South East Technological University postgraduate researcher Madeline Harney has been awarded “Best Thesis-in-Three Presentation” at the Psychology, Health and Medicine Conference held at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) on 24 April.
The event brought together national and international postgraduate students and researchers from across the health sciences to present research and innovative approaches to healthcare challenges, with the ‘Thesis in Three’ competition challenging participants to clearly explain their thesis in just three minutes. This required researchers to turn complex academic work into a clear and engaging format, testing how well they communicate their ideas and explain the most important aspects of their research within a short time.
Madeline’s presentation focused on the lived experience of individuals following brain tumour treatment, particularly the transition from hospital-based care to managing physical health independently at home. Her research highlights the physical and mental health challenges faced by people with a brain tumour after discharge from hospital, including fatigue, reduced mobility, neurological changes, and uncertainty around physical capacity.
Madeline explained that findings from her qualitative interviews showed recovery is not linear. Instead, participants described a fluctuating process that requires constant revision. She outlined how these insights informed the development of an emerging theory, Restoring Physical Autonomy, which describes how individuals learn to interpret bodily signals, manage energy, and adapt to changing and often unpredictable health patterns.
The project was conducted in collaboration with Brain Tumour Ireland, who supported Madeline to connect with more than 20 people living with and beyond a brain tumour.
Madeline noted that she was delighted to receive the award and highlighted the value of the ‘Thesis in Three’ competition in helping her to effectively communicate her research findings, saying, “It was a valuable experience that really helped me to communicate my research in a clear and concise way.”
Her supervisor, Dr Evan Matthews, added, “We are very proud of Madeline's achievement. This recognition is a reflection of Madeline's unwavering commitment to advocate for people with very challenging diagnoses through her research.”
This recognition highlights both the quality of postgraduate research at SETU and the importance of recognising the individualised support needs for people with brain tumours after treatment.