معرفی
Helen O'Keeffe serves as Acting Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Liverpool, with strategic responsibility for the student journey and all external relationships nationally and internationally. She holds a prominent leadership position within the university's educational framework while maintaining an active research profile.
Dr. O'Keeffe's research is fundamentally grounded in inclusion and social justice, with particular emphasis on children and families affected by imprisonment and their engagement with educational systems. She has developed significant expertise in mental health interventions within educational contexts, most notably as co-lead of the multi-award winning Tackling the Blues program. This prevention and early intervention mental health initiative for children and young people is delivered through partnerships with Everton in the Community and Tate Liverpool.
Her recent scholarly output demonstrates a clear trajectory toward mental health literacy in educational settings, with multiple publications examining school-based mental health programs from diverse perspectives. Her work consistently integrates arts, sports, and community partnerships to address mental health challenges among children and young people, reflecting an interdisciplinary approach to educational research.
- Educate North Mental Health and Wellbeing award
- North West Coast Research and Innovation award for Tackling Health Inequalities
Dr. O'Keeffe actively supervises PhD students in social justice in education, children and families affected by imprisonment, and children's mental health and wellbeing across educational, sport, and arts contexts. She currently serves as a Co-Investigator on the Arts4Us project (2024-2027), which aims to scale up place-based arts initiatives supporting children's mental health through a collaborative effort involving multiple academic and community partners.
Her research activities are closely aligned with the Sport, Work and Health Research Group, and she maintains extensive collaborations with community organizations to translate academic research into practical mental health interventions that address real-world challenges facing children and young people.
