Enda Cunningham

Enda Cunningham is a part-time Professional and Academic Tutor on the Doctorate in Educational, Child & Adolescent Psychology (DECAP) programme at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), while practicing as a Senior Educational Psychologist with the Education Authority. His roles include Year 1 Tutor and Placement Coordinator for DECAP, overseeing placements and providing academic and professional supervision to trainee Educational Psychologists.

**Education:**

• BA (Hons) in Psychology, Queen’s University Belfast
• MSc in Developmental and Educational Psychology
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), Stranmillis Teaching College

**Research Interests:**

Enda’s work focuses on Educational Psychology, Special Educational Needs, and Inclusion. He has conducted interventions targeting children with Dyslexia, behavioral challenges, and severe learning difficulties. His research includes developing guidelines for Dyslexia assessments and analyzing the impact of behavioral support programs. He emphasizes evidence-based practices, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness interventions, to address mental health and learning challenges in children.

**Professional Contributions:**

Enda has contributed to policy development, including the Education Authority’s Action Plan post-board merger, and chaired a working group to design a time allocation model for school psychology services. He has also participated in inter-board initiatives, such as shaping language policies and developing diagnostic tools for the Department of Education. His leadership includes managing the Dungannon Psychology Team and the Challenging Behaviour Team within the Southern Education and Library Board (SEELB).

**Grants and Projects:**

He secured funding for an Assistive Technology Project aimed at supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), demonstrating his commitment to innovative interventions. His work has been presented at conferences, including QUB’s 50th Educational Psychology Anniversary Conference and the 2021 Northern Ireland Branch of the BPS Conference.

**Awards and Recognition:**

While no specific awards are listed, his contributions to education and policy have been impactful, reflecting his dedication to advancing inclusive practices and evidence-based solutions in educational psychology.

**Advising and Mentorship:**

Enda has supervised numerous trainee Educational Psychologists, guiding research on topics such as mindfulness for literacy difficulties, mental health in schools, and the effectiveness of nurture groups. His mentorship extends to sports, where he has coached and mentored youth football teams.

**Labs/Teams:**

His work is closely tied to the DECAP program and collaborative projects with the Education Authority, reflecting a focus on bridging academic research with practical applications in educational settings.