Increasing Vaccination Uptake for Refugee Children in Ireland
Introduction
Research Area:
Vaccination / Refugee Health / Public Health / Primary Care
What is the research about?
This PhD project explores how health systems and organisations in Ireland can improve vaccination uptake and access for refugee children. We are focusing on real experiences, challenges, and solutions that affect families living in accommodation centres or who have recently settled in Ireland. By working together, we hope to identify barriers and make recommendations that ensure vaccination programmes are effective, inclusive, and fair for all refugee children and their communities.
Who is this opportunity for?
We are looking for a parent, carer, or family member with lived experience of accessing vaccination services for children as a refugee in Ireland. You may have lived in direct provision or an accommodation center and arranged vaccinations for your child/children, even if they are now older. All nationalities and backgrounds are welcome.
What is involved?
You will become a member of the PhD project’s advisory board as a refugee community representative. Your insights and feedback will help guide the research direction, review findings, and ensure the project addresses the real priorities of refugee families.
Opportunity for:
Involvement Opportunity Details
Time
Time commitment:
Attend two or three meetings per year (online or in-person; each 1–2 hours)
Contact between meetings:
Receive brief updates and requests for feedback 4–6 times per year via email or WhatsApp. You may also be invited to review research summaries or communications, but participation is always voluntary.
Length of involvement:
3-4 years
Start date for involvement:
01/02/2025
Logistics
Where?
If online, explain how:
EmailTeams
If in person, explain where:
if convenient to you (Maynooth, or Dublin, or elsewhere)
Other ways of communicating:
WhatsApp - Phone (if helpful) - In person (for local contributors)
Funding available for:
If no funding available, explain why:
Not applicable
Other Information
Stage of the research study/ programme:
Early planning
Is this opportunity for PPI in a PhD:
Yes
Closing date to contact researchers:
20/01/2026
Research Team
Contact person:
Rehab Mahmoud Mohamed Meckawy
University/organisation:
Maynooth University
Contact email:
REHAB.MECKAWY.2026@mumail.ie
Researcher background:
Public health researcher with a background in vaccination, community medicine, and health service evaluation.
Research funder:
Hume Scholarship/ Maynooth University
Photo:
Interested in this PPI Opportunity?
Please complete this form and click SUBMIT