Simon Dunne

Dr. Simon Dunne is an Associate Professor in Psychology at Dublin City University's School of Psychology within the Faculty of Science and Health. He serves as the Programme Chairperson of the MSc in Psychology (Conversion) programme and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Convenor for the School of Psychology. His academic work is deeply integrated with the DCU Cancer Research Group where he is a Principal Investigator in the Psycho-Oncology/Cancer Survivorship stream.

Dr. Dunne's research interests span cancer survivorship, psycho-oncology, existential issues in health and illness, body and self in illness and wellness, and stigma/discrimination among minority communities. His work has increasingly expanded to address equality, diversity and inclusion topics, including understanding unmet needs for underserved communities and tackling online racism and discrimination. His teaching portfolio includes advanced research methods and statistics for psychology, conceptual/theoretical issues in psychology, and examining how technology shapes our mind and behavior.

Analysis of Dr. Dunne's recent publications reveals a strong focus on cancer-related psychological impacts, particularly examining body image issues following cancer treatment, caregiver experiences, and the psychological effects on family members of cancer patients. His work also demonstrates significant contributions to sports psychology, especially regarding athlete burnout in Gaelic games players, with multiple studies examining the pandemic's impact on athletic performance and mental health. Methodologically, his research employs both qualitative approaches and systematic reviews across these domains.

• President's Award for Excellence in Teaching (short-listed) - 2017
• President's Award for Engagement (short-listed) - 2017
• Best Cancer Survivorship Poster - All-Ireland Cancer Consortium Conference - 2015
• Best Poster - DCU School of Nursing and Human Sciences Research Expo - 2018

Dr. Dunne has supervised numerous students across multiple research projects and has secured significant funding from organizations including the Health Research Board and Irish Cancer Society. His current research projects include ENHANCE (enhancing health literacy among cancer caregivers), SCORE (Supportive Care fOR Everybody affected by lung cancer), and studies on body image following cancer treatment. He serves on the Executive Committee for the Irish Psychosocial Oncology Network and various DCU committees related to equality, diversity and inclusion, including the DCU Race Equality Working Group. His research demonstrates strong community engagement with practical applications for improving cancer care and addressing social inequalities.