Biography
- Dr Michelle Kelly graduated from Maynooth University with a BA Hons degree in Psychology in 2006 and a doctorate in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Therapy in 2011. She is also a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst - Doctoral level (BCBA-D) and an Internationally Accredited Trainer in Cognitive Stimulation Therapy with University College London. Michelle completed a post-doc in the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN) from 2011 to 2014 where she collaborated with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland on dementia research. She held a lectureship in Maynooth University from 2014 to 2017 and lectured on Psychology undergraduate and doctoral programmes. Michelle joined the NCI Psychology Team in September 2017. Her research focuses on lifestyle interventions to improve cognitive outcomes for older adults, early interventions for people with dementia, and ABA interventions for children with autism. She currently collaborates on research with the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), the ABA programme in Trinity College Dublin, and with the Alzheimer Society and Sonas APC. She is incoming secretary of the Psychological Society of Ireland's (PSI) Division of Behaviour Analysis and coordinates the Alzheimer Cafe in Glasnevin.
Key Responsibilities at NCI
- Module Coordinator and Assistant Professor:
- Advanced Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience (3rd Years)
- Cognitive Psychology (2nd Years)
- Final Year Project Seminars (3rd Years)
- Dissertation Supervisor for Undergraduate and Masters students
Education / Qualifications
- Board Certified Behaviour Analyst© Doctoral level (BCBA-D) - Behaviour Analyst Certification Board, Littleton, Colorado.
- Doctorate in Psychological Science (Behaviour Analysis and Therapy) - Maynooth University.
- B.A. Honours Degree (1:1) in Psychology - Maynooth University.
- FETAC Level 5 Award in Sport and Recreation - Moate Business College.
Academic Experience
- Lecturer in Psychology, National College of Ireland (2017 - present)
- Lecturer in Psychology, Maynooth University (2015-2017)
- Assistant Lecturer in Psychology, Maynooth University (2014-2015)
- Early Intervention Research Coordinator, Trinity College Dublin and Alzheimer Society of Ireland (2011-2014)
- Classroom Supervisor and Applied Behaviour (ABA) Instructor, ABACAS School for Children with Autism (2007-2011)
Esteem
- Editorial Board Member Behaviour Analysis in Practice (2017 - present)
- Recipient of the University of Cambridge's Insights for Impact Award for High impact contribution to the field of cognition and neuroscience for the paper The Impact of Exercise on the Cognitive Functioning of Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis published in Aging Research Reviews.
- Recipient of the Health Research Board (HRB) Award for Best Poster Presentation at the Annual Cochrane in Ireland Conference, Dublin City University.
- Recipient of the W.J. Smyth Prize awarded for the Highest Academic Standing in Final Year Psychology (B.A. Hons.), Maynooth University.
- Recipient of a 'Highly Commended' Award at the Annual Psychology Student Congress, Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI): received for Excellent Thesis Presentation, and Outstanding Research and Communication.
- Recipient of the Prize for Best Overall Academic Performance in 2nd Year Psychology (B.A. Hons.), Maynooth University.
Committee Membership
- Steering Committee Member - Psychological Society of Ireland's Division of Behaviour Analysis
- Co-founder and coordinator of the Alzheimer's Café Glasnevin
- Scientific Advisory Panel member - Alzheimer Society of Ireland
- Member of the Board of Directors - ABA Ireland
Professional Body Membership
- Graduate Member - Psychological Society of Ireland
- Member - The Association of Behavior Analysis International (ABAI; Special Interest Groups of Autism, Behavioral Gerontology, Neuroscience, Rehabilitation and Independent Living, and Verbal Behaviour).
- Member - The Association of Contextual Behavior Analysis (ACBS) and the Irish Contextual Behavior Society (ICBS).
Research Grants
In Progress:
- Health Research Board (HRB) call for Applying Research into Policy & Practice Postdoctoral Fellowships (ARPP) 2018. Role: Principal Investigator.
Under Review:
- Irish Research Council (IRC) Laureate Scheme Award (€400,000). Project Title: Examining the Relationship between Relational Flexibility and Cognitive and Everyday Functioning in Older Adults. Role: Principal Investigator.
Awarded:
- Maynooth University Conference & Workshop Fund (2015). Awarded €500 to fund an academic workshop with a US speaker. Role: Primary Applicant.
- The Ireland Funds (2015). Awarded €5000 to develop and disseminate a Cognitive Rehabilitation Manual for Healthcare Professionals. Role: Co-applicant and Research Coordinator.
- Pobal Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector (2014). Awarded to deliver Cognitive Stimulation Therapy to people with dementia. Role: Co-applicant and Research Coordinator.
- The Coca Cola 'Thank You Fund' (2012). Awarded €10,000 (as Principal Investigator) to deliver evidence-based interventions to people with early stage dementia. Role: Co-applicant and Research Coordinator.
- Grundtvig Europe and Leargas LLP (2012). Awarded €1,560 to fund travel, accommodation, and expenses to attend a 7-day training course on designing cognitive interventions. Individual application.
- HRB 2-day Cochrane Training Fellowship (2012). Awarded a 2-day Cochrane Systematic Review Course. Co-ordinated and wrote grant. Individual application.
- Genio Grant, Dementia Programme (2011). €1million awarded to develop a dementia awareness campaign. Role: Coordinated grant application with 13 consortium members, co-applicant.
Doctoral Research Supervision
Postdoctoral Research (ongoing):
- Dr Diana Bast: Applied Behaviour Analysis and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Collaboration with Dr Ian Steward (National University of Ireland, Galway). Ongoing.
PhD Research (ongoing):
- Ciara Buggle: Examining the impact of lifestyle factors on the cognitive health of older adults. Collaboration with Dr Joanna McHugh (National College of Ireland). Ongoing.
Doctoral Research (Completed June 2017):
- Barnard, Marthinius: PEAK Relational Training System: Exploring the Practical Implementation of the Generalization Training and Direct Training Modules.
- Callaghan, Ruth: 'Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure Examination of Attitudes towards Alcohol'.
- Cleary, Louise Maria: Investigating the Impact of Brief Cognitive Defusion Intervention on State Anxiety and Psychological Inflexibility/Avoidance.
- Curtis, Aisling Bridget: Using the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) to explore implicit versus self-report attitudes toward bullying with student at post-primary and university level.
- Dennehy, June: Behavioural Methodologies to Teach Relational Responding to Preschool Children with Diagnosed Autism.
- Fawcett, Emma: Combining PEAK (Promoting the Emergence of Advances Knowledge) with Other Teaching Methodologies with children with and without Learning Delays.
- Gallagher, Roisin: Developing the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) as a Measure of Bias toward Pupils with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Hines, Roberta: The Impact of Teaching the PEAK Relational Training System within a Pre-School Setting.
- Murphy, Rachel: Using the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure to Examine Implicit Beauty-Bias in the Context of Employability Evaluations.
- Nolan, Conor: Using the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure to Investigate Teachers' Attitudes towards Students with ADHD and Anxiety.
- O'Halloran, Orla: An Investigation into Implicit and Explicit Attitudes toward Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) versus Typically Developing Children.
Research Publications
Published International Journal Articles
- Murphy, Carol, Maloney, Emma and Kelly, Michelle (2022) "The Role of Relational Contextual Cues versus Relational Coherence Indicators as Response Options on the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure". The Psychological Record. ISSN 2163-3452 (Epub ahead of print).
- Franz, Kathleen and Kelly, Michelle E. (2021) "The Behavioural Outcomes of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Disabilities as Perceived by Parents during the COVID-19 Lockdown". Disabilities, 1 (4). pp. 347-360. ISSN 2673-7272.
- Kelly, Amanda D. and Kelly, Michelle E. (2021) "Acceptance and Commitment Training in Applied Behavior Analysis: Where Have You Been All My Life?" Behavior Analysis in Practice. ISSN 2196-8934.
- Nolan, Conor, Murphy, Carol and Kelly, Michelle E. (2021) "Using the IRAP to Investigate Gender Biases Towards ADHD and Anxiety". The Psychological Record. ISSN 2163-3452.
- Rice, Henry, Murphy, Carol, Nolan, Conor and Kelly, Michelle E. (2020) "Measuring implicit attractiveness bias in the context of innocence and guilt evaluations". International Journal of Psychology & Psychological Therapy, 20 (3). pp. 273-285. ISSN 1577-7057.
- Curtis, Aisling, Foody, Mairéad, Kelly, Michelle E. and Murphy, Carol (2020) "Using the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure to explore students’ implicit age discrimination of toxic versus innocuous phrases". International Journal of Psychology & Psychological Therapy, 20 (3). pp. 241-257. ISSN 1577-7057.
- Murphy, Rachel, Murphy, Carol, Kelly, Michelle E. and Roche, Bryan (2020) "Using the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) to Examine Implicit Beauty Bias in the Context of Employability". The Psychological Record. ISSN 2163-3452. DOI: 10.1007/s40732-020-00427-w
- Kelly, Michelle E. (2020) "The Potential of a Relational Training Intervention to Improve Older Adults’ Cognition". Behavior Analysis in Practice. ISSN 2196-8934. DOI: 10.1007/s40617-020-00415-0
- Bast, Diana Ferroni, Lyons, Christina, Stewart, Ian, Connor, Thomas, Kelly, Michelle E. and Goyos, Celso (2020) "The Effect of Educational Messages on Implicit and Explicit Attitudes towards Individuals on the Autism Spectrum versus Normally Developing Individuals". The Psychological Record. ISSN 2163-3452. DOI: 10.1007/s40732-019-00363-4
- Kelly, Michelle E., Loughrey, David G., McHugh Power, Joanna E., McEvoy, Claire, Sheerin, Corina and Pennie, Brian (2019) "The Impact of Adherence to the Traditional Mediterranean Diet and Sex Differences on Global Cognitive Functioning: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis". Journal of Cognitive Enhancement. ISSN 2509-3304. DOI: 10.1007/s41465-019-00143-6
- Kelly, Michelle E., Lawlor, Brian A., Coen, R. F., Robertson, Ian H. and Brennan, Sabina (2019) "Cognitive rehabilitation for early stage Alzheimer’s disease: a pilot study with an Irish population". Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 36 (2). pp. 105-119. ISSN 2051-6967. DOI: 10.1017/ipm.2017.23 (Impact Factor 0.13).
- Murphy, Carol, Lyons, Keith, Kelly, Michelle E., Barnes-Holmes, Yvonne and Barnes-Holmes, Dermot (2019) "Using the Teacher IRAP (T-IRAP) interactive computerized programme to teach complex flexible relational responding with children with diagnosed autism spectrum disorder". Behavior Analysis in Practice, 12 (1). pp. 52-65. ISSN 2196-8934. DOI: 10.1007/s40617-018-00302-9
- Kane, Alan, Murphy, Carol and Kelly, Michelle E. (2018) "Assessing implicit and explicit dementia stigma in young adults and care-workers". Dementia. ISSN 1741-2684. DOI: 10.1177/1471301218804727
- Pennie, Brian and Kelly, Michelle E. (2018) "An examination of generalised implicit biases towards 'wanting more' as a proxy measure of materialistic behaviour: A Relational Frame Theory (RFT) perspective". Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 8. pp. 17-28. ISSN 2212-1447.
- Loughrey, David G., Kelly, Michelle E., Kelley, George A., Brennan, Sabina and Lawlor, Brian A. (2018) "Association of Age-Related Hearing Loss With Cognitive Function, Cognitive Impairment, and Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis". JAMA Otolaryngology. ISSN 2168-619X, 144 (2). pp. 115-126. DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2017.2513.
- Pennie, Brian and Kelly, Michelle E. (2017). "Examining a Relational Frame Theory (RFT) account of materialism using the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP)". Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science. ISSN 2212-1447.
- Kelly, Michelle E., Duff, Hollie, Kelly, Sara, McHugh Power, Joanna E., Brennan, Sabina, Lawlor, Brian A. and Loughrey, David G. (2017). "The impact of social activities, social networks, social support and social relationships on the cognitive functioning of healthy older adults: a systematic review". Systematic Reviews, 6 (259). ISSN 2046-4053.
- Loughrey, David G., Lavecchia, Sara, Brennan, Sabina, Lawlor, Brian A. and Kelly, Michelle E. (2017). "The Impact of the Mediterranean Diet on the Cognitive Functioning of Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis". Advances in Nutrition, 8 (4). pp. 571-586. ISSN 2156-5376. (Impact Factor: 5.23)
- Kelly, Michelle E., Finan, S., Lawless, M., Scully, N., Fitzpatrick, J., Quigley, M., Tyrrell, F., O'Regan, A. and Devane, A. (2017). "An evaluation of community-based cognitive stimulation therapy: a pilot study with an Irish population of people with dementia". Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 34 (3). pp. 157-167. ISSN 2051-6967. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/ipm.2016.23
- Lambe, Danielle, Murphy, Carol and Kelly, Michelle E. (2015). "The Impact of a Precision Teaching Intervention on the Reading Fluency of Typically Developing Children". Behavioral Interventions, 30 (4). pp. 364-377. ISSN 1099-078X. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bin.1418 (Impact Factor 0.40)
- Murphy, Carol, Hussey, Tara, Barnes-Holmes, Dermot and Kelly, Michelle E. (2015). "The Implicit Relational Assessment procedure (IRAP) and attractiveness bias". Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 4 (4). pp. 292-299. ISSN 2212-1447. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2015.08.001 (Impact Factor: 1.62)
- Kelly, Michelle E. and Barnes-Holmes, Dermot (2015). "Measuring Implicit and Explicit Acceptability of Reinforcement Versus Punishment Interventions with Teachers Working in ABA Versus Mainstream Schools". The Psychological Record, 65 (2). pp. 251-265. ISSN 2163-3452. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40732-014-0101-4 (Impact Factor: 0.86)
- Kelly, Michelle E., Loughrey, David G., Lawlor, Brian A., Robertson, Ian H., Walsh, Cathal D. and Brennan, Sabina (2014). "The impact of cognitive training and mental stimulation on cognitive and everyday functioning of healthy older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Ageing Research Reviews, 15. pp. 28-43. ISSN 1568-1637. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2014.02.004 (Impact Factor: 8.08)
- Kelly, Michelle E., Loughrey, David G., Lawlor, Brian A., Robertson, Ian H., Walsh, Cathal D. and Brennan, Sabina (2014). "The impact of exercise on the cognitive functioning of healthy older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Ageing Research Reviews, 16. pp. 12-31. ISSN 1568-1637. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2014.05.002 (Impact Factor: 8.08)
- Kelly, Michelle E., Loughrey, David G., Lawlor, Brian A., Robertson, Ian H., Walsh, Cathal D. and Brennan, Sabina (2012) "Interventions impacting cognitive function in healthy older adults: a meta-analysis". PROSPERO 2012: CRD42012003248. Available from: http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.asp?ID=CRD42012003248
Manuscripts in Preparation
Published Reports
Conference Presentations
- Kelly, Michelle, Lawlor, Brian, Coen, Robert, Robertson, Ian, Finan, Sinead, Lawless, M., Scully, N., Fitzpatrick, J., Quigley, M., Tyrrell, F., O'Regan, A. and Devane, A. (2022) "A multi-disciplinary approach to offering community based cognitive interventions to people with early-stage dementia in Ireland". In: 18th Congress of the European Geriatric Medicine Society, 28th-30th September 2022, London, United Kingdom.
- Kent, Gráinne and Kelly, Michelle E. (2018) "An evidence-based, multidisciplinary and collaborative approach towards implementing a behaviourally orientated curriculum in a Department of Education Autism Preschool". In: 30th Conference of the Irish Association of Teachers in Special Education, 25th May 2018, DCU St Patricks Campus, Drumcondra, Dublin.
- Kelly, Michelle E. (2017). "Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for early stage dementia: A pilot study with an Irish population". In: The Psychological Society of Ireland's Public Health and Medicine (PHM) Annual Conference, 3rd March 2017, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin.
- Kelly, Michelle E. (2014). "Cognitive rehabilitation research study for people with early Alzheimer's disease". In: The Psychological Society of Ireland's Early Graduate Group Annual Conference, 18th January 2014, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin.
- Kelly, Michelle E. (2014). "A systematic review and meta-analysis of cognitive interventions for older adults without known cognitive decline". In: 10th Annual Cochrane in Ireland Conference, 24th January 2014, Dublin City University, Dublin.
- Kelly, Michelle E., Lawlor, Brian A., Robertson, Ian H. and Brennan, Sabina (2013). "Cognitive Rehabilitation for Early Stage Alzheimer’s Disease". In: 61st Annual and Scientific Meeting of the Irish Gerontological Society, 20th-21st September 2013, Croke Park Conference Centre, Dublin.
- Cunningham, Seamus and Kelly, Michelle E. (2013). "In conversation with Seamus Cunningham; Living with Alzheimer's disease". In: 3rd National Memory Clinic Conference, 26th April 2013, Guinness Storehouse, Dublin.
- Kelly, Michelle E. and Brennan, Sabina (2012). "Lifestyle Interventions to Protect against Dementia: Practical Recommendations based on Empirical Evidence". In: 22nd Alzheimer Europe Conference, 4th-6th October 2012, Vienna, Austria.
- Kelly, Michelle E. and Barnes-Holmes, Dermot (2011). "Measuring the acceptability of behavioural interventions in ABA and mainstream schools". In: The Conference of the British Psychological Society, Northern Ireland (BPS-NI), April 2011, Manor Hotel, Fermanagh.
- Kelly, Michelle E. and Barnes-Holmes, Dermot (2011). "Developing the implicit relational assessment procedure (IRAP) as a measure of treatment acceptability". In: The Division of Behaviour Analysis (DBA) Annual Conference, April 2011, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin.
- Kelly, Michelle E. and Barnes-Holmes, Dermot (2010). "Employing a word-based implicit relational assessment procedure (IRAP) to assess treatment acceptability". In: 40th Annual Conference of the Psychological Society of Ireland, 11th-14th November 2010, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
- Kelly, Michelle E. and Barnes-Holmes, Yvonne (2006). "Faking implicit attitudes: Exploring the robustness of the implicit relational assessment procedure". In: 28th Annual Congress of Psychology Students of Ireland, 7th-8th April 2006, NUI Maynooth, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
Invited Presentations
- Kelly, Michelle E. (2014). "Evidence-based interventions to improve health and functional outcomes for people with early-stage dementia". In: School of Nursing, Trinity College Dublin, Special Workshop Series, March 2014, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.
- Kelly, Michelle E. (2013). "Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Interventions for Alzheimer's and Dementia-Related Difficulties". In: NUIM Psychology Department Special Lecture Series, 18th November 2013, NUI Maynooth, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
- Kelly, Michelle E. (2013). "The role of behaviour analysis in the treatment of dementia". In: Psychological Society of Ireland: Early Graduate Group (PSI EGG) lecture, October 2013, PSI HQ, Grantham House, Dublin.
- Kelly, Michelle E. (2013). "Behaviour analysis in dementia care". In: Guest Lecture, ABA Doctorate Class, July 2013, NUI Maynooth, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
- Kelly, Michelle E. and Brennan, Sabina (2013). "Early interventions in dementia". In: Alzheimer Café Bloomfield, May 2013, Bloomfield Hospital, Stocking Lane, Rathfarnham, Dublin.
- Kelly, Michelle E., Brennan, Sabina and Robertson, Ian H. (2013). "Lifestyle interventions for healthy cognitive ageing: A review". In: TCIN Robertson Lab Meeting, January 2013, Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin.
- Kelly, Michelle E. and Brennan, Sabina (2013). "Healthy cognition for people with dementia and older adults". In: Alzheimer Café Donnybrook, January 2013, The Avila Centre, Donnybrook, Dublin.
- Kelly, Michelle E. (2012). "A background on dementia care in Ireland". In: Training Presentation at Seil Bleu Ireland, August 2012, Clonskeagh, Dublin.
- Kelly, Michelle E. (2012). "Cognitive Simulation Therapy (CST) and Cognitive Rehabilitation (CR) for dementia". In: Alzheimer Society Regional Managers Meeting, July 2012, Ashling Hotel, Dublin.
- Kelly, Michelle E. (2012). "Early interventions and dementia". In: Alzheimer Society Staff Training, April 2012, National Office, Blackrock, Dublin.
- Kelly, Michelle E. and Brennan, Sabina (2012). "Cognitive health and lifestyle interventions". In: TCIN Robertson Lab Meeting, February 2012, Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin.
Conference Organising
- Member of the organising committee of the DNNI (Dementia and Neurodegeneration Network Ireland) Conference on "Building Platforms for Sustainable Research in Dementia and Neurodegeneration" held in King's Inns, Dublin on Thursday 30th November 2017. (This meeting included 8 national and international speakers and approximately 80 delegates).
- The Division of Behaviour Analysis (DBA) Conference 2017: Lead organiser, 40th Anniversary Conference of the DBA. 11th-13th May 2017, Trinity College Dublin.
- The DBA Conference 2016: Lead organiser, Tenth Annual Conference of the DBA, 10th-11th June 2016. Maynooth University.
- Workshop, Yvonne O'Connor (Institute of Child Education and Psychology Europe): Lead organiser, one-day workshop for Psychologists and clinicians, 24th June 2017, PSI HQ Dublin.
- Workshop, Dr Jacob Daar (University of Illinois, California): Lead organiser, one-day workshop on interventions for children with autism, 3rd November 2016, Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth.
Research Interests
- Lifestyle interventions to promote healthy cognitive ageing; early interventions for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia; behavioural gerontology, Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and behaviour therapy; Relational Frame Theory (RFT) and derived relational responding.