DrSonam Banka-Cullen

(She/Her)

Lecturer/Assistant Professor (Ad Astra Fellow)

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems

  • Lecturer/Assistant Professor (Ad Astra Fellow)
    School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems
  • University College Dublin, School of Nursing Midwifery and Health Systems

BIO

With over 13 years of academic experience, Dr Sonam Banka-Cullen specialises in digital health, health informatics, health innovation, psychology, mental health, child health, and substance use.
 
In research, Dr Banka-Cullen has secured over €7.3 million in funding and led impactful projects on digital health, child health and wellbeing, community and mental health, and addiction. She has directed multiple mixed-methods research studies, disseminated findings widely at national and international levels. Her research has contributed directly to policy development, informed evidence reviews, and facilitated the acquisition of further national and international funding for initiatives addressing pressing health and social challenges.
 
As an educator, Dr Banka-Cullen has extensive experience in module coordination, curriculum development, and transdisciplinary teaching. She incorporates innovative approaches such as design thinking to connect students with real-world applications of knowledge. Her excellence in teaching was recognised in 2018, when she was named the highest-rated lecturer.
 
Dr Banka-Cullen is currently an Ad Astra Fellow and Assistant Professor in Digital Health and Health Informatics. She holds a BA (Hons) in Psychology, a PhD in Psychology from Trinity College Dublin focused on child health, a Postgraduate Certificate in Statistics, a Postgraduate Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and a Higher Diploma in Data Analytics in Science.
 
Dr Banka-Cullen remains committed to fostering critical thinking and evidence-based practice, advancing high-quality teaching, and generating meaningful research outcomes that improve health and wellbeing among vulnerable communities.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN APPOINTMENTS

  • Ad Astra Fellow (Assistant Prof) in Digital Health & Health Informatics
    University College Dublin, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, Dublin, Ireland1 Sep 2025

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

  • Research Fellow and Project Manager
    Trinity College Dublin, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Dublin, Ireland1 Jan 2020 - 31 Aug 2025
  • Programme Lead
    Trinity College Dublin, Tangent, Trinity's Ideas Workspace (now Portal), Dublin, Ireland1 Nov 2019 - 1 Jan 2020
  • Researcher
    Trinity College Dublin, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Dublin, Ireland3 Sep 2018 - 1 Nov 2018
  • Teaching Fellow
    Trinity College Dublin, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Dublin, Ireland3 Oct 2016 - 3 Sep 2018
  • Researcher
    Trinity College Dublin, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Dublin, Ireland1 Sep 2011 - 1 Oct 2016

NON-ACADEMIC POSITIONS

  • Board Member and Chair of Research Committee
    Children in Hospital Ireland, Ireland2 Sep 2024
  • Board Director
    Youth Advocate Programmes Ireland, Ireland2 Dec 2024

DEGREES

  • BA (Hons)
    Dublin Business School IRL
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
    Trinity College Dublin
  • Higher Diploma
    National College of Ireland
  • Postgraduate Certificate
    Trinity College Dublin

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Enacting Education for Sustainable Development
    Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland3 Jun 2024
  • Introduction to Teaching and Supporting Learning
    Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
  • Lego Serious Play Facilitator
    Lego Serious Play
  • Migrants Against Exploitation Trainer Programme
    Migrants Rights Centre Ireland
  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
    The Oasis Centre
  • Diploma in International Travel Industry Studies
    International Academy of Travel

LANGUAGES

  • French
    Can read, write, speak and understand
  • Creoles and pidgins French based
    Can read, write, speak and understand
  • Hindi
    Can read, write, speak and understand
  • Urdu
    Can speak and understand
  • English
    Can read, write, speak, understand and peer review