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Professor Mary Hughes

Professor In (School of Nursing & Midwifery)
DOLIER STREET - SCHOOL OF NURSING
      
Profile Photo

Professor Mary Hughes

Professor In (School of Nursing & Midwifery)
DOLIER STREET - SCHOOL OF NURSING

 mhughes7@tcd.ie

 3531896 3319


Mary is Professor in Children's Nursing, a Fellow of Trinity College Dublin, and Head of the Children's Nursing Discipline in the school. She is a Registered Children's Nurse and Registered General Nurse with extensive clinical, managerial, teaching, research and leadership experience. She is an experienced and consistently funded researcher with a special interest in child health, advanced practice, and digital health innovation. She is an influential contributor at senior level in relation to the development of the new National Children's Hospital, national policy for Children's Nursing in Ireland, Children's Nursing Education, and Nurse education. From February 2020-June 2023, Mary was Director of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate). Her remit included the management of the post graduate suite of programmes for 20 taught MSc Programmes, two Higher Diploma Programmes, three Professional Certificate Programmes and twelve Microcredentials, in addition to the Structured Doctoral and MSc Research programmes. She was dynamic in the role, leading on the development of the strategic plan for PG Education in the school, and influencing the new school strategy in 2023.During her term, she successfully restructured the PGT and PGR offering, she was the school lead for the HCI Microcredentials Pilot Project; the school is the most successful school in the pilot in TCD, and was appointed to the steering committee and WP6 Lead for Post Graduate Renewal Programme. Mary is currently engaged in research projects centred on child health and wellbeing in community care, in the development of innovative digital health services in Advanced Nursing Practice in Children's Health Ireland, Digital Information Provision for Medication Safety, and Digital Health Provision in the new Regional Health Areas. She is also supervising PhD students on programmes of research related to child health. Mary is a recognised national academic leader in Children's Health, Advanced Practice and Digital Health. She has strong interprofessional networks nationally and internationally, and is a member of key committees and groups in relation to these fields. She is an influential contributor to the national discourse on developments in Nursing and Midwifery, representing the school, college and IUA Heads on these matters. She was nominated by TCD to undertake the Aurora Women in Leadership programme in 23/24. She is recognised nationally as a leader in Nursing.
     ASTHMA   CHILDHOOD ASTHMA   Children's and Young Peoples Nursing   Childrens health care   children's rights   childrens views   CHRONICALLY ILL CHILDREN   Digital Health   International children's research
Project Title
 Empowering Neurodiverse Nursing, Midwifery and Medical Students through Immersive Technologies to enhance their Practice Placement Experience
From
January 2025
To
December 2025
Summary
Funding Agency
Higher Education Authority
Programme
Research Boost Programme
Project Type
Implementation Science
Project Title
  Development of a Mobile Application for Adolescents who have Asthma: The `My Asthma App" (MAA)
From
August 2017
To
August 2020
Summary
Hughes, M., Kroll, T., Savage, E., Cox, D., Regan, D. (2017) (€216,257.69) Unsuccessful Grant Applicaition. Overview of project: Development of a mobile software application (My Asthma APP: the MAA) to support the development of self-care behaviours could provide the support required by adolescents in the out of home hours to enable them accommodate the interruption of asthma in their lives and therefore self-manage asthma more successfully. Methods: The aim of this feasibility study is to develop a mobile software application to support adolescents in managing their asthma. This is a two-arm, randomised control feasibility study, which will achieve the research aims and objectives in 3 phases: Phase 1 Exploration: will comprise of a realist review of the literature. Phase 2 Development: the development of the MAA involving the researchers, adolescents, clinicians, and software technologists. Phase 3 Feasibility: testing the MAA, and outcome measurement using mixed method approach to data collection and analysis. This is a Beta, pre-intervention test for the usability of the software. The results of this feasibility study will enable us to do factor analysis to progress to full trial. Results: This proposed research addresses the need for developmentally appropriate intervention development where psychosocial as well as physiological factors are recognised as important. Building this into the research aim and objectives will ensure a deeper understanding through more than quantitative measures alone. Involvement of adolescents in the design of the MAA will ensure it is a meaningful intervention, tailored to meet the preferences of this cohort of users in addition to supporting the development of accommodating behaviours. The findings will give rise to the potential for this feasibility study to progress to full trial.
Funding Agency
National Children"s Research Centre
Programme
Paediatric Research Project Grant Application
Project Type
Digital Health Intervention Development
Project Title
  Development of `My Asthma Mentor App for Adolescents who have Asthma (MyAM): A two-arm, randomised control feasibility study
From
To
Summary
Hughes, M., Cox, D., Savage, E., Kroll, T., Lewis, K. The overarching aim of this proposed project is to design a developmentally appropriate intervention to support the informational needs and development of behaviours in adolescents who have asthma. The specific aim is to combine robust evidence with the involvement of adolescents in order to inform the innovative design, development and testing of a mobile application (My Asthma Mentor: MyAM). Outcomes will be measured based on the quality of the intervention content and characteristics (Anderson et al. 2016, Antezana et al. 2015).
Funding Agency
National Children's Research Centre
Programme
NCRC Paediatric Research Project Grant 2019
Project Title
 National Clinical Handover Guideline (Phase 2: Acute Hospitals).
From
To
Summary
Fealy, GM., Donnelly, S., Doyle, G., Brenner, M., Hughes, M. (2015)
Funding Agency
Department of Health, Dublin
Programme
Service Evaluation
Project Title
 Living with Asthma: Perspectives of Irish Adults with Asthma
From
To
Summary
Hughes M. (2014) . (Awarded €30,000).
Funding Agency
Boehringer Ingelheim
Programme
Asthma Society of Ireland Research Programme

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Details Date
External Reviewer MSc in Advanced Practice, Queens University Belfast 19.02.25
External Academic Panel Member- Interview for Assistant Professor in Children's Nursing UCC January 2021
Invited Referee- Pediatric Nursing March 2021
TCD Representative- Children's Health Ireland, National Children's Hospital- Simulation Suite Design and Development (Nurse Education and Training Committee) 2020
Invited Referee- Journal of Child Health Care 2018
TCD Representative: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland design and development of Requirements and Standards for Graduate Entry and Post Registration MSc in Nursing Programme 2021-22
TCD contributor in the development of 'Leading the Way: A National Strategy for the Future of Children's Nursing in Ireland 2021-2031 2021
TCD Lead: HEI Consortium for the national curriculum for MSc Advanced Practice Nursing, MSc Advanced Practice Midwifery 2018-2020
TCD Representative- Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland: Committee for the Review of RNT Registration Programme 2021-22
Invited Referee- Journal of Clinical Nursing 2014
TCD representative on Steering Group for Children's Nursing Workforce CHI December 2017
National Academic Representative- National Children's Nursing Digital Health Working Group September 2023
Children's Nursing Workforce Planning Steering Committee Role: IUA Heads Nominated Representative September 2017
Children's Nursing Clinical Academic Working Group Role: TCD Representative December 2017
National Children's Nurses Network: TCD Representative since 2017, UCD and UCC representative previously. December 2014
Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Network: TCD Representative since 2017, UCD Previously April 2016
External Panel Member Clinical Simulation Skills Laboratory Manager University College Cork 09.07.24
External Examiner Professional Doctorate Programme University of Limerick 2023-2026
External Panel Member- Interview Panel Assistant Lecturer Grade- Technical University of the Shannon Athlone November 2022
External Examiner MSc Nursing Programme: South East Technological University Waterford 2020-2023
External Expert Reviewer- MSc Advanced Professional Practice Programme Queen's University Belfast February 2021
TCD Representative- Children's Health Ireland, National Children's Hospital- Simulation Suite Design and Development (Nurse Education and Training Committee) 2020
Language Skill Reading Skill Writing Skill Speaking
English Fluent Fluent Fluent
Irish Medium Basic Medium
Details Date From Date To
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland April 1997 current
Paediatric Nursing Association of Europe June 2023 current
National Children's Nursing Network 2012 Current
All Island Children's Research Network Jan 2012 current
Grounded Theory Institute October 2010 Current
Johanna Briggs Institute May 2024 current
Lee, P. Hughes, M., Healthcare professionals views on interprofessional working and collaboration in providing care to people living with dementia, Healthcare in times of crisis: adaptive responses and global innovations, Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference, 5-6 March, 2025, Conference Paper, PRESENTED
Brady, D., Hughes, M., What are the Outcomes of non-pharmacological interventions for treating sleep problems in children and adolescents with Autism, Healthcare in times of crisis: adaptive responses and global innovations, Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference, 5-6 March, 2025, Conference Paper, PRESENTED
Alsulimani, M., Gallagher, L., Hughes, M., The Lived Experiences of working mothers who plan to exclusively breastfeed their infants upon returning to work in Saudi Arabia: An IPA study, 4 March, 2025, Conference Paper, PRESENTED
Mahon, I., Doyle, C., Hughes, M.,, Fathers experiences of caring for a child with a chromosome abnormality and complex care needs., THE Conf, Trinity College, 5/6 March 2025, Dublin, 5/6 March, 2025, Notes: [Oral Presentation], Conference Paper, PRESENTED
McCabe, C. Connolly, L., Quintana, Y., Weir, A., Moen, A., Ingvar, M., Nauelaerts, K., McCann., M., Doyle, C., Hughes., M., Brenner, M., How to Refine and Prioritize Key Performance Indicators for Digital Health Interventions: Tutorial on Using Consensus Methodology to Enable Meaningful Evaluation of Novel Digital Health Interventions, Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2025, Journal Article, ACCEPTED  DOI  URL
Murphy M, Begley T, Horkan S, Hughes M, Hilliard C, Goonan C, Grennan K, Tackling the shortage of Children's Nurses., World of Irish Nursing, 33, (3), 2025, p20 - 21, Journal Article, APPROVED
Brady, D., Hughes, M., What are the Outcomes of non-pharmacological interventions for treating sleep problems in children and adolescents with Autism, 44th Annual International Nursing and Midwifery Research and Education Conference, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 27 February 2025, 2025, Poster, PRESENTED
Deevy, K.E., Phelan, A., Hughes, M., Understanding the context of sexual health among young travellers., New Horizons in Healthcare: Global Impact, Local Relevance,(The Conf2024), Trinity College Dublin, 5-7 March 2024, 2024, Conference Paper, PRESENTED
Almutairi, A., Corry, M., Hughes, M., The impact of child protection training on nurses' self-efficacy in detecting and reporting child abuse., New Horizons in Healthcare: Global Impact, Local Relevance,(The Conf2024), Trinity College Dublin, 5-7 March 2024, 2024, Conference Paper, PRESENTED
Hughes, M., Doyle, M., Moroney, D., Feeney, O., Developing a Patient Portal for Children and Young People with Hydrocephalus: Report on a Scoping Review and Evidence Synthesis., New Horizons in Healthcare: Global Impact, Local Relevance (The Conf2024), Trinity College Dublin, 5-7 March 2024, 2024, Conference Paper, PRESENTED
  

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Hughes, M., Child Growth and Development- the benefits of an Integrated Care Approach, All Ireland Integrated Nursing Care Festival: INMO, Crowne Plaza, Blanchardstown, 9th April 2025, 2025, Conference Paper, APPROVED
Hughes, M., Doyle, M., Moroney, D., Feeney, O., Developing a Patient Portal for Children and Young People with Hydrocephalus, DMHG Nursing and Midwifery Conference, Killashee House Hotel, 05.06.2024, 2024, Conference Paper, PRESENTED
Hughes, M., Keynote Speaker - The value of collaboration in advancing Clinical Research., National Advanced Practice Children's Nursing Meeting, The Guinness Enterprise Centre, 23rd May 2024, 2024, Conference Paper, PRESENTED
Hughes, M., Innovation in Healthcare Education, National Healthcare Summit, Croke Park, 07.02.2024, 2024, Invited Talk, PRESENTED
Hughes M., Innovation in Healthcare Education- Impact on Recruitment and Retention, EY Health Spring Series, EY Health Dublin, 22.05.2024, 2024, Dr Ronan Glynn, Invited Talk, PRESENTED
Hughes, M., Growing Excellence in PhD Supervision, IUA Dean's Symposium, UCD, 18.05.2023, 2023, IUA Deans of Research, Invited Talk, PRESENTED
Hughes, M., Coklar Okutkan,I., Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Digital Health Implementations Scoping Review and Key Considerations, Trinity College Dublin, October, 2023, p1 - 44, Report, PUBLISHED
Hughes, M., Moroney, D., Doyle, M., Fennelly, O., Patient Portal for Young People and Children with Hydrocephalus: Scoping Review & Stakeholder Consultation, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, June, 2023, p1 - 52, Report, PUBLISHED
Hughes, M., Rhee, H., mHealth Interventions for improving self-care behaviours in young people with Chronic Illness- , Reimagining Child Health Webinar (Series), Online TCD, 10th February 2021, 2021, Child Health Research Team, SNM TCD, Invited Talk, PRESENTED
Hughes, M., Developing M-Health Technologies to support Self-Care Behaviours in Young People with Chronic Illness, Children's Nursing Research Symposium, School of Nursing and Midwifery, TCD, 2nd May 2018, 2018, Child Health Research Group, Invited Talk, PRESENTED

  


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Award Date
Fellowship Trinity College Dublin 28.04.2025
Excellence in Doctoral Supervision Award (Faculty of Health Sciences) 21.06.2024
MA (J.O.) 16.06.2022
Oran O Muire Award- Asthma Society of Ireland 06.12.2011
Oran O Muire Award- Asthma Society of Ireland 10.12.2010
Mary is recognised nationally and internationally as a leading researcher in Children's Nursing, Advanced Practice, and Digital Health Innovation. Her work is aligned to the school vision of optimising the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities through excellence and leadership in research with a national and global reach, with the research centres TRICC, TCPHI and TCMCR. Mary's successes in securing funding ensures her contribution to the discipline and school and its leading edge in this research space . Through her publications, presentations and collaborations, she demonstrates a deep commitment to advancing knowledge and improving the health outcomes of children, young people and the wider community by advancing research that has a significant impact on their lives. Mary has recognised methodological expertise in Classic Grounded Theory, qualitative research methodologies, and quantitative methods. She has been lead PI, co-applicant and collaborator in successful applications for national and European research funding. She is currently managing funded research projects with the team of academic colleagues, Post-doc fellows and research students. Recruitment of research students is central to the development of child health research. As an award winning supervisor, Mary has a track record in nurturing the curiosity of research students, providing a viable pathway for the development of the future academics and researchers in child health, and interdisciplinary health research. Mary's current programme of funded research involves collaborative, interprofessional, and PPI projects that affect the lives of children and their families, and in the design of digital health systems for the new national Children's Hospital and the Regional Health Areas, and innovation in information for medical safety for IMI/EU. Her extensive international research networks, and established relationships with key stakeholders result in her recognition as a leader in children's nursing research and digital health innovation.