Declan is the Director of Evidence Synthesis Ireland and Director of Cochrane Ireland. He is Professor of Health Research Methodology and Deputy Dean of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Galway. He is also the Scientific Director of the HRB-Trials Methodology Research Network.
With a background in nursing and midwifery, Declan’s career has evolved to focus on advancing evidence synthesis and clinical trials methodology across multiple therapeutic areas. His work spans the design, conduct, and synthesis of clinical trials, with particular emphasis on developing methods that enhance research quality and relevance to patients and healthcare systems.
Declan has published over 300 papers (h-index 54 Scopus, 2024) including more than 30 Cochrane systematic reviews. His methodological expertise includes trial design, evidence synthesis methods, core outcome set development, stakeholder engagement, and research prioritisation. He has led numerous clinical trials ranging from 100 to over 3,000 participants and serves on multiple national and international Trial Steering Committees and Data Monitoring Boards across diverse clinical areas.
His recent work includes leading the Emergency Evidence Response Service during COVID-19, establishing The People’s Trial with over 3,000 public participants from 72 countries, and spearheading innovative approaches to patient engagement in clinical research. Declan has secured over €17 million in research funding as a Principal Investigator and over €100 million as co-applicant or collaborator.
Declan’s vision for Evidence Synthesis Ireland centres on building capacity in evidence synthesis methods, enhancing the quality and relevance of systematic reviews, and ensuring evidence synthesis directly informs healthcare policy and practice. His work emphasises the importance of methodological rigour, stakeholder engagement, and practical implementation of research findings to improve patient outcomes.
