Deirdre is a distinguished author, broadcaster and researcher. She is a senior associate of Nuffield Trust; the leading UK healthcare think tank.
She has written extensively on healthcare, politics and devolution. This year she co-authored a book on devolution in the UK and has just completed a book on mental health due for publication in 2025. She is a columnist for the Irish News and the Sunday Business Post.
Deirdre is a co-founder and former co-director of the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey, the leading attitudinal survey in the North. She is also a former Pro Vice Chancellor, Provost and Dean of Academic Development at Ulster University.
In 2012 she was appointed to the Irish President’s Council of State as one of the seven personal nominees of President Michael D Higgins.
Deirdre is currently the Northern Ireland lead for a £15 million UK wide project on healthcare. She is currently undertaking research on all-island cancer services and healthcare reform. She is a board member of ARINS. She is the Northern Ireland honorary consul to Austria.