Projects

The BRIDGE Project is an EU-funded ERASMUS+ KA220-YOU initiative involving partners from Greece, Cyprus, Spain, Croatia, and Ireland, with DCU as the lead partner. The BRIDGE project’s main goal is “to promote responsible and safe Internet use by engaging with autistic youth to learn about their views of the internet, how they interact with online platforms and content and with others online” through co-participative research. The project will produce resources for families and professionals, including a toolkit and training on healthy digital engagement.

Collaborators:  Jane O'Kelly, Neil Kenny and Sophie Butler - DCU Anti-Bullying Centre

Funders: ERASMUS+ European Union Funding

Project Website: 

https://bridge-edu.eu/

https://www.facebook.com/people/Bridge-Building-Relationships-for-Inclusive-Digital-Growth-and-Engagement/61577184323956/

https://antibullyingcentre.ie/project/bridge/

Future Expectations: A Qualitative Exploration of the Perceptions and Expectations of Autistic Adults regarding the IMPACT programme. 

Click to access:

• Full Report

Mapping Pathological Demand Avoidance in Ireland

This national study explored the experiences of individuals and their families living with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in Ireland.  

Click to access: 

Research Report

Evidence-Informed Community Guidelines

Conference Speakers and Recordings

Publications: 

Doyle, A., & Kenny, N. (2022). Mapping Experiences of Pathological Demand Avoidance in Ireland. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs.  

Kenny, N., & Doyle, A. (2024). A phenomenological exploration of the lived experience of adults experiencing pathological demand avoidance. Neurodiversity, 2. https://doi.org/10.1177/27546330241277075

Collaborators: Neil Kenny and Alison Doyle. 

Funders: The Irish Research Council

An Autism Co-Produced Exploration of the Experiences of Autistic Individuals enrolled in an Irish Higher Education Institution. 

The purpose of the research is to elicit the voice of Autistic individuals regarding their experiences of entering and being enrolled at university to identify clear, achievable and tangible recommendations that will support students at DCU.

Publications: 

Neilson, S., O'Kelly, J., Doyle, J. K., Kenny, N., O'Neill, C., Butler, S., & McDonald, J. (2025). A Co-Produced Qualitative Exploration of Autistic Experiences at an Irish Higher Education Institution. Autism in Adulthood. 110.1177/25739581251362835 

Kenny, N., Neilson, S., O'Kelly, J., Doyle, J.K. and McDonald, J. (2024), "Exploring the Paradigm of Co-Produced Research Within the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic", Rose, R. and Shevlin, M. (Ed.) Including Voices (International Perspectives on Inclusive Education, Vol. 23), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 149-161. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-363620240000023012 

Collaborators: Neil Kenny, Jane O'Kelly, Stuart Neilson, Joan Mc Donald, Fiona Early & Jessica K. Doyle. 

Funders: AsIAm & Dublin City University, Institute of Education.

Young Ambassadors Against Bullying: 

A collaborative Project to empowerment of young people with and without disabilities to advocate against bullying and cyberbullying in their schools. 

You can find out more about this project HERE

Collaborators: Neil Kenny, Siobhan O'Reilly & Eamonn Jones of the Anti-Bullying Centre at DCU.  

Funders: ERASMUS+ European Union Funding

Publications: 

Kenny, N., O'Reilly, S., & Jones, E. (2023). Scoping Review Report on Peer-Led Bullying prevention programmes differentiated for Children and Young People with SEN/D. Anti-Bullying Centre: DCU  

Project Results

Autistic Academia Project

An Autism Co-Research Project exploring the experiences of Autistic staff in Irish Higher Education Institutions.   You can find out more about this open project HERE

Collaborators: Neil Kenny, Jane O'Kelly, Stuart Neilson, Alison Doyle, Joan Mc Donald, Fiona Earley & Jessica K. Doyle. 

Funders: AsIAm & Dublin City University, Institute of Education.

Publications: 

Kenny, N., Doyle, J. K., Doyle, A., O'Kelly, J., O'Neill, C., Earley, F., & Neilson, S. (Under review) ‘Tell me what my job is’’: A Qualitative Exploration of the Experiences of Autistic Academic Staff working in Higher Education in Ireland.

Voices of inclusion: The experiences of autistic young people enrolled in mainstream second level education in Ireland.

Collaborators:  Finbar Horgan, Neil Kenny and Paula Flynn 

Funders: Dublin City University Educational Trust

Publications: 

Horgan, F., Kenny, N., & Flynn, P. (2023). A systematic review of the experiences of autistic young people enrolled in mainstream second-level (post-primary) schools. Autism.  

Evaluating AsIAm's AAC Support Programmes

This project is commissioned by AsIAm and is evaluating three Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) support programmes: 

• the Device Funded Scheme, 

• the Trial and Keep Scheme, and 

• the Family Support Programme. 

The study will explore whether and how these programmes improve access to AAC devices, support children’s communication outcomes, empower families, and build community connections. Findings will highlight what is working well, identify areas for improvement, and inform future service planning and policy in Ireland

Collaborators: Neil Kenny, Sylwia Kazmierczak Murray & Christina Hannify.

Funders: AsIAm