Michael O'Connell

Assoc. Professor Michael O’Connell is affiliated with the School of Psychology at University College Dublin (UCD). He holds an Associate Professor position since 2005. His academic journey includes a BA (First Class Hons) from Trinity College Dublin, an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics, and a Ph.D. from Trinity College Dublin. He previously served as a Lecturer in Social Psychology at Trinity College Dublin (1993–1999) and UCD (1999–2005).

His research focuses on social psychology, criminal justice system dynamics, education policy, socioeconomic disparities, and mental health. Notable studies include examining the impact of cognitive ability and genetics on educational achievement, disparities in sentencing preferences, and the role of prosocial video games in fostering empathy.

He has received the Graduate Psychology Prize from Trinity College Dublin and served as Guest Editor for the Irish Criminal Law Journal. His teaching spans modules like Advanced Social Psychology, Psychology and Crime, and Topics in Psychological Science.