dx.doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5103072/v1], Journal Article, SUBMITTED
Darker C.D. & Collins, A, Fireside Chat: Health and Educational Inequalities " A wicked problem worth solving, Prevention and Early Intervention Summit 2023, Limerick, 2023, 2023, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Darker, C.D. et al, Development and proposed evaluation of an eHealth learning tool for undergraduate students university students in Ireland, PH&M 2023 Book of Abstracts, Psychology, Health and Medicine, Limerick, Ireland, 2023, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED  URL
Darker C.D., Dempster, M., O"Connor C., O"Connell, N., Nicolson, G., Graham, C., Zgaga, L., Burke, E., Mather, L., Barry, J., Scally, G., Nolan, A., Tobin, K., & Crowley, P, Non-adherence to COVID-19 containment behaviours: results from an all-Ireland telephone survey, 16th European Public Health Conference `Our Food, Our Health, Our Earth: A Sustainable Future for Humanity, Dublin, Ireland, 2023, 2023, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED  URL
Darker CD, Mullin M, Doyle L, Tanner M, McGrath D, Doherty L, Dreyer-Gibney K, Barrett EM, Flynn D, Murphy P, Ivers JH, Burke E, Ryan M, McCarron M, Murphy P, Sheils O, Hevey D, Leen A, Keogh L, Walls B, Bennett AE, Petersen F, Nolan A, Barry JM., Developing a health promoting university in Trinity College Dublin-overview and outline process evaluation, Health Promotion International, 38, (4), 2023, p1 - 14, p1-14 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Darker, C.D., Nicolson, G., Reddon, H., O"Connor, K., Jennings, R., & O"Connell, N., Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of an early intervention in psychosis service in three demonstration sites in Ireland, BMC Health Services Research, 23, (653), 2023, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI  URL
  

Page 1 of 12
Darker, C.D., Loughrey, D., Stapleton, K., McCarthy, N, Round 3 " Health Assets and Needs Assessment (HANA) Tallaght", CPD Event " Optimising Data for Health Service Improvement in Local Communities, Institute of Population Health, Tallaght, Dublin, 2024, 2024, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Darker, C.D, A process evaluation of the implementation of a new model of care in three demonstration sites", Department of Health Town Hall meeting, Department of Health, 2022, 2022, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Darker, C.D.], Health Inequalities " A Wicked Problem Worth Solving", Childhood Development Ireland, Institute of Population Health, Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland, 2022, 2022, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Gabriela M. Sorin, Catherine Darker , Lucy Whiston, Erica Donnelly-Swift, Joe Barry, Brendan D. Kelly, Physical and Mental Health in Post-Recession Ireland: A Community Study from Tallaght, Dublin, Meath Foundation , November, 2018, p1 - 14, Report, PUBLISHED
Darker, C.D., Health Gathering - what changes to local health and social care services are important to residents in Tallaght? , Health Gathering, Tallaght Stadium, Dublin , 2016, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Darker, C.D., The Patients' Perspective - A Survey of Chronic Disease Management in Ireland, Adelaide Hospital Society Roundtable Meeting, Dublin, 2015, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Darker, C.D. & O'Shea, B, Chronic Disease Management in Ireland. Perspectives from patients and clinical stakeholders - implications and recommendations for the Irish healthcare system, Adelaide Hospital Society Roundtable Meeting, Dublin, 2015, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Darker CD, Whiston L, Long J, Donnelly-Swift E & Barry J, Health assets and needs assessment (HANA) in Tallaght, 2014, Dublin, 2015, Report, PUBLISHED
Darker C, Whiston L, O'Shea B, Chronic Disease Management in Ireland: Perspectives from patients and clinical stakeholders- implications and recommendations for the Irish healthcare system, Dublin, Adelaide Health Foundation, 2015, Report, PUBLISHED
Darker CD, Casey E, Seraukina T, Whiston L, & O'Shea B, The patients' perspective - a survey of chronic disease management in Ireland, Dublin, 2015, Report, PUBLISHED

  


Page 1 of 3
Award Date
Fellow of Trinity College Dublin April 2024
Nominated for Provosts Teaching Award 2018-2019 February 2018
Winner of Dean's Award for Innovation in Teaching 2016 May 2016
I lead three key research themes: **1. Applied Behavioural Change Research:** My expertise lies in conducting applied research to address real-world health challenges. I design and execute studies that bridge theory and practice, generating actionable insights for policy and practice. I formulate research questions grounded in behavioural theory, design robust methodologies, and conduct rigorous data collection and analysis. I prioritise interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder engagement to ensure research relevance and impact. My research contributes to public health knowledge and supports evidence-informed decision-making in smoking cessation, alcohol use, and physical activity for the general public, chronic illness sufferers, and healthcare professionals. **2. Evaluation of Health Programmes and Services:** I excel in evaluating health policies, programmes, and services to assess their effectiveness and impact. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, I rigorously measure changes in behaviour, health outcomes, and equity indicators. I assess implementation fidelity, identify barriers, and provide improvement recommendations. My evaluations inform evidence-based decision-making, influencing clinical practice and health policy. My HRB-funded trial changed treatment for methadone service patients in Ireland. My research impacted health psychology theories and questionnaire design. Additionally, my evaluation of the National Clinical Care Programmes in Ireland shapes their national reconfiguration. **3. Health Policy Implementation:** My expertise includes advising on policy implementation using implementation science principles. I systematically study the process of integrating evidence-based interventions into real-world settings, identifying barriers and facilitators, tailoring strategies to context, engaging stakeholders, and monitoring progress. This ensures effective implementation and sustained impact of policies in diverse healthcare environments. I have exceeded the Research Metrics of FHS for Associate Professor, achieving a personal score of 36.5 over four years, despite two maternity leaves. I have secured over €2.4 million in research funding and published extensively in leading health journals, with 103 publications (73 as senior author) and an h-index of 21, with 1,900 citations. My research is widely reported in media, including the Irish Times and RTE radio. As a research leader, I enhance the School's and College's research reputation and lead in Public and Patient Involvement (PPI), improving research relevance and societal impact. I have supervised five PhD students to completion.