Assoc ProfessorCailbhe Doherty

Dr. Cailbhe Doherty is Associate Professor in the School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science at University College Dublin. His research focuses on digital health, wearable technologies, artificial intelligence, and education, with a particular interest in how emerging technologies can be translated into meaningful real-world benefit.

His work spans three broad areas: remote health monitoring and digital surveillance, multimedia learning in healthcare and education, and AI-driven tools for personalised exercise and evidence delivery. Much of this research centres on a simple challenge: we are generating unprecedented amounts of health data, but turning those streams of data into something useful for clinicians, patients, educators, and the public remains difficult.

His research group develops and evaluates technologies that attempt to bridge that gap. Current projects range from national wearable data platforms for physical activity surveillance and data donation initiatives, to AI-powered exercise prescription tools, evidence synthesis systems, and digital health education programmes. These projects involve collaborations with academic, clinical, and industry partners including Strava, Samsung, Google, and several European research initiatives.

Cailbhe has published more than 60 peer-reviewed articles, developed open datasets and patented technologies, and leads interdisciplinary projects funded by Research Ireland, the Health Research Board, Enterprise Ireland, industry, and EU programmes. Alongside his research, he serves as Associate Dean for Research, Impact and Innovation within SPHPSS, is a Funded Investigator at Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics, and contributes to research leadership within ML Labs.

Beyond the university, he regularly contributes to public discussions around wearable technologies, AI, and digital health through media appearances, public talks, and online platforms. His work has been featured by RTÉ, BBC, The Irish Times, and others.

At the centre of his work is a broader interest in translation: understanding how digital technologies can move beyond novelty and self-optimisation and become tools that genuinely improve health, education, and clinical care.