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Bridging the Gap: How Digital Twins Can Address Clinical Trial Delays in India
Get PDFClinical trials in India are often delayed due to regulatory bottlenecks, site-level inefficiencies, and patient recruitment challenges. Digital twin technology—virtual replicas of real-world processes—offers potential to streamline trials through simulation, optimisation, and predictive modelling. However, research on its application in India remains scarce. This study aimed to explore whether digital twins could help reduce trial delays and to assess the perceptions and readiness of clinical research professionals in India. Methods A mixed methods strategy was adopted, combining primary and secondary research. Surveys were conducted with 149 clinical research professionals to gather quantitative insights, while in-depth interviews with 8 experts provided qualitative perspectives. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were examined through thematic analysis to identify themes and sub-themes aligned with the research objectives. Results Findings showed that delays were primarily driven by slow regulatory approvals, ethics committee backlogs, site-level inefficiencies, and recruitment difficulties. Awareness of digital twins was limited, but professionals recognised their potential to improve protocol design, patient recruitment, and trial predictability. Key barriers included high costs, infrastructure limitations, regulatory uncertainty, and lack of expertise. Despite these obstacles, respondents expressed cautious optimism about adoption, citing ongoing digitalisation trends, workforce training, and evolving regulatory frameworks as enablers. Conclusion The study concludes that while India’s clinical trials continue to face systemic delays, digital twin technology represents a promising avenue for improvement. The research fills a regional gap in the literature, offering both conceptual insights and practical recommendations for future adoption. Broader stakeholder engagement and pilot projects will be crucial to validate its effectiveness in real-world setting
Evaluating the Role of ICH Q9-Based Quality Risk Management in Reducing CAPA Recurrence Rates: A Study of GMP-Regulated Pharmaceutical Companies in Ireland
Get PDFThis research examines the contribution that Quality Risk Management (QRM) under the ICH Q9 framework can make to resolving the long-standing problem of recurring Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs) in Irish pharmaceutical manufacturing. Even with good regulatory management that is seen with EU GMP, the repeated occurrence of problems within many sites remains to be a source of disappointment to product quality and efficiency within the operations. This research study conducted a systematic survey of 109 quality professionals to investigate the maturity of QRM practices in use, perceived utility of QRM tools, and the degree to which regulatory alignment can be used to impact the results of CAPAs. The results point out that greater QRM maturity is strongly linked to increased CAPA success and lower recurrence. The respondents in the locations that have high integration of QRM practices gave higher ratings to the effectiveness of CAPA processes and those with low levels documented recurring issues. The regression analysis also showed that the alignment of regulatory practices to the EU GMP and ICH Q9 regulations significantly affected the decline of CAPA recurrence, but the actual presence of formal QRM policies did not cause significant difference. The work has academic and practical contributions by highlighting the importance of a better integration of QRM into CAPA investigations, as opposed to policy-based adoption. Practitioner recommendations to the industry, as well as academic recommendations on the longitudinal effects, are given
The Impact of Micro-influencers Marketing on the Cosmetics Sector
Get PDFThis study investigates the role of micro-influencers (1,000–100,000 followers) in
shaping consumer trust and purchase behavior within Ireland’s €1.2 billion cosmetics
market, characterized by 95% internet penetration and high social media engagement
(Central Statistics Office, 2024). Through a mixed-methods approach, combining
quantitative surveys (40 female consumers) and qualitative interviews (six), the
research examines how authenticity, transparency, and storytelling strategies
influence Customer Journey Mapping (CJM) and The Elaboration Likehood Model
(ELM) frameworks in analyzing micro-influencer efficacy within Ireland’s unique
regulatory and cultural context touchpoints across pre-purchase, purchase, and postpurchase stages (Lemon & Verhoef, 2016).
Findings reveal that 47.5% of respondents perceive micro-influencers as authentic
(mean score: 3.45/5), while 95% emphasize transparency (e.g., #ad disclosures) as
critical to credibility (Kay et al., 2020). Instagram (60% preference) dominates
purchase intent through tutorials, whereas TikTok (35%) drives discovery via
algorithmic "For You Page" content (Haenlein et al., 2020). Thematic analysis
highlights relatability and para-social relationships as key drivers of loyalty (H4),
particularly among 18–24-year-olds.
The study contributes to academic literature by bridging gaps in localized CJM
applications for niche markets and offers practical strategies for Irish brands (e.g.,
Kash Beauty, Flormar Ireland) to optimize micro-influencer collaborations. Limitations
include sample size and gender bias, suggesting future research into male consumers
and nano-influencers (<1,000 followers)
Framing the Protestant Penumbra: Regional newspaper framing of Protestant identity in County Sligo 1914-1918
Get PDFNewspaper framing by the Sligo Independent during the period 1914-1918 provides evidence of a community in its final days “class-washing” the Protestant community in Sligo.
By using the British Army’s reasserting of English upper-class values used to recruit Irish soldiers for the war effort, the Sligo Independent newspaper reasserted British-Irish nobility as a credible identity of the Protestant Sligo community
Unwrapping Christmas: How Retail Brands Use Storytelling to Engage Consumers During the Holidays
Get PDFThe aim of this research is to explore emotional appeals and narrative structure in
contemporary Christmas advertisements, focusing on how retailers evoke emotional
resonance to engage audiences. Embracing a mixed-method approach, the study assessed
fifteen advertisements (2020-2024) from renowned retail brands like John Lewis, Amazon,
Apple, Coca-Cola, and Doc Morris by using quantitative coding of emotional appeals (nostalgia,
joy, empathy) alongside qualitative narrative analysis guided by Fisher’s Narrative Paradigm
Theory.
Findings reveal empathy as the dominant emotional appeal, fundamentally delivered through
visual storytelling while supported by coherent and culturally truthful narratives that foster
audience connection. All in all, the study introduces a new theoretical framework for effective
festive advertising campaigns but requires broader validation regarding cultural context and
audience demographics to achieve thorough narrative strategies
Do you want to believe?
Get PDFSince the dawn of human civilization, people have tended to explain the unexplainable by seeing nonexistent images and seeking help from higher powers. This dissertation aims to complement the radio documentary, Do you want to believe?, by explaining the scientific and historical aspects of the phenomenon of belief in the paranormal and the reasons for people’s interest in extrasensory perception.
This written report also addresses the psychological prerequisites involved in the formation of belief in the supernatural and analyzes its manifestations across different historical periods. It examines the probable reasons for the continued existence of this belief in the modern world.
Additionally, the report presents an analysis of how the topic of extrasensory practices is represented in other radio documentaries, podcasts, and TV shows.
The dissertation also covers the creative and technical process of producing the radio documentary, Do you want to believe?, from defining the topic and format to sound design decisions and final editing
Buy or Rent: A Photo Book Showcasing How Reframing Fashion Editorial Photography Can Affect the Consumer and Change the Way They Consume
Get PDFThis practice-based dissertation explores how the visual framing of fashion in women’s magazines influences consumer behaviour, particularly in relation to fast fashion and the rising alternatives of rental and resale. While sustainable fashion is gaining traction in editorial discourse, it remains largely absent from fashion photography, a key driver when it comes to consumption. Through critical analysis and creative practice, this project investigates whether changing how fashion is visually presented can encourage more conscious forms of consumption.
The creative outcome, Buy or Rent, is a photo book styled and shot using only second-hand or rented clothing. Drawing on the visual language of high fashion and women's weeklies, the book reimagines sustainable fashion as stylish, expressive, and culturally relevant. It positions editorial photography not as a neutral backdrop, but as a powerful cultural tool capable of shaping peoples values and behaviours.
This research finds that weekly fashion media often reinforces fast fashion mindsets through product-led styling and commercialised tone. The project argues that more intentional visual strategies could help normalise sustainable fashion in mainstream media, and offers a creative way of moving forward that challenges how value and desirability are constructed in fashion editorial spaces.
Good
Rainbow News A Portrayal of the Experiences of LGBTQIA+ Professionals in Irish Media
Get PDFThis dissertation accompanies a practical project in the form of a short documentary film based
on in-depth interviews with five professionals from the LGBTQIA+ community working
across various sectors of the Irish media landscape (radio, television, print, digital journalism,
and public relations). The primary objective of this research and its resulting product is to
explore the personal and professional experiences of these individuals over the past three
decades, offering a reflective insight into LGBTQIA+ representation and inclusivity within
media in the Republic of Ireland.
What emerges from these conversations is a largely encouraging picture. The interviews reveal
a generally positive and progressive professional environment for LGBTQIA+ media workers
in Ireland. All participants highlighted inclusive workplace cultures, supportive colleagues and
employers, and a lack of significant barriers related to sexual orientation or gender identity.
Coming out, they shared, was not something they were ever pressured to do. It happened
naturally, and was generally met with acceptance and encouragement rather than resistance.
That said, subtle challenges were not absent. While the overall narrative is optimistic, the
findings also acknowledge the nuanced realities of navigating professional life as a queer
person. Some participants recalled isolated incidents, such as being subtly advised to selfmonitor behaviour or tone, people wondering about their sexualities, and encountering
occasional differences in treatment. These small, yet still culturally rooted challenges, reflect
the ongoing complexities of full inclusion. However, such experiences were limited in scope
and do not indicate systemic discrimination, in the cases shown in the film.
Overall, both the written and practical elements of this project aim to document and reflect on
the evolving role and visibility of LGBTQIA+ individuals in Irish media over the past three
decades. It is a portrayal of how far things have come for members of the LGBTQIA+
community in the industry, and where there is still room for growth. Through storytelling and
reflection, it offers a hopeful yet grounded perspective on identity, representation, and
belonging in professional life. While the experiences highlighted here are largely positive, they
also serve as quiet reminders that visibility and inclusion are ongoing, not completed, journeys
Optimisation of Blend Uniformity in a Low Dose Dry Powder Inhaler Formulation: Investigating API and Excipient Interactions and Process Parameters
No full textThis dissertation investigates the optimisation of blend uniformity in low dose dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulations, focusing on the interplay between active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and excipient interactions, as well as critical process parameters such as blending time and speed. Through a combination of literature review, experimental analysis, and scale up studies, the research explores how material properties and mechanical energy inputs influence blend performance.
Findings revealed that while process optimisation reduced variability (%RSD) and improved uniformity in several batches, three out of eight failed to meet acceptance criteria, and most exhibited high maximum API content values. Particle size distribution (PSD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed that excipient morphology played a key role in API adhesion and dispersion, with coarse lactose enhancing flow and fine lactose improving binding.
Successful scale up from low shear to high shear blending using matched tip speeds demonstrated reproducibility and robustness, validating the hypothesis that mechanical energy translation supports consistent blend quality. However, limitations such as manual sampling bias, narrow material scope, and lack of real-time analytical tools were acknowledged.
This study contributes a scalable framework for DPI blend optimisation, emphasising the need for integrated formulation and process development. It advocates for a flexible, science-driven approach to manufacturing that enhances product quality and supports commercial feasibility
Beyond the Screen: Women’s Experiences of Sexism and Inclusion in Gaming Spaces
Get PDFThis thesis explores how sexism is sustained, negotiated, and resisted in contemporary
gaming communities, with a focus on online multiplayer environments and Reddit-based
narratives. It raises four central research questions: (1) What historical and cultural factors have
contributed to the perception of gaming as a male-dominated space? (2) What are the most
common forms of gender-based harassment and discrimination experienced by female gamers?
(3) How are gender stereotypes and toxic behaviours reinforced or challenged in communitydriven content and discussions? (4) How do female gamers respond to exclusionary behaviours,
and what coping strategies or forms of resistance do they adopt.
To address these questions, the study adopts a mixed-methods design. Quantitative data
was gathered via an online survey (n=79 valid responses) examining demographics, gaming habits,
and experiences of inclusion or harassment. Qualitative data included thematic analysis of Reddit
from three subreddits: r/Gaming, r/GirlGamers, and r/GamingCircleJerk. Coding was inductive
and informed by feminist theory, incorporating concepts such as affective labour, silencing, and
platform affordances.
The research findings show that exclusion is both cultural and infrastructural. Female
gamers report frequent instances of sexism, objectification, and gatekeeping, which are
exacerbated by the dynamics of the platform. Importantly, the internal group tensions illustrate
that exclusion is not only external, but also internalised and negotiated within marginalised groups.
This study argues that policy responses to online sexism must go beyond individual
behavioural sanctions and address the structural inequalities