What we do

Education and
Research Forum

The IAPC Education and Research Forum is a major strand of the IAPC’s work agenda.

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The purpose of the Forum is to address palliative care education and research as arises under the IAPC’s Mission to promote palliative care through education, representation and networking and thereby build capacity in palliative care at the individual and at the sector level on the Island of Ireland.

The role of the IAPC Education and Research Forum is to promote and accelerate the undertaking of research among palliative care practitioners and researchers on the island of Ireland, to promote evidence-based research, and to build and increase research capacity in the sector.

Hike Group

The IAPC is proud to present the 25th Annual Education and Research Seminar, 6th February 2026

“One Goal, One Team: Advancing Palliative Care Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration”

We’re pleased to share the theme for our 2026 Education and Research Seminar: “One Goal, One Team: Advancing Palliative Care Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration.”

Led by plenary speaker Professor Sheila Payne, the seminar will explore the vital role of collaboration across professions in delivering high-quality palliative care.

Full details, including key dates and deadlines, will be available soon—visit the main seminar page to stay up to date and start planning your involvement.

/Annual Education and Research Seminar

Specifically, it will:

  • Provide a forum to share best practice, information and knowledge and promote a network / community of interest in palliative care research
  • Plan and convene an annual seminar to showcase palliative care research
  • Call for and review research submissions for the annual seminar
  • Identify and create opportunities for Irish practitioners and researchers to learn from national and international “best practice” in palliative care
  • Publish seminar proceedings
  • Create a pathway of learning and development to researchers wishing to publish in high-impact, peer-reviewed publications
  • Educate researchers in research methods and presentation
  • Disseminate research and related material through publications, seminars, workshops, and other media
  • Strengthen and increase linkages with international palliative care associations such as the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC), and individual European palliative care associations; Northern Ireland Cancer Network (NICaN); the International Association for Hospice & Palliative Care (IAHPC)
  • Strengthen and increase linkages with national and international institutions engaged in health research and education such as the Health Research Board(HRB); Institute of Public Health (IPH); European Palliative Care Research Centre (PRC); All-Ireland Institute for Palliative Care (AIIHPC)
  • Continuously monitoring global palliative care advancements, evolving educational approaches, and innovative channels for disseminating emerging research and knowledge in the field
  • Undertake other initiatives that may be prescribed by or agreed with the IAPC Board of Directors
  • Make recommendations and provide such advice to the IAPC Board of Directors as required so that the Association can achieve its strategic objective to improve the knowledge and expertise of individuals working within palliative care and thereby strengthen the capacity of the sector.

Forum members

Who are the Education and Research Forum

Dr. Thomas Cahill

Chair of Education and Research Forum

SpR, Milford Care Services

Dr. Cian O’ Leary

Vice-Chair of Education and Research Forum

Palliative Medicine Specialist Registrar

University Hospital Waterford

Nessa Keane

Secretary of Education and Research Forum

SpR

St. Francis Hospice, Raheny

Frances O’ Mahony

Consultant Palliative Medicine

Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise

Dr. David Byrne

Specialist Registrar

St. Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown

Claire Collins

Senior Speech and Language Therapist

OLH & CS

Jacqueline Reed

Head of Education, Research & Quality

Milford Care Centre

Barbara Sweeney

Head of Education

St Francis Hospice, Dublin

Monika Pilch

Lecturer, Assistant Professor

School of Psychology, UCD

Dr. Felicity Hasson

Senior Lecturer

School of Nursing and Paramedic Science, Ulster University

Dr. Sarah Ruthledge

Specialist Registrar

St. James Hospital

Jennifer Hayes

University Hospital Kerry

Dr. Elaine Cunningham

SpR

Milford Care Services, Limerick

Eva Jones

Palliative Care Registrar

St. James Hospital

Dr. David Murphy

Palliative Medicine SpR

Beaumont Hospital

Siobhan McCullough

Senior Speech and Language Therapist

LauraLynn, Dublin

Dr. Wen Yan Low

Registrar

Northwest Hospice, Sligo

USEFUL FORUM Documents

Download Education and Research
Governance Handbook

Interest form

Forum Membership
Interest Form Submission

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