Celebrating Applied Psychology Research and Graduate Pathways
Organised and chaired by Dr Sinéad Meade, Lecturer in Applied Psychology, the seminar gave current students an opportunity to hear directly from recent BSc Applied Psychology graduates about their final-year research projects, postgraduate journeys and early career experiences. Four graduates shared engaging presentations on their research:
Louis Fitzgerald – ‘Disconsent forms: An eye-tracking study of the privacy paradox in academic consent collection’. Louis recently won the prize for Best Undergraduate Oral Presentation at the All-Ireland Psychological Student Congress 2026 and has begun working as a Psychology Lab Technician at IADT.
Éabha Nic Lochlainn – ‘Investigating the Impact of Stigma on the Social and Self-Identity of JIA Individuals’. Éabha is currently undertaking an MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy at ICHAS.
Austeja Eidukaityte – ‘Real vs Fake: An Eye-Tracking Study on Distinguishing AI-Generated Faces’. Austeja was awarded a prestigious George Moore Scholarship to study a MSc in Applied Statistical Modelling at King’s College London.
Amreeta Leddy – ‘The Impact of an Educational Video on Efficacy Beliefs towards Algorithm Bias’. Amreeta spearheaded the planning and delivery of the All-Ireland National Student Congress at IADT in 2025 and is now working as a Social Service Worker at Peter McVerry Trust.
The talks offered fourth-year students valuable insights as they prepare their own Major Research Projects and ethics applications, with graduates sharing practical advice on conducting research, volunteering, employment and applying for postgraduate study and scholarships.
The afternoon concluded with an informative and engaging Q&A chaired by fourth-year students Cian O’Meara and Emma Slowey.
The seminar highlighted the diverse pathways available to graduates of the BSc Applied Psychology programme and the many opportunities that can follow from an undergraduate degree: from research and employment to postgraduate study and international opportunities.
The graduates also reflected warmly on the support they received throughout their studies from the Applied Psychology lecturing team, Applied Psychology Lab, IADT Library, Student Services and Careers Centre.
A big thank you to our graduates and current 4th year students for making this year’s Thesis Talks such a valuable and inspiring event.
Current fourth-year student, Erin Murray, commented that “I found the talks from previous students so helpful. It made the major research project seem more achievable and accessible. It was very inspiring to see where I could be next year!”.
Another fourth-year student, Oisin O’Dwyer remarked that “The Thesis Talks seminar was a great opportunity to speak with people who were in my shoes a year ago. I was feeling very nervous for my Major Research Project, and hearing from the past students helped me better understand what I need to do to succeed and thrive in the year ahead. The insights they provided will be invaluable not just for my MRP but for any postgraduate plans I have”.