Patrick Stark

Patrick Stark is a Lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queen's University Belfast (QUB). His work focuses on designing, implementing, and evaluating educational interventions, particularly in gerontology and healthcare education. Key research areas include improving care for older adults, evidence-based programme design, and applying cognitive psychology to education. He leads modules on Evidence-Based Nursing and Digital Literacy for undergraduates and teaches research methods at postgraduate levels.

Research Interests:

• Geriatric care interventions (oral health, restrictive practices in care homes, dementia education)
• Evidence synthesis and RCT methodologies
• Co-design of digital tools for healthcare professionals and students (games, podcasts)
• Public health education for children and nursing students

Recent Projects:

• Developed digital interventions for diabetes education in care homes (Burdett Trust for Nursing)
• Co-created a pancreatic cancer awareness game (Northern Ireland Pancreatic Cancer)
• Designed serious games to improve nursing perception in schools

Awards: Recognized for teaching excellence and innovation, including the 2024 Nurse Education Provider of the Year (team) and multiple Queen's University awards. Shortlisted for Dementia Hero Awards (2023) and Postdoctoral Awards (2021-2022).

Advising & Grants: Supervises four PhD students in Chronic Illness & Palliative Care and Education & Practice. Actively involved in pedagogical research through the Education and Practice theme group. Secured funding for projects via the Burdett Trust, ESRC, and WHO.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams including clinicians, psychologists, and educators. Member of QUB's Merit Award Assessment Panel and editorial boards for BMC Geriatrics and PLOS One.