Dr Leona Ryan
Medical/Health Psychologist | SFI Scholar | mHealth | Obesity | Digital Mental Health | AI @UniofGalway.bsky.social
Project Lead: @rcsi.bsky.social @smart-ie.bsky.social
Info: vista-apro.eu/smart-ie/
ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-2385-3439
- Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan👋 Hello Bluesky! We’re YouthDMH, a European research network exploring how digital tools can support young people’s mental health 🌍🧠 We’ll be sharing research highlights, collaborations, opportunities, and conversations around digital mental health for youth. youthdmh.eu @costprogramme.bsky.social
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanThank you to all who have supported, collaborated on and contributed to the SMArT-IE project this year, we look forward to our continued collaboration in 2026. Wishing you and yours a joyful and peaceful holiday season 🎄❄️⛄ #digitalmentalhealth #implementationscience @uniofgalway.bsky.social
- Thank you to all who have supported, collaborated on and contributed to the SMArT-IE project this year, we look forward to our continued collaboration in 2026. Wishing you and yours a joyful and peaceful holiday season 🎄❄️⛄ #digitalhealth #implementationscience #mentalhealth
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanAmazing how different Sean Bean looks in real life to the movies (A joke that I accept will baffle many)
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanNew book chapter on #digitalhealth interventions in public health: link.springer.com/book/10.1007... Includes a discussion on why they are not used as frequently as we might have hoped, and what intervention developers and policy makers can do to improve the utility of digital interventions.
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanA joy to run the @ehpscreaters.bsky.social Pre-Conference Workshop on Preregistration and Registered Reports with @rorycoyne.bsky.social We explored ✍how preregistration can be applied within quantitative, qualitative and evidence synthesis research 📕 RRs for early career researchers #EHPS2025
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanWell done to Dr Leona Ryan @drleonaryan.bsky.social on presenting findings from our recent study evaluating an AI-driven virtual human intervention for GP obesity education and training #EHPS2025 @profjanewalsh.bsky.social @ehps.bsky.social
- Delighted to present our AI-driven VH obesity education and communication skills training tool for GPs - a proof-of-concept for the successful translation of behavioural science concepts into novel technology to address identified challenges in medical education @ehpsdigihealth.bsky.social #EHPS2025
- Well done to Dr Leona Ryan @drleonaryan.bsky.social on presenting findings from our recent study evaluating an AI-driven virtual human intervention for GP obesity education and training #EHPS2025 @profjanewalsh.bsky.social @ehps.bsky.social
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanThe #Gaza famine has unfolded in front of the world’s eyes. We saw it coming. We warned about it. We were not allowed to stop it. Now, as we count the lives lost to this intentional starvation, there is only one question to ask leaders: Where is humanity? End the blockade of aid TODAY. CEASEFIRE!
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanDelighted this paper is published! It reports the effects of our task shifted multi-component mental health intervention (incorporating peer support, psycho-education, mindfulness and behavioural activation) on psychological distress among persons with disabilities @rcsipophealth.bsky.social
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanAttending #EHPS2025 and interested in digi health? @ehpsdigihealth.bsky.social has a list to help you navigate to relevant presentations - bit.ly/EHPS2025Digi.... See you in Groningen next week! @thomasgultzow.bsky.social @mindwaveprof.bsky.social @hollieasmith.bsky.social @alearuf.bsky.social
- Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan🔔 Two days left to apply! This is your chance to meet this year's keynote speakers over coffee.
- Heading to the EHPS conference this summer? Sign up for Meet the Experts, your chance for an informal, relaxed chat over coffee with this year’s keynote speakers and fellow ECRs. It’s a friendly space to connect, exchange ideas, and get inspired. ☕ 🔗 More info & sign-up: forms.gle/uEmSpvexdpru...
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanAttending the 39th Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology Society in the Netherlands?✈️ All additional travel information, local tips, and useful contacts are available at: 🔗 2025.ehps.net/travelling-w... We look forward to seeing you soon! #EHPS2025 #EHPS25 #UMCG #Groningen
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanA new publication by Dr Tina Bedenik & Prof Kathleen Bennett in collab w/ @hiqa.bsky.social colleagues explores perspectives of key stakeholders on role of patients in use of health data for primary & secondary purposes in Irl. doi.org/10.1186/s409... @researchireland.ie @futureneuro.bsky.social
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanWe're recruiting for a lecturer in health psychology to join our team. The postholder will participate in the teaching, facilitation & examining of the undergrad & grad teaching programmes of @rcsipsychology.bsky.social. my.corehr.com/pls/coreport... @sphereprogramme.bsky.social
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanMake your EHPS 2025 experience seamless! Access the latest schedule, receive live updates, and connect with other participants—all through the official app. Download today: 🍏 Apple Store: apps.apple.com/rs/app/easyp... 🤖 Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/d... #EHPS2025 #EasyPlatform
- Really excited about this crossover event! @ehps.bsky.social @ehpsdigihealth.bsky.social
- 🚀 Excited for EHPS 2025? Join the Joint Digital Health/Habit SIG event in Groningen! 💡Embracing AI for habit-based interventions 🗓️ Thurs, 28 Aug | 🕐 1–2pm local (UTC+2) 🗣️ Speakers: Amanda Rebar & Benjamin Gardner #EHPS2025 #HealthPsychology #HabitResearch #DigitalHealth #AIinHealth
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanWe are the SMART-IE Collective, a group of researchers, clinicians, academics, policy makers, government body officials and experts by lived experience - Our aim is to learn how to successfully introduce and evaluate digital mental health tools to support university students mental well-being.
- Check out & follow the @smart-ie.bsky.social Research Group! Our project is dedicated to supporting the sustainable implementation of digital mental health solutions in university settings. You can find more information and project updates on our website. Visit us here: vista-apro.eu/smart-ie/
- 🚨New Paper🚨 Empowering GPs:AI Virtual Humans for Better Weight Management Conversations! Our pilot study found an AI-driven Virtual Human tool informed by behavioral science & planning group input improved GPs' knowledge, empathy,confidence,and reduced obesity stigma. doi.org/10.1002/osp4...
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanOver 100,000 children in Gaza at risk of death due to Israeli blockade - middleeasteye.net/news/over-100000-ch…
- My teabags are feeding into my existential crisis this morning 🥹
- Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan📣 Exciting news! Applications are open for our @ehps2025.bsky.social pre-conference workshop on "Open Science Practices: Preregistrations and Registered Reports" with @emmajnorris.bsky.social and @rorycoyne.bsky.social! Get more info and apply here until May 11th: forms.gle/1DCbYR84c9qE...
- Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan🚨 Deadline extended 🚨 Planning to attend @ehps2025.bsky.social ? You are a PhD student or postdoc? Check out our @ehpscreaters.bsky.social pre-conference workshop! Apply by May 26th! More info 👇 @ehps.bsky.social @ehpsopenscisig.bsky.social
- 📣 Exciting news! Applications are open for our @ehps2025.bsky.social pre-conference workshop on "Open Science Practices: Preregistrations and Registered Reports" with @emmajnorris.bsky.social and @rorycoyne.bsky.social! Get more info and apply here until May 11th: forms.gle/1DCbYR84c9qE...
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanWe are excited to host Dr. Alfonso Abizaid from @carleton.ca next Wednesday for the 6th talk of the 2025 #ObesitySeminarSeries of IUCPQ!
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanI wrote a blog for the @sphereprogramme.bsky.social website! ✨
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanWe've @drleonaryan.bsky.social released a preprint of our study: VITAL-COMS, a novel digital simulation tool designed to improve healthcare professionals' communication skills when discussing weight with patients #weightstigma #obesity #HealthCommunication #GenAI 1/4
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanApplications are now open for the #EHPS2025 conference grants. Grants are available for attending only the conference and for also attending the @ehpscreaters.bsky.social workshop and @ehpssynergy.bsky.social expert meeting. Applications close on 16 May. More information: ehps.net/conference-g...
- 🚨Exciting pilot study results! Our AI-virtual human tool for GP obesity education/training showed significant improvements in knowledge, confidence, trust, and empathy! We also saw reduction in negative stereotyping! Here's how we did it:🧵👇osf.io/preprints/osf/… @OSFramework
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanOur recent conference paper. Other publications to follow: A. Moorhead, F. Quigley, R. Price, L. Hollywood, A. M. Gallagher, E. Mooney, A. McCloat. Journal: Proceedings of the Nutrition Society / Volume 83 / Issue OCE4 / November 2024
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanSomething to think about
- @fionaquigs.bsky.social yeahhhhh

- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanAt the Irish Coalition for People living with Obesity's (ICPO) book launch - a child friendly non-stigmatizing introduction to what is Obesity - great initiative
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanApply by Sunday to take part in our expert workshop on the #digitalhealth divide prior to #ICBM2025 in Vienna (5th and 6th August) ⬇️ #HealthPsych #BehSci
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanUsability testing is essential in intervention development but can often feel time-consuming – but it doesn't have to be. Our new preprint offers a hands-on guide to rapid analysis during usability testing and shares our reflections on the process. 🧑🏼💻 Check it out: doi.org/n4r4 ✨
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanMore than 64,000 Palestinians may have been killed by traumatic injury in the first nine months of the war in Gaza, according to a new study. It suggests that the Hamas health ministry tally, a figure the UN relies on, is a significant undercount. nyti.ms/4fZxCIv
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanThe #PHM2025 conference will be held at @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social This brings together those from health psychology and related fields from across Ireland and further afield. Keynotes are Prof Martin Dempster & Prof @susanmichie.bsky.social. Abstract submission open! bit.ly/4fNFUD7
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanHow experiences of weight stigma impact higher-weight women during their maternity care: A meta-ethnography @jennymidwife.bsky.social, Melania Calestani, Kirstie Coxon www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
- Reposted by Dr Leona RyanAll my work is open - and you can use images from it without seeking my permission as long as it is correctly cited. Every week I get requests in relation to COM-B or the Behaviour Change Wheel. No need to request- the answer is always yes! #OpenScience