Organising Committee
The Organising Committee involved in the Dublin conference comprises a diverse group of experts, including:
Prof Jolanta Burke
Prof. Jolanta Burke is a Chartered Psychologist and an award-winning researcher at the Centre for Positive Health Sciences at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences. She is a Programme Director for Masters in Applied Positive Psychology (Wellbeing and Health), and a Research Lab Founding Director of the Positive Activity Lab at RCSI. She specialises in amplifying the impact of positive psychology. Her team won over 6 million in funding from organisations such as EU Interreg, EU Erasmus+ KA220, Science Foundation Ireland, Irish Research Council, Health Research Board and others. Prof. Burke authored 15 books about Positive Psychology, Wellbeing and Positive Health. Her latest book is “The Foundation of Positive Psychology: A Compilation of Key Studies, Theory, and Practice”.
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​She has led the RCSI team in conceptualising the new field of Positive Health Sciences and publishing the core texts in this area of research and practice. She wrote for such popular publications as the Guardian, Irish Independent, and Metro (UK). Several millions of readers have viewed her articles on The Conversation and Psychology Today. Her research was featured worldwide in the media, including CNN, Fox News, BBC, Sky News, New Zealand Evening Standard, and many others. For her work on wellbeing, she was acknowledged by the Irish Times as one of 30 people who make Ireland a better place. For more information, please go to her WEBSITE.
Prof Christian van Nieuwerburgh
Professor Christian van Nieuwerburgh is Professor of Coaching and Positive Psychology at the RCSI. He is an academic, researcher, executive coach and consultant interested in the integration of coaching and positive psychology in educational and health settings. He has published widely in the sector, regularly speaks at global conferences and has given presentations and delivered training in Europe, the US, South America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Ms Suzanne Sullivan
Ms Suzanne Sullivan is the Centre's Operations and Quality Manager. She has worked in the RCSI for the last 19 years in a variety of roles and more recently as the Quality Assurance & Regulatory Manager at the RCSI Institute of Leadership. Suzanne holds a BA from UCD and completed her MBS in the IMI/UCC in 2020. Her expertise lies in accreditation and examination processes both internally and with external stakeholders including the NUI.
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Ms Miriam Holden
As the Marketing, Communications, and Student Recruitment Coordinator, Miriam is entrusted with the responsibility of driving student recruitment for RCSI’s Centre for Positive Health Sciences (CPHS) programmes, while simultaneously growing brand recognition through dynamic campaigns. She works closely with healthcare organisations and stakeholders to establish meaningful relationships. Miriam previously worked with the RCSI Graduate School of Healthcare management as their digital recruitment and event co-ordinator. She holds a BA in exercise and health and an MSc in Digital Marketing.
Ms Angel Harper
Angel Harper is a research assistant at the Centre for Positive Health Sciences. She holds a Master’s degree in Psychology, with a Neuroscience and Neuroimaging focus. Her interests are on neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism and Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, combining neuroscience and positive psychology to investigate these topics.
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Kate Brassington, PhD
Kate Brassington is a PhD Scholar at the Centre for Positive Health Sciences at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. She is a practicing Coaching Psychologist (GMBPsS) and PCC ICF-certified Trauma-Informed Coach, working worldwide with non-traditional leaders, solo entrepreneurs, and couples. She believes differences — whether from adversity, neurodivergence, or identity — are strengths, not deficits. She has published research on resilience in high-risk occupations, is exploring the first-time experience of coaching for people with past adversity, and her PhD is on forest-based interventions for adolescent mental health.