Dr. Celia Keenaghan

Dr. Celia Keenaghan is a sociologist with over 20 years experience of research in the area of community engagement, particularly in relation to children and families.

In her 15 year career with the Irish health services she specialised in public health, children and young people’s wellbeing, public participation and research ethics. She is a founder member of the Public Health Alliance for the Island of Ireland and the Children’s Research Network for Ireland and Northern Ireland. She is also a founding board member of the pioneering SpunOut.ie national youth social change organisation. In 2011 she set up Keenaghan Research & Communications Ltd, a social enterprise which aims to work with established and new networks to build knowledge and create opportunifor effective communication of ideas particularly in the field of civic engagement.

Dr. Keenaghan has been a visiting research and policy fellow with the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre at the National University of Ireland, Galway since 2009. She is external advisor to the all island Children and Youth Programme sub-contracted to contribute to its management and implementation. The Child and Youth Programme, operating through the UNESCO Chairs at NUI Galway and the University of Ulster, is an academic, independent, monitoring programme on the wellbeing of children and youth in Ireland and Northern Ireland, using a rights based approach.