Professor Sinead Rhodes

Professor of Developmental Neuropsychology and Engagement Lead, INCR

Biography

Qualifications

2008: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Dundee, Neuropsychopharmacology of ADHD

1996: Master of Letters, University College Dublin

1993: Bachelor of Arts, University College Dublin

Research summary

Sinéad is a developmental psychologist who conducts research with children and young people with neurodevelopmental conditions, whether diagnosed or not. She is particularly  interested in understanding and supporting cognition, social relationships, learning. and mental health in these conditions.  Her research includes children and young people with ADHD, DCD/Dyspraxia, who are autistic,  Williams syndrome and FASD.

Sinéad extensively involves children and young people, their parents, teachers and clinicians in the areas of research she prioritises, research practices, and how she engages the public with research findings. She has translated her research findings into accessible services and resources co-produced with those with lived experience. She has scaled the reach and nature of engagement with her work via the spin-out social enterprise company EPIC Think Learn.       

Research aims & areas of interest

  • Executive functions in ADHD and Williams syndrome
  • Cognitive predictors of mathematics and literacy in ADHD
  • Effects of stimulant medication on cognition and behaviour in ADHD
  • Tailored interventions to improve wellbeing, learning and mental health in diagnosed and not yet diagnosed neurodivergent children 
  • Autobiographical memory, executive control and depression
  • The lived experience of depression in autistic young people
  • Transition to teenager in neurodivergent young people
  • Masking and mental health in neurodivergent young people  
  • Social cognition in neurodevelopmental conditions 

Knowledge exchange

Sinéad is extensively involved in public engagement activities: she is the founder of the Research the Headlines project and was awarded the 2017 Royal Society of Edinburgh Innovators Public Engagement Prize and the 2022 Tam Dalyell Prize for Excellence in Science Communication.

Sinead is an Emeritus member of the Young Academy of Scotland.

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