Aoife Sadlier

Aoife Sadlier is a Post-doctoral Research Associate at King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), based in the David Goldberg Centre. She holds a PhD in Culture, Media and Creative Industries from King's College London, alongside degrees in music, psychosocial studies, and Zumba Fitness Instruction. Her research integrates disciplines such as mental health advocacy, sport for development, and participatory methodologies, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries like Nepal and East Timor.

Education: BMus (CIT), LRSM Diploma in Cello Performance (ABRSM), MA in Psychosocial Studies (Birkbeck College), B1 Certificate in Zumba Fitness Instruction (Zumba Fitness), and PhD (King’s College London).

Research Interests: User-led mental health frameworks, sport and culture in sustainable development, gender/sexuality studies, and participatory research methodologies. She co-leads the EURIKHA project (Wellcome Trust-funded), analyzing social movements among those with severe mental health challenges. Her work also explores sport’s role in fostering community resilience and empowerment, particularly through collaborations in Nepal.

Advocacy and Outreach: Aoife bridges academia and activism through Zumba Fitness, connecting with global communities. She co-organized fundraising events in Nepal, co-produced films on youth empowerment, and lectures on Sport for Development in institutions like the National Sports Council (Kathmandu). She is co-authoring a book on unconventional development approaches and contributes to policy reports on urban resilience.