Welcome to the Participatory Health Research (PHR) Unit, School of Medicine, University of Limerick.

The Co-Directors of the PHR Unit are Anne MacFarlane, PhD, Professor of Primary Healthcare, School of Medicine and Helen Phelan, PhD, Professor of Arts Practice, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance.

Our PHR Unit

  • Has specialist expertise in arts-based methods 
  • Focuses on capacity building for meaningful public and patient involvement in health research  
  • Is a World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for PHR with refugees and migrants  

Our work draws on a variety of disciplines including general practice, allied health, sociology, anthropology, health promotion, biostatistics and music. We have strong collaborative partnerships with community organisations, other academics, health service planners and policy stakeholders in Ireland and abroad.