DrKate Carr-Fanning

Kate's research focuses on the needs and experiences of children and youth with social, emotional, and/or mental health difficulties, sometimes reffered to as behaviours of concern or challenging behaviours. She has a particular interest in neurodivergences, especially ADHD and Autism. She has developed and tested programmes of intervention (clinical and school-based), explored experiences of empowerment and belonging, identity, the neurodivergent female experience, family dynamics, and lay people’s understanding of behaviour and mental health. Beginning with her doctoral studies, Kate has a particular interest in participatory research and practice, including children’s voice and creative child-friendly research methods. She believes that research and practice should be done ‘with’ neurodivergent people. 

Kate she is an expeirenced supervisor of doctoral candidates (across Educational Psychology and Education) and reseachers. Current topics include ADHD, Autism, Emotion-based School Avoidance (EBSA), neuro-affirmative practice, peer acceptance / stigma, intervention development and evaluation, proffessional collaboration, and mental health / wellbeing.

Kate has spoken about her research and published nationally and internationally – writing book chapters and books (e.g., Lived Places Publishing, Open University Press), and articles (both peer reviewed scientific and lay articles) in her areas of interest. She has been on several Editorial Board and regularly reivews for several journals, including: Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs (JORSEN), Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, Brain Sciences, and Frontiers in Education.

Kate has almost 20 years of experience working with and in a range of national and international ADHD and SEN organisations, engaging in research, and supporting service development, provision, and evaluation. At present, she is a Director of ADHD Ireland and she sits on the Professional Advisory Board of ADHD Europe.