Dr Denis O'Hora
Description
Denis O'Hora is a lecturer in psychology at the National University of Ireland, in Galway. His main research interest lies in the role of 'relational responding'. "When we think, we set up relations between ideas or things in our world - whether we view ourselves as being "late" for work, having "less" money than we need, or "more" of a man or woman than someone we don't respect," he says.
As well as examining the role of these processes in thinking and identifying them in the brain, Dr O'Hora is interested in finding practical consequences for his research - for example, within organisations to inform the way a company sets its business goals.
Previously at the University of Ulster, he was part of the course team that developed the first Masters in Applied Behaviour Analysis on the island of Ireland. This was supported by an International Development grant from the Society for the Advancement of Behaviour Analysis.
Benefit
Dr O'Hora says: "As an experimental psychologist, my work is lab-based so Crucible was an opportunity to meet other people in research roles to see how they were dealing with similar issues.
"Better than that though was the fact that here was group of people who wanted to change things, who wanted to make something happen - I found that inspiring.
"Crucible demystified how decisions are made at a bureaucratic level, showing where the power really lies in UK science."
Impact
Since participating in Crucible, Dr O'Hora has taken up his post at the National University of Ireland.
He is using new-found skills as part of his ongoing commitment to promote psychology and to recruit and train the next generation of researchers.
Dr O'Hora adds: "The connections I have made will continue to benefit my work for years to come. The experience has given me a more integrated perspective. The result is that I feel able to contribute more to the academic environment, not only in Ireland but across Europe."
Written: March 2007
Individual:
Dr Denis O'Hora
Programme:
Crucible
Discipline:
Psychology
Location:
Galway, Ireland
Year attended:
2006
Website:
www.nuigalway.ie/