The Health Research Podcast

Episode 06: Rare Disease Research

This episode features Dr Avril Kennan Chief Executive of Health Research Charities Ireland, Dr Gráinne Gorman Chief Executive of the Health Research Board, and Gavin Lawler, HRB Programme Manager and co-ordinator of the Irish National Mirror Group on Rare Diseases.

Episode 04: Assessing Ireland’s ability to produce & act on evidence rapidly

Recorded at the HRB Conference 2025, this episode includes discussion on the HRB’s Rapid Evidence Support System Assessment (RESSA) for Ireland. The podcast features co-author of the RESSA, Dr Barbara Whelan, Acting Programme Manager at Evidence Synthesis Ireland and Cochrane Ireland, based at the University of Galway. Also appearing are: Prof John Lavis, Department of Health Evidence and Impact at McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; and Dr Fergal Lynch, former Secretary General of the Department of Children and Deputy Secretary General at the Department of Health.

Episode 03: Gaps in Research on Women's Health

This episode focuses on a new HRB report revealing global gaps in research on women’s health, including early pregnancy loss & postnatal mental health.

Episode 02: How to break into the policy life cycle to effect change

Dr Claire O’Connell speaks to Dr Thomas Hemmelgarn, Head the EU Policy Lab in Brussels, and Dr Anna Visser from the Department of the Taoiseach.

Episode 01: Influencing Health Policy and Behaviour

This episode explores how to influence health policy and behaviour with behavioural scientist Pete Lunn, Economic & Social Research Institute, and public health expert Prof Sara Burke, Trinity College Dublin. Hosted by Dr Claire O’Connell.