Suzanne Smith MSc

After earning a Bachelor of Social Science from UCD, Suzanne worked in mental health, substance abuse and health education in the U.S. for fifteen years before returning to Ireland. She has an extensive background in intercultural and anti-racism training and research, as well as entrepreneurial experience and over a two decades of community-based activism in the areas of equality, diversity, multi-ethnic families, and primary education. In addition to teaching Healthcare in the adult education sector, Suzanne has lectured at DkIT and supervises postgraduate research students. Returning to education as a mature student, she earned a Higher Diploma in Business for Small Enterprise Support, and a MSc by research from DKIT. Her MSc research was on the barriers to out-of-hours GP services facing older persons. She is currently completing a PhD on the topic of digital health bother and exclusion in older age, with VUB in Belgium.

In addition to earlier research on anti-racism and migration in Ireland, Suzanne has worked as part of a research team exploring social innovation initiatives in active and healthy ageing across Europe. Her research has included working across the ProACT, SEURO, ECME, and Co-Design for Dementia projects as well as exploring the vocational challenges of home healthcare assistants and financial literacy needs in older age. Suzanne leads the Living Lab at NetwellCASALA and represents DkIT on community alliance committees including the national PPI Ignite Network promoting public and patient involvement in research. Her living lab projects include exploring stakeholder experiences of online delivery of daycare activities for community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and the application of creative arts to fostering intergenerational and intercultural understanding between older and younger men. Suzanne has experience in workshop facilitation including use of Sprint and Lego Serious Play methods to foster collaboration and participation.