About
Toni McAloon is a Senior Lecturer in Nursing at Ulster University, affiliated with the School of Nursing and Paramedic Science within the Faculty of Life & Health Sciences. She is an active researcher in the Nursing and Health Research group with expertise spanning obesity management, intellectual disability research, and healthcare decision-making processes.
Dr. McAloon's research interests focus on critical areas in contemporary healthcare:
- Obesity management and related clinical decision-making processes
- Research methodology for studies involving adults with intellectual disabilities
- Nursing education and leadership development
- Healthcare professional-patient communication
- Ethical considerations in clinical practice and research
Her publication record reveals a strategic research trajectory, beginning with foundational work on obesity management (2010) and evolving toward methodological challenges in intellectual disability research (2018-2021), with recent emphasis on nursing education and leadership development (2023). Her work consistently addresses gaps in vulnerable population research while maintaining strong practical applications for clinical practice.
Dr. McAloon's significant contributions have been recognized through prestigious awards:
- Diabetes United Kingdom (DUK) International Conference Award for Best Research in the Nursing and Allied Health Professionals category (2016)
- RCN Research Nurse of the Year (2016)
She has led or contributed to multiple research projects spanning 14 years, demonstrating sustained scholarly activity. Her current project (2020-2024) investigates whether rapid access to Master's education for new nursing graduates enhances leadership skills and improves patient outcomes. Previous projects include examining obesity discussions in clinical settings and investigating clinicians' attitudes toward obesity and patient care.
As an academic leader, Dr. McAloon has organized significant scholarly events including the Doctoral Collaborative Conference for the Institute of Nursing and Health Research (2024) and workshops on the Factorial Survey Method in Health and Social Sciences (2010), contributing to the development of research capacity in her field.
