Dr Sharon Kinsella, Head of Department of Health and Sports Science at SETU, has received the Engaged Research Impact Policy and Practice award for her novel research on autism. Her work focuses on the development of interventions to enhance the well-being of autistic individuals, particularly through physical activity. Her research has resulted in major benefits and improved well-being for autistic individuals and their families.
Dr Kinsella founded (2019) and leads the Autism Research Group at SETU, through which she has developed strong interdisciplinary collaborations within SETU, and beyond with universities across Ireland, the UK, Belgium, Australia, China, and the USA, as well as transdisciplinary collaborations with industry partners. Dr Kinsella and her team conducted the first study on the fitness levels of autistic children in Ireland. The study highlights deficits in physical fitness among autistic children with the findings cited in the 2022 Ireland North and South Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Adolescent. The work and leadership of this group has positioned SETU as a key player in autism research
Dr Kinsella’s research has shown that structured physical activity significantly benefits autistic children, improves fitness, reduces anxiety, and offers an alternative to medication. Dr Kinsella led the development of an evidence-based physical activity programme that has benefited over 200 autistic youth. This research programme demonstrated improvements in communication skills, reductions in anxiety and stereotypical behaviours, and significant functional gains.
Notably, 37% of children with severe autism who participated in the programme showed such progress that their level of autism reduced to a moderate level after just eight weeks of structured exercise. Teachers, reported feeling more confident engaging children in physical activity, recognising the tangible benefits, reporting after the programme that children were calmer, had fewer ‘meltdowns’, and showed improved attention, behaviour, and motor skills. One teacher described the programme as "hugely beneficial to the children’s overall physical and mental health."
The importance of Dr Kinsella’s research has also been recognised through her recent invitation to join an International Alliance for Physical Activity and Autism, where she has made major contributions. Dr Kinsella also played a key role in organising Ireland’s first Neurodiversity Research Conference at SETU in January 2024, which ran again in February 2025.