About us

The Research and Guideline Development Unit (RGDU) team is comprised of a wealth of expertise and experience in public health, research and methodology. 

Organogram

RGDU_Organogram

 

Dr Randal Parlour

PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons), RMN, RGN
Research & Guideline Development Unit Coordinator
Randal trained as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in Derry. Subsequently, he completed Registered General Nurse training at St. George’s Hospital in London. He graduated from City University London with a BSc (Hons) degree in Nursing/Sexual Health in 1995. In 2000 he obtained an MSc in Health & Social Services Management from Ulster University. He completed a PhD study in 2010, via Ulster University, that extended existing knowledge about realistic evaluation, practice development and the application of critical methods in facilitating the development of evidence-informed and person-centred workplace cultures. In 2018 Randal received both the Graduate Award in Executive Healthcare Leadership from the Irish Management Institute and the Health Service Leadership Academy Leading Care 1 Award. Randal is a former Director of Research at Letterkenny University Hospital. In previous roles he has developed considerable expertise in managing transformational change programmes. He has made a significant contribution in shaping how this kind of development and research is undertaken in the Irish health and social care system and has influenced strategically to ensure these ways of working are embedded in the system as a whole. As Principal Investigator, Randal has led a significant number of national and regional research programmes that have been undertaken across a diverse range of health & social care settings. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6893-609X

Dr Michelle Williams

PhD, MSc Immunology, BSc (Hons) Microbiology
Senior Researcher and Project Manager
Michelle trained as a microbiologist before entering a career in the Irish public sector. With a longstanding interest in infectious disease and health protection, Michelle achieved an honours Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from University College Cork in 2014, and a Masters in Immunology from Trinity College Dublin in 2015. From 2015-2018, Michelle completed a PhD at the Moyne Institute for Preventative Medicine in Trinity College Dublin, and was awarded her doctorate in 2019. After a year at the Research, Strategy and Funding Directorate, Health Research Board (HRB), Michelle joined the HRB Evidence Unit and completed a systematic review on international infectious disease legislation and the lessons learned from implementing the WHO International Health Regulations. From early 2020-mid 2022, Michelle worked as a Standards Development Officer at the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). In her role at HIQA, she worked on development and implementation of a prioritisation process, a principles-based framework for health and social care standards, and primary and secondary research to inform upcoming National Standards in Homecare and support services. She is experienced in quantitative and qualitative research methods, evidence synthesis, and implementation science and practice. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5849-3088

Dr Rachel Kiersey

PhD, BSocSc (Hons)
Knowledge Management Officer
Rachel is a librarian and social scientist. Rachel undertook doctoral research in Technological University Dublin, her PhD The Discursive Construction of Irish Early Childhood Education and Care Policy: a Critical Discourse Analysis (2011) explored the language and communication of Irish ECEC policy. This research was undertaken using critical discourse analysis methodology, including Foucauldian discourse theory, to help understand sense making and meaning in policy discourse.
Rachel has worked as an information specialist and researcher & policy consultant, in both the health and education sectors, focusing on qualitative methodologies, discourse analysis, publication writing, and systematic reviews for evidence-based research. An experienced librarian and information specialist, Rachel also has a strong foundation in systematic information search, retrieval, quality appraisal and evidence synthesis. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6541-6734

Ms. Claire Gilbourne

MScPH, MTech, BSc (Hons)
Health Protection Researcher
Claire’s academic qualifications include a BSc. Environmental Science (Hons) (1998), First-Class Honours Masters of Technology in Safety and Ergonomics (2012) and most recently a First-Class Honours Master’s of Science in Public Health (2021) with the Graduate Medical School at the University of Limerick. Claire has significant experience as a Regional Health and Safety Officer and Consultant, and was responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of a nationally accredited health and safety management system (OHSAS 18001/ISO45001). Claire has extensive experience in undertaking qualitative, quantitative health research and secondary data analysis on a wide range of topics. Throughout her academic and professional roles, Claire has gained significant experience in conducting literature searches and synthesising evidence and has utilised these skills in conducting evidence reviews for the RGDU.
In partnership with the Department of Biological Sciences (University of Limerick), Claire has recently submitted a systematic review for publication. Claire is also a named author on a “Scoping Review on the Efficacy of Face Masks in Preventing Transmission of COVID-19 among adults in Non-Healthcare settings” which has also been submitted for publication. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5495-1192 

 

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For further information please contact the Research and Guideline Development Unit at: rgdu@hpsc.ie

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