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University of Galway School of Law is delighted to congratulate Dr Anna Doyle on the successful defence of her PhD last month.  Her doctoral thesis, Restrictive Practices, Fact or Myth, Who Was Really Protected? An Exploration into the Reasons Restrictive Practices are used and the Types of Restrictive Practices Reported from Registered Designated Centres in Ireland, makes a major contribution to disability rights scholarship in Ireland and internationally.

Anna’s research provides a rigorous and critical examination of the use of restrictive practices in disability services.  Drawing on an extensive quantitative data set mandated through NF39A notifications submitted by disability residential service providers to the Health Information and Quality Authority (the regulator), the study offers an important empirical insight into how and why restrictive practices are used.

While previous research has focused on the most overt forms of restrictive practices, including physical and chemical restraint, this research highlights the significance of environmental restraints.  Her analysis reveals that restrictions such as locked doors, limited access to personal belongings, food and drink, and controls on the use of social media are widespread yet under explored.  These forms of restraint have profound implications for the human rights of people living in residential services, shaping everyday life in their homes ways that often go unchallenged.

The research findings are considered within a human rights framework grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  Anna’s research not only interrogates current practice but also points to pathways for legislative and policy reform in Ireland and in other jurisdictions where restrictive practices are used.  It is an important piece of scholarship that expands our understanding of restrictive practices and their impact on the lives of disabled people.

The PhD was supervised by Dr Charles O’Mahony, Associate Professor, University of Galway School of Law.  The external examiner was Professor Luke Clements from the School of Law at the University of Leeds.  The internal examiner was Dr Shivaun Quinlivan, Associate Professor, University of Galway School of Law.  The viva voce examination was chaired by Professor Ciara Smyth, University of Galway School of Law.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Dr Anna Doyle on this fantastic achievement.  Anna has worked for many years in disability services and currently works as an inspector with the Health Information and Quality Authority who funded and supported her research.  Her internal research supervisor in HIQA was Dr Niall McGrane.  Her research will undoubtedly influence practice, policy, and scholarship in this area and has the potential to be a driver for law reform domestically and internationally.