DrNoreen O'Leary

Dr Noreen O’Leary is a health professions education researcher and educator whose work focuses on advancing interprofessional learning and inclusive education. Drawing on her clinical background as a speech and language therapist and her expertise in health professions education, she applies evidence-informed approaches to curriculum design, educator development, and health workforce capacity building. Her research has shaped understanding of how interprofessional learning can be effectively embedded within clinical placement environments and healthcare curricula, supporting the preparation of graduates for collaborative practice.

As a Lecturer at the Health Professions Education Centre, RCSI, and previously within the School of Population Health, RCSI, Noreen has led the design and implementation of innovative postgraduate programmes and online learning initiatives. She has worked closely with academic, clinical and professional stakeholders to develop educational programmes that respond to contemporary healthcare challenges and workforce needs, while supporting faculty development and educational scholarship.

Noreen's engagement extends beyond her institutional roles through national leadership in interprofessional education. She is the founder and Co-chair of the Irish Special Interest Group in Interprofessional Education, a growing community of practice promoting collaboration, scholarship and knowledge exchange across health and social care professions in Ireland. Through this leadership role she has contributed to building national capacity for interprofessional education and fostering connections between educators, researchers and practitioners. 

Her commitment to societal impact is reflected in her collaborative research and advocacy activities. She has contributed to evidence generation across areas including disability services and women's health, publishing in leading international journals. She has also engaged directly with policy and service development through her presentation to the Joint Committee on Disability Matters on Progressing Disability Services, helping to connect research evidence with national discussions on disability care and service provision. 

Noreen conceptualsied and was Princcipal Investigator on the HEA-funded ELEVATE project, which explores gender-informed workload allocation models to better recognise, support and advance women's contributions in higher education. This work aims to promote more equitable academic environments and aligns with broader goals relating to gender equality, inclusive workplaces, and sustainable research careers.