Biography

Hilary Moss is Associate Professor of Music Therapy at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Ireland and previously the Director of the National Centre for Arts and Health, Tallaght Hospital, Dublin. She is passionate about the interaction between music, health and well-being with over 25 years of research and practice experience as a Music Therapist and manager in mental health, older age and adult medical environments. She has an MBA in Health Service Management and completed her PhD at Trinity College Dublin Medical School. Her research interests include music/music therapy in ageing and dementia care; chronic pain and singing and health. She has published widely on health humanities and inter-disciplinary research topics. She is founder and chair of the Arts and Health Research Network at UL and has over fifty peer reviewed journal publications on arts and health related topics. Her book Music and Creativity in Healthcare Settings was published by Routledge in 202s and she has guest edited two special issues of journals on music, music therapy and health topics. She regularly appears on radio and other media on music and health topics. For further list of publications, conference presentations, funding and research activity please contact Hilary.Moss@ul.ie Watch my UL TALK for more information on my research interests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1t3lr_eWwI

Research Interests

My interdisciplinary research integrates humanities, health sciences and others (e.g., computer science) and I have a strong interdisciplinary research profile. My research is an important scholarly contribution to the growing evidence that engaging with the arts positively impacts health. Innovative solutions are being piloted at UL, for example trialling telehealth music therapy with computer science colleagues for people with dementia (an international innovation). I make a unique contribution to UL's community engagement. In 2020, I initiated a project between Music Therapy (UL) and Corpus Christi School Moyross, recently featured at the new City Campus launch as a key project in the UL Engage programme. This body of work positions me as a leader in music, health, and community engagement. I am working to establish UL as the national centre for Health Humanities in Ireland; crystallizing UL as the national hub for music therapy research and practice and am committed to developing existing UL community engagement research projects, expanding the 20 student led health and social care research projects I initiated to 35 by 2025 and 40 by 2027.

SciVal Metrics since 2016 illustrate the significance and impact of my research for Arts and Humanities: most publications involve international (25%) or national (50%) collaborations; top collaborating Institutions are Trinity College Dublin (Ireland #1 QS World ranking) and University of Toronto (#25 World QS Ranking). These collaborations and others are significant to growing the academic reputation of UL nationally and internationally, noted as priority in UL@50 Strategic Plan 2019-2024.

Particular areas of interest include Music Therapy and Chronic Pain; Music and Dementia care; Health Humanities, singing for health and aesthetic deprivation in healthcare settings.

Published Government Reports (including HSE and Arts Council commissions)
Moss, H., McLoughlin, L. and O'Donoghue, J. (2018) Dance and health research project report, UL: Limerick http://hdl.handle.net/10344/7258
Moss, H. and O'Donoghue, J. (2018) Sing while you work - the well-being benefits of workplace choirs, Limerick: UL, available: http://hdl.handle.net/10344/7257
Moss, Hilary; Lynch, Julie; O'Donoghue, Jessica (2017) Sing Yourself Better: The Health and Well-being Benefits of Singing in a Choir. Limerick: UL.

FilmsResearch Impact Films (2021) Singing for Health and Well-being. Available at https://vimeo.com/654914605. This video showcases my research on music therapy and singing for people with chronic pain and other health conditions. It featured as an excellent example of UL's community engaged research. This output is the result of the impact of my original research, including Moss et al 2021 and Fitzpatrick, Harmon & Moss, 2019. The film was created in collaboration with UL Engage.

Research impact film (2021) Available at HAPPEE - University of Limerick on Vimeo. This video showcases community engaged interdisciplinary clinical research in Limerick. My leadership in developing the music therapy arm of this interdisciplinary research and practice is evidenced in this output, particularly with reference to my MA student's placement work on singing and health (e.g., O'Donoghue & Moss, 2018).

I regularly appear in the media, for example :
Moss, H. December 18th, 2021. Singing and COVID-19. Interview on RTE Lyric FM Culture File https://www.rte.ie/radio/podcasts/22042704-the-culture-file-weekly-dec-18th-jennifer-walshe/file/ Moss, H. August 2021. The role of music for well-being during COVID-19. Interview onRTE Radio 1 Claire Byrne show.
Moss, H. Monday 9 August 2021 How does music cause harm? RTE Brainstorm Scholarly opinion piece https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2021/0809/1239825-music-therapy-music-induced-harm/
Moss, H 23rd October 2020. How does music make us relax? RTE Brainstorm. Scholarly opinion piece. https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2020/1022/1173198-how-music-helps-us-relax/

For full list of publications, conference presentations, funding and research activity please contact Hilary.Moss@ul.ie Watch my UL TALK for more information on my research interests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1t3lr_eWwI

Professional Activities

Committee

  • 2018 Irish Humanities Alliance ,
  • 2018 Irish World Academy Quality Review,
  • 2018 Irish World Academy Research Approval Process Committee,
  • 2018 Healthy Campus Committee, UL,
  • 2016 British Association of Music Therapy Teaching and Education committee,
  • 2016 UL Personal Advisor Student Support Committee,
  • 2008 Kildare County Council Arts in Health Steering Group,
  • 2003 Health Service Executive Eastern Region Arts Committee ,

Association

  • 2017 Country Representative, European Music Therapy Confederation
  • 2016 AssociateMember, Royal Society for Public Health (UK)
  • 2003 Member, Society for the Arts in Healthcare, USA
  • 2003 Member, Association of Arts Co-ordinators in Hospitals, Ireland
  • 1999 Member, Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists
  • 1996 Member, British Association of Music Therapy

Employment

  • 2016 University of Limerick - Associate Professor and Course Director MA Music Therapy
  • 2010 Trinity College Dublin - Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Medicine
  • 2010 Maynooth University - Occasional Lecturer
  • 2003 Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin - Director of Arts and Health
  • 2002 Haringey NHS Trust, London - Music Therapist Researcher
  • 1999 The Carers Association - Family Resource Centre Manager, West Dublin
  • 1996 West London NHS Trust & Oxfordshire NHS, UK - Music Therapist

Education

  • 2014 Trinity College Dublin, School of Medicine - PhD
  • 2002 University College Dublin (UCD) - MBA
  • 1996 Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London - Postgraduate Diploma in Music Therapy
  • 1994 University of Reading - BA (Hons)

Award

  • 2006 - Business2Arts award
  • 2005 - Health Service Executive Innovation Awards

Consultancy

  • 2006 Blue Box Creative Centre, Limerick - Independent service evaluation and recommendations for art and music therapy services.
  • 2006 Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust - External clinical supervisor
  • 2005 Meath Community Unit - Consultancy to develop music therapy service

Other

  • Queen Margaret University, Scotland, 2018 - 2021
  • Member of HRI 2017 - present
  • Member 2019 - present. Awarded funding €267,000 to cluster
  • Irish World Academy, participated in selection and interview process for Classical Strings Associate Teacher 2018
  • 2018; Guildhall School of Music and Drama

Peer Reviewed Journals

2019

An evaluation of workplace choir singing amongst Health Service staff in Ireland

Moss, H and O'Donoghue, J (2019) An evaluation of workplace choir singing amongst Health Service staff in Ireland . Health Promotion International :1 - 8

Read more
2019

Music in the chronic pain experience: An Investigation into the Use of Music and Music therapy by Patients and Staff at a Hospital Outpatient Pain Clinic

Fitzpatrick, K and Moss, H and Harmon, D (2019) Music in the chronic pain experience: An Investigation into the Use of Music and Music therapy by Patients and Staff at a Hospital Outpatient Pain Clinic. Music and Medicine :6- 22.

Read more
2018

Music Therapy, Spirituality and Transcendence

Moss, Hilary (2018) Music Therapy, Spirituality and Transcendence. Nordic Journal Of Music Therapy

Read more
2017

Exploring the perceived health benefits of singing in a choir: an international cross-sectional mixed-methods study

Moss, H and Lynch, J and O'Donoghue, J (2017) Exploring the perceived health benefits of singing in a choir: an international cross-sectional mixed-methods study. Perspectives in Public Health :160- 168

Read more
2017

Increasing public health awareness of and capacity for arts-based therapy in medicine

Khan, W. and Moss, H. (2017) Increasing public health awareness of and capacity for arts-based therapy in medicine. JAMA Neurology

Read more
2017

Increasing public health awareness of and capacity for arts-based therapy in medicine

Khan W, Moss H. (2017) Increasing public health awareness of and capacity for arts-based therapy in medicine. Jama Neurology

Read more
2017

The Perception of Art among Patients and Staff on a Renal Dialysis Unit

Corrigan, C and Peterson, L and McVeigh, C and Lavin, PJ and GJ, Mellotte and Wall, C and Baker Kerrigan, A and Barnes, L and O’Neill, D and Moss, H (2017) The Perception of Art among Patients and Staff on a Renal Dialysis Unit. Irish Medical Journal

Read more
2017

Narratives of health and illness: Arts-based research capturing the lived experience of dementia

Moss, Hilary; O'Neill, Desmond (2017) Narratives of health and illness: Arts-based research capturing the lived experience of dementia . Dementia-International Journal Of Social Research And Practice

Read more
2016

Arts and Health: A New Paradigm

Moss, Hilary (2016) Arts and Health: A New Paradigm. Voices: A World Forum For Music Therapy

Read more
2016

The Role of the Curator in Modern Hospitals: A transcontinental perspective

Moss, H; O'Neill, D (2016) The Role of the Curator in Modern Hospitals: A transcontinental perspective. The Journal of medical humanities

Read more
2015

A Community Art Therapy Group for Adults With Chronic Pain

O'Neill, A and Moss, H (2015) A Community Art Therapy Group for Adults With Chronic Pain. Art Therapy :158-167

Read more
2015

Stravinsky syndrome: giving a voice to chronic stroke disease

O'Neill, D; MacSweeney, CA; Cornell, A; Moss, H (2015) Stravinsky syndrome: giving a voice to chronic stroke disease. Quarterly Journal Of Medicine :489-493

Read more
2015

Perceptions of music therapy for older people among healthcare professionals

Khan, WU,Mohamad Onn Yap, IA,O’Neill, D,Moss, H (2015) Perceptions of music therapy for older people among healthcare professionals. Medical Humanities

Read more
2014

Aesthetic deprivation in clinical settings

Moss, H,O'Neill, D (2014) Aesthetic deprivation in clinical settings. The Lancetthe Lancet :1032-1033

Read more
2014

The aesthetic and cultural interests of patients attending an acute hospital. A phenomenological study

Moss, H,O'Neill, D (2014) The aesthetic and cultural interests of patients attending an acute hospital. A phenomenological study. Journal Of Advanced Nursing :121-129

Read more
2013

The Aesthetic and Cultural Pursuits of Patients with Stroke

O'Connell, Clare,Cassidy, Aoife,O'Neill, Desmond,Moss, Hilary (2013) The Aesthetic and Cultural Pursuits of Patients with Stroke. Journal Of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases

Read more
2012

The King's Speech, directed by Tom Hooper, The Weinstein Company and UK Film Council, 2010

Moss, Hilary (2012) The King's Speech, directed by Tom Hooper, The Weinstein Company and UK Film Council, 2010. Arts & Health :183-185

Read more
2012

Medical Humanities - Serious Academic Pursuit or Doorway to Dilettantism?

Moss, H and O'Neill, D (2012) Medical Humanities - Serious Academic Pursuit or Doorway to Dilettantism?. Irish Medical Journal :261 - 2

Read more
2012

A review of qualitative methodologies used to explore patient perceptions of arts and healthcare

Moss, H,Donnellan, C,O'Neill, D (2012) A review of qualitative methodologies used to explore patient perceptions of arts and healthcare. J Med Ethics; Medical Humanitiesj Med Ethics; Medical Humanities :106-109

Read more
2009

What training do artists need to work in healthcare settings?

Moss, H,O'Neill, D (2009) What training do artists need to work in healthcare settings?. J Med Ethics; Medical Humanitiesj Med Ethics; Medical Humanities :101-105

Read more
2008

Reflections on Music Therapy and Arts in Health

Moss, H (2008) Reflections on Music Therapy and Arts in Health. British Journal Of Music Therapybritish Journal Of Music Therapy :83-87

Read more
2007

A Cure for the Soul? The Benefit of Live Music in the General Hospital

Moss, H and Nolan, E and O'Neill, D (2007) A Cure for the Soul? The Benefit of Live Music in the General Hospital. Irish Medical Journal :636 - 638

Read more
2003

Service Evaluation: Music Therapy and Medicine for the Elderly

Moss, Hilay (2003) Service Evaluation: Music Therapy and Medicine for the Elderly. British Journal Of Music Therapybritish Journal Of Music Therapy :76-90

Read more
1999

Creating a New Music Therapy Post: An Evidence-Based Research Project

Moss, Hilary (1999) Creating a New Music Therapy Post: An Evidence-Based Research Project. British Journal Of Music Therapybritish Journal Of Music Therapy :49-59

Read more

Books

2021

Music and Creativity in Hospitals and Healthcare Settings: Does Music Matter?

Moss, H. (2021) Music and Creativity in Hospitals and Healthcare Settings: Does Music Matter?. UK : Routledge Focus Series

Read more

Book Chapters

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Edited Books

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Other Journals

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Conference Publications

2017

1st International Dementia and the Arts Reearch Conference, Royal Society for Public Health, UK

Moss, H (2017) 1st International Dementia and the Arts Reearch Conference, Royal Society for Public Health, UK.

Read more
2017

3rd International Spirituality in Healthcare Conference: ‘Creating Space for Spirituality in Healthcare', Trinity College Dublin School of Nursing and Midwifery

Moss, H (2017) 3rd International Spirituality in Healthcare Conference: ‘Creating Space for Spirituality in Healthcare', Trinity College Dublin School of Nursing and Midwifery .

Read more
2017

Culture Health and Wellbeing International Conference,Bristol, UK

Moss, H (2017) Culture Health and Wellbeing International Conference,Bristol, UK.

Read more
2016

Song performance; context and its transformative power. The 46th Kommission fur Volksdichtung International Ballad Conference: Songs of Liberation, Rebellion and Resistance

Moss, H (2016) Song performance; context and its transformative power. The 46th Kommission fur Volksdichtung International Ballad Conference: Songs of Liberation, Rebellion and Resistance.

Read more
2016

Annual Research Day , Department of Medical Gerontology & The Mercer's Institute for Research on Ageing, Trinity College Dublin

Moss, H (2016) Annual Research Day , Department of Medical Gerontology & The Mercer's Institute for Research on Ageing, Trinity College Dublin.

Read more
2016

Psycho-Oncology and the Arts 18th International Psycho-Oncology Society Congress

Moss, H (2016) Psycho-Oncology and the Arts 18th International Psycho-Oncology Society Congress.

Read more
2016

Health Research Futures Lab Research Showcase, Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick

Moss, Hilary (2016) Health Research Futures Lab Research Showcase, Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick.

Read more
2016

Re-Visioning our Voice: Resourcing music therapy for contemporary needsBritish Association of Music Therapy Bi-annual Conference, Glasgow.

Moss, Hilary (2016) Re-Visioning our Voice: Resourcing music therapy for contemporary needsBritish Association of Music Therapy Bi-annual Conference, Glasgow..

Read more
2016

Rethinking Ageing and Memory through interdisciplinary research, Long Room Hub, Trinity College Dublin

Moss, H (2016) Rethinking Ageing and Memory through interdisciplinary research, Long Room Hub, Trinity College Dublin.

Read more
2013

The Meath Foundation Research SymposiumThe Meath Foundation Research Symposium

Moss, H (2013) The Meath Foundation Research SymposiumThe Meath Foundation Research Symposium. The Meath Foundation Research SymposiumThe Meath Foundation Research Symposium

Read more
2012

ArtsCare 21st Anniversary International Arts in Heath ConferenceArtsCare 21st Anniversary International Arts in Heath Conference

Moss, H (2012) ArtsCare 21st Anniversary International Arts in Heath ConferenceArtsCare 21st Anniversary International Arts in Heath Conference. ArtsCare 21st Anniversary International Arts in Heath ConferenceArtsCare 21st Anniversary International Arts in Heath Conference

Read more
2012

Medical Gerontology Study DayMedical Gerontology Study Day

Moss, H (2012) Medical Gerontology Study DayMedical Gerontology Study Day. Medical Gerontology Study DayMedical Gerontology Study Day

Read more
2012

Music Network National Music and Health ConferenceMusic Network National Music and Health Conference

Moss, H (2012) Music Network National Music and Health ConferenceMusic Network National Music and Health Conference. Music Network National Music and Health ConferenceMusic Network National Music and Health Conference

Read more
2012

UK Association of Medical HumanitiesUK Association of Medical Humanities

Moss, H (2012) UK Association of Medical HumanitiesUK Association of Medical Humanities. UK Association of Medical HumanitiesUK Association of Medical Humanities

Read more
2011

Narratives of Health and Illness Across the LifespanNarratives of Health and Illness Across the Lifespan

Moss, H (2011) Narratives of Health and Illness Across the LifespanNarratives of Health and Illness Across the Lifespan. Narratives of Health and Illness Across the LifespanNarratives of Health and Illness Across the Lifespan

Read more
2011

European Geriatric Medicine SocietyEuropean Geriatric Medicine Society

O'Connell, C,Cassidy, A,Moss, H,O'Neill, D (2011) European Geriatric Medicine SocietyEuropean Geriatric Medicine Society. European Geriatric Medicine SocietyEuropean Geriatric Medicine Society

Read more
2011

Irish Gerontological SocietyIrish Gerontological Society

O'Connell, C,Cassidy, A,Moss, H,O'Neill, D (2011) Irish Gerontological SocietyIrish Gerontological Society. : Irish Journal of Medical ScienceIrish Journal of Medical Science Irish Gerontological SocietyIrish Gerontological Society

Read more

Conference Contributions

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Published Reports

2018

Sing while you work - the well-being benefits of workplace choirs

Moss & O'Donoghue (2018) Sing while you work - the well-being benefits of workplace choirs . Limerick : University of Limerick

Read more
2018

Dance and health research project

Moss, McLoughlin & O'Donoghue (2018) Dance and health research project. Limerick, Ireland : University of Limerick

Read more
2017

Sing Yourself Better: The Health and Well-being Benefits of Singing in a Choir

Moss, Hilary; Lynch, Julie; O'Donoghue, Jessica (2017) Sing Yourself Better: The Health and Well-being Benefits of Singing in a Choir. UL : Irish Wolrld Academy of Music and Dance

Read more

Editorials

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Book Reviews

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Other Publications

2014

National Centre for Arts and Health Annual Report 2014

Moss, Hilary (2014) National Centre for Arts and Health Annual Report 2014.

Read more
2012

National Centre for Arts and Health Annual Report 2013

Moss,Hilary (2012) National Centre for Arts and Health Annual Report 2013.

Read more
2012

Designing medical humanities curricula: What are the cultural, artistic and leisure pursuits of medical students?

Jenkins, E,Mawhinney, R,Moss, H,O’Neill, D (2012) Designing medical humanities curricula: What are the cultural, artistic and leisure pursuits of medical students?. 2nd year Research Study Day2nd year Research Study Day : School of Medicine Trinity College DublinSchool of Medicine Trinity College Dublin

Read more
2012

National Centre for Arts and Health Annual Report 2012

Moss, Hilary (2012) National Centre for Arts and Health Annual Report 2012.

Read more
2011

Perspectives: Can good arts and health practice be taught?

Moss, H (2011) Perspectives: Can good arts and health practice be taught?. : www.artsandhealth.iewww.artsandhealth.ie

Read more
2011

Aesthetic deprivation disorder? The role of the arts in hospital

Moss, H (2011) Aesthetic deprivation disorder? The role of the arts in hospital. 4th School Of Medicine Postgraduate Research Day4th School Of Medicine Postgraduate Research Day : Trinity College DublinTrinity College Dublin

Read more
2011

Aesthetic and Cultural Pursuits of Patients living with Stroke

O'Connell, C,Cassidy, A,Moss, H,O’Neill, D (2011) Aesthetic and Cultural Pursuits of Patients living with Stroke. : Trinity Medical School ConferenceTrinity Medical School Conference

Read more
2011

National Centre for Arts and HealthAnnual Report 2011

Moss, Hilary (2011) National Centre for Arts and HealthAnnual Report 2011.

Read more
2010

National Centre for Arts and Health Annual Report 2010

Moss, Hilary (2010) National Centre for Arts and Health Annual Report 2010. DublinDublin : Tallaght HospitalTallaght Hospital :15-

Read more