Dr Joe MacDonagh

Lifelong Learning Visiting Fellow, Summer 2025. 

Biography and research

Dr. Joe MacDonagh is a Chartered Psychologist and former President of the Psychological Society of Ireland, the professional body for psychologists in Ireland. Currently he is Chair of the Life and Health Sciences committee of the Royal Irish Academy, Ireland's premier learned society and one of its leading cultural and academic institutions. He has presented to Irish parliamentary committees and representatives arguing for appropriate understanding and funding for disabled people. He works in Technological University Dublin (Tallaght Campus).

He is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society, a Fellow of the Irish Academy of Management and a Companion of the British Academy of Management. He is a member of the Joint Research Ethics committee of two of Ireland’s leading hospitals- Tallaght University Hospital and St James’s Hospital. He has worked as a Research Expert for the EU Commission’s Research Directorate and as a panellist/assessor for the Athena Swan award. He is a Chartered Scientist of The Science Council of Great Britain

The main part of his research looks at health organisations and the occupations that work within them. His recent publications have examined the role of social media in the lives of medical staff and general practitioner’s work in promoting physical activity and well-being to migrant communities. He is particularly skilled in using qualitative methodologies to explore the experience of minority groups and in producing research that informs public policy and planning. He has worked with Irish and international publishers to develop innovative online and in person learning tools for undergraduate cohorts of all types.

His qualifications and lecturing experience include University College Dublin, University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin, and Dublin City University. He is a former parliamentary lobbyist for Amnesty International in Ireland and he has conducted research for Amnesty International in Ireland and worldwide.

Working with Oxford Lifelong Learning

As Visiting Fellow, Dr MacDonagh will be working with academics from some of the main departments in the University of Oxford and will be attending seminars to share his experiences in education, psychology and in pedagogy.