Personal profile
Research Interests
Research statement
Dr. Karen McConnell is a Lecturer in Children's Nursing and a paediatric physiotherapist. She was awarded a PhD by the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast in 2012. Her doctoral research evaluated management of the upper limb in children with cerebral palsy. Karen’s research interests include trends in the prevalence and characteristics of cerebral palsy over time, the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions for the cerebral palsy population, physical activity for patients with neurological conditions, and patient and public involvement in research.
Leadership Roles
Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (APCP), Northern Ireland Secretary & Regional Representative (2017-)
Mae Murray Foundation, Non-executive Director (2022-)
Teaching Roles
Undergraduate teaching: Evidence Based Nursing for Quality Improvement
Postgraduate teaching: Musculoskeletal Care: Orthopaedic Nursing
Completed Research
McConnell and Kerr. (2019) Acceptability and feasibility of Vestibular Nerve Stimulation in children with cerebral palsy. Industry-academic collaboration, funded by Medical Research Council Proximity to Discovery Fund.
McConnell, Johnston and Kerr. (2009-2012) Management of the upper limb in children with cerebral palsy (2009-2012). PhD studentship awarded to McConnell, funded by Department of Education and Learning, Northern Ireland
Keywords
- RJ101 Child Health. Child health services
- Cerebral palsy
- Neurodisability
- Systematic reviews
- Public involvement
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 1 Finished
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R1998NUR: Acceptability and feasibility of Vestibular Nerve Stimulation (VeNS) in children with cerebral palsy: an industry-academic collaboration
Kerr, C. (PI) & McConnell, K. (CoI)
03/01/2019 → 30/11/2019
Project: Research
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Frequency and nature of sleep disturbances amongst children with cerebral palsy in Northern Ireland: a cross-sectional study
McCavert, M.-E., Perra, O., McConnell, K. & Kerr, C., Mar 2026, In: Research in Developmental Disabilities. 170, 9 p., 105255.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile6 Downloads (Pure) -
A co-designed mixed methods study on community-based gym exercise for non-ambulant adults with childhood onset disability
McConnell, K., McFeeters, C., Marley, J., Crawford, A. & Pedlow, K., 2025, In: Disability and Rehabilitation. 47, 2, 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)74 Downloads (Pure) -
A comprehensive policy review of evidence-based practices in autism policy across the United Kingdom's four nations
Storey, C., McConnell, K. & Keenan, C., Jul 2024, In: Children and Society. 38, 4, p. 995-1006 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)77 Downloads (Pure) -
A rapid review of menopausal education programmes
McFeeters, C., Pedlow, K., McGinn, D. & McConnell, K., 01 Dec 2024, In: Archives of Women's Mental Health. 27, 6, p. 975-983 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile6 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)66 Downloads (Pure) -
Community-based gym exercise for non-ambulant adults with childhood onset disability
McConnell, K., McFeeters, C., Marley, J., Crawford, A. & Pedlow, K., 23 Jan 2024, In: APCP Journal. 14, 1Research output: Contribution to journal › Meeting abstract › peer-review
Open Access
Prizes
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APCP Research Bursary
McConnell, K. (Recipient), 31 Mar 2020
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Best Poster Prize: Community-based gym exercise for non-ambulant adults with childhood onset disability
McConnell, K. (Recipient), McFeeters, C. (Recipient), Marley, J. (Recipient), Crawford, A. (Recipient) & Pedlow, K. (Recipient), 21 Oct 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Engaged Researcher Seed Fund
McConnell, K. (Recipient), 21 Jul 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
McConnell, K. (Recipient), 29 Jun 2022
Prize: Fellowship awarded competitively
Activities
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PPI for PhD students developed and delivered in partnership with HSCNI PPI team
Kerr, C. (Organiser), McConnell, K. (Participant), McMichael, A. (Organiser) & Diffin, J. (Speaker)
13 Jan 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
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Prue Morgan
Kerr, C. (Host) & McConnell, K. (Host)
10 Mar 2024 → 13 Mar 2024Activity: Hosting a visitor types › Hosting an academic visitor
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Trinity College Dublin and Queen's University Belfast Research Blitz
Linden, M. (Organiser), Mitchell, G. (Speaker), Carter, G. (Speaker), Aventin, Á. (Speaker), McConnell, K. (Speaker), Stark, P. (Speaker), O'Donnell, S. (Organiser), Lynch, L. (Speaker), Aremu, O. (Speaker), McCulloch, L. (Speaker), Keogh, B. (Speaker) & Hughes, M. (Speaker)
03 Nov 2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
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Let’s get active: promoting physical activity and exercise for people with cerebral palsy
McConnell, K. (Presenter), Malone, A. (Presenter), Brady, K. (Presenter), Czencz, J. (Presenter), Crawford, A. (Presenter) & McDowell, T. (Presenter)
03 Oct 2023Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
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International Cerebral Palsy Research Symposium
McConnell, K. (Organiser) & Kerr, C. (Organiser)
19 May 2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course