DCU School of Psychology celebrates 5 year anniversary with series of events
DCU Psychology, Ireland’s youngest School of Psychology, has witnessed rapid growth since its founding in 2019. In just five years, the School has expanded to a thriving community of over 30 academic, technical, professional, and research staff. We also have a vibrant and growing PhD community who play an integral role in fostering a collaborative school culture. DCU Psychology has gone from offering a single undergraduate degree to providing three undergraduate courses: BSc Psychology, Psychology and Disruptive Technologies (BPDT), and Psychology and Mathematics (BPM). Additionally, we now offer the Masters in Psychology Conversion (MPC) and the Masters in Psychological Wellbeing (MPW) programmes, as well as an online distance-learning Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, Psychology Major (formerly BAPY, now BAPsy).
DCU Psychology has gained international recognition for its innovative and applied research. This year, the School advanced in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, rising from 301–330 to 251–300, and is now ranked among the top four psychology schools in Ireland—an extraordinary achievement given the School’s recent entry into these rankings.
This success is all the more remarkable considering the extraordinary challenges faced in the School’s early days. Less than six months after the School’s launch, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, thwarting the original launch event. It was therefore particularly meaningful to finally celebrate with the School of Psychology Anniversary Event
The anniversary celebration featured a series of research blitz talks by staff which showcased innovative, impactful, and applied research in our school. It was particularly lovely to honour our graduate’s achievements through an Alumni Panel event featuring Dr. Eamon Costello (Academic Unit of Neurology, TCD), Dr. Clare Bohan (Programme and Quality Manager, Child Development Initiative), Dean O’Reilly (EDI and Sexual Violence and Harassment Prevention Manager, NCAD), Aisling Eaton (People Consultant, Deloitte), and Dr. Michelle Franco (Founder and CEO, Dublin Mind Clinic). This event highlighted the diverse and impactful careers our alumni have pursued, reflecting the strength and breadth of our programmes.
The celebrations culminated with an evening showcase of academic and practitioner speakers specializing in neuroscience and addiction. Speakers included Drs. Catherine Fassbender and Stella Vlachou (DCU School of Psychology), who discussed the neuroscience of addiction, and experts in recovery from substance misuse, Lorna Crean (DCU Psychology) and Dermot Gough (psychotherapist and manager of the Dales Centre), whose mission is to reduce harm and support individuals through each stage of addiction. The session concluded with a powerful personal narrative by neuroscientist, author, resiliency speaker, and former heroin addict, Dr. Brian Pennie, who shared his inspiring journey of rebuilding and flourishing after addiction.
Following the speaker session, a fireside chat entitled Paving the Path to Recovery from Substance Misuse: The Science, Supports, and a Personal Story of Rebuilding and Thriving brought together all speakers. Moderated by Dr. Lorraine Boran, Associate Professor at DCU Psychology, the panel discussed the neurobiology of addiction, the brain’s reward system, and the complex processes involved in developing, maintaining, and overcoming addictive behaviors.
It was a wonderful event that brought the entire School community together to celebrate our achievements while also looking forward to future successes and meaningful impact that we aspire to create in the years ahead.