Dr. Ciaran Mac Donncha

Biography

Ciaran Mac Donncha has more than 20 years of experience working with different age groups in the context of measurement, physical activity and health promotion. His primary research focus is on the determinants and correlates of physical activity and sedentary behaviour across the life-span and relevant data harmonisation. He graduated from the University of Limerick with a degree in Physical Education in 1991, he was awarded a Masters degree from the University of Bristol in Exercise and Health Sciences in 1992. He completed his Ph.D in 1998. Ciaran was appointed a lecturer in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick in 1998. Since that time he has held the following posts of responsibility at the University: Programme Director, Head of Department and Assistant Dean of Research, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences. He was a member of the National Steering Group for Physical Activity in Ireland who prepared the first National Physical Activity Guidelines and the Draft Physical Activity Plan for Ireland. He has secured approx. €1.6m in research funding; produced in excess of 60 research outputs; supervised 8 PhDs and 6 MSc students to completion; currently supervising 5 PhD students, Joint WP leader and Chair of DEDIPAC Data Pooling taskforce (2013-2016) - EU Joint Programme Initiative (JPI) Determinants of Diet, Physical Activity Knowledge HUB (DEDIPAC); member and made a significant contribution to the national committee on physical activity guidelines and national physical activity strategic policy (2008-2012); currently work package leader EMPATIA Erasmus+ project (2018-2020) and expert contributor EU JPI Policy Evaluation Network. Has engaged in significant research grant and journal peer review activities.