My research focuses on wellbeing, identity, and adaptation in high-pressure environments, particularly during periods of transition in sport, education, and work.
Key areas include:
- Mental health literacy and help-seeking
- Dual career development in sport
- Identity, wellbeing, and performance under pressure
- Digital intervention design
I have served as Lead Researcher on EU Erasmus+ projects, secured competitive funding from the Irish Research Council, and published peer-reviewed research with a strong emphasis on translating evidence into practice.
A central strand of my work is implementation science and understanding how to design interventions that are not only evidence-based, but feasible, acceptable, and effective for different populations. I am especially interested in individuals and groups operating under chronic pressure, including athletes, coaches, emergency responders, and high-performing professionals.
My work is informed by social identity research, exploring how belonging, role change, and identity disruption influence wellbeing during periods of transition. Within this, I have a specific research interest in help-seeking for wellbeing and examining how people recognise when support is needed, what enables or inhibits help-seeking, and how environments can be designed to reduce stigma and friction around accessing support.
I also have a growing research interest in neurodiversity in performance, education, and workplace contexts, particularly how systems, structures, and expectations can be adapted to better support neurodivergent individuals to learn, perform, and sustain wellbeing over time.
Another key focus of my research is the use of technology and digital tools to support assessment, psychoeducation, and knowledge translation at scale. This includes online and video-based approaches to mental health literacy, career transition preparation, and wellbeing support.
This research underpins my speaking, consultancy, and coaching, ensuring all work is evidence-based, psychologically informed, and designed for real-world conditions — not ideal ones.
Applied Research & European Projects
My research has informed a range of applied initiatives at national and European level. I have served as Lead Researcher on the EU Erasmus+ TYF Europe project and as an Invited Expert on EU Erasmus+ Dual Career initiatives in football, contributing to research design, evaluation, and knowledge translation across multiple European partners.
These projects focus on mental health, wellbeing, help-seeking, and dual-career development in sport, with an emphasis on preventive, education-led approaches that support athletes and support staff to manage performance demands alongside education, work, and life transitions.
Research Funding & Governance
I have secured competitive research funding, including two awards from the Irish Research Council totalling €192,000, supporting research on wellbeing, career transition, identity, and adaptation in high-performance environments.
I have also served as a member of the Dublin City University Research Ethics Committee (2014–2017), contributing to the ethical governance of research involving human participants.
Teaching & Knowledge Translation
Alongside my research, I have extensive experience in teaching, curriculum design, and educational resource development across both in-person and online settings.
I have lectured in Dublin City University, served as Module Leader in Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education, and, in my role as Director of Coaching for American Football Ireland, developed and delivered national coach education programmes aligned with best practice and national frameworks.
My approach to education mirrors my research philosophy: practical, evidence-based, and grounded in the realities of high-pressure environments.
Publications & Public Dissemination
I have authored and co-authored peer-reviewed research in scientific journals and am committed to public dissemination, translating research into accessible formats through media, talks, and podcasts.
Refereed Publications
- Burrows, E., & McArdle, S. (2019). Psychoeducation through digital video for Olympic and Paralympic athletic career transition. Health Education Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/0017896919893727
- Losty, C., Warrington, G., McGoldrick, A., Murphy, C., Burrows, E., & Cullen, S. (2018). Mental health and wellbeing of jockeys. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 14(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.14198/jhse.2019.141.12
- Nugent, F. J., Comyns, T. M., Burrows, E., & Warrington, G. D. (2017). Effects of Low-Volume, High-Intensity Training on Performance in Competitive Swimmers. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 31(3), 837–847. http://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001583
- McArdle, S., Meade, M. M., & Burrows, E. (2018). Service Providers’ Attitudes toward Athletes with Eating Disorders. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 0(0), 1. http://doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0000000000000406
Public Dissemination
- Combat loneliness: How getting involved in sports can help those who feel alone. Rory Cashin. (2024) https://storyplus.independent.ie/laya-mm/index.html
- Life in Sport with Evanne Ni Chuilinn. https://youtu.be/0E6CuNzd9eg?feature=shared
- Burrows, E. (2019, February 22). Dealing with the comedown from the Olympic Games. Retrieved from https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2019/0222/1032121-dealing-with-the-comedown-from-the-olympic-games/
- Irish Research Council (2016, August 04). Research & Sport: A Great Match #LoveIrishResearch. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8b_2FgPUgY
- LoI Weekly Podcast: Listen to LOI WEEKLY S03 EP23 with Aidan Fitzmaurice, Stephen McGuinness, Emma Connaughton & Robbie Benson by LOIWeekly https://soundcloud.com/user-914121770/loi-weekly-s03-ep23-with-aidan-fitzmaurice-stephen-mcguinness-emma-connaughton-robbie-benson
Dr Emma Burrows 