Sarah Cooney

Dr. Sarah Cooney is an Assistant Professor at University College Dublin's School of Psychology and Director of the UCD Body Lab. She holds a PhD from University College Dublin and has postdoctoral experience at Trinity College Dublin. Her research focuses on body image, interoception, perceptual cognition, and eating disorders, with a particular interest in how these factors interact across diverse populations. She has secured grants including the Ad Astra Start-Up and the HRB-funded BodyWise project. Dr. Cooney actively contributes to public engagement, including events on body image and mental health, and serves on committees such as the EDIP (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in Psychology). She teaches courses like 'Brain & Behaviour' and coordinates advanced research methods modules. Her work bridges experimental psychology with educational technology, exemplified by her development of the Cartesian-Garden VR tool for teaching mathematics.

• PhD: University College Dublin
• Postdoctoral Fellowships: Trinity College Dublin (2017–2019) and UCD (2018–2019)

Her research interests include:

• Body representation and sensorimotor integration
• Interoceptive awareness and its clinical implications
• Developmental spatial-numerical cognition
• Multisensory learning in immersive environments

Dr. Cooney's articles explore topics ranging from body image disturbances in adulthood to the influence of sports/music experience on motor imagery. She has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and actively participates in academic conferences, including the Psychonomic Society and Spatial Cognition events.