The Research Department was established in 1998 and is based at Bonnington House, Montenotte, Cork. It aims to ensure that COPE Foundation is a centre of excellence in the field of intellectual disability studies by encouraging projects which contribute to our understanding of the needs of people with disability, the improvement of services and a better quality of service for our clients.

Proposals are reviewed by a Research Committee who meet at least quarterly. Many research projects large and small have been supported and carried out by the Department. They span a broad range of disciplines in the field of intellectual disability, including Psychology, Nursing, Social Work, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Early Intervention, Physiotherapy, Education (for details on projects conducted in COPE foundation see Research Directory 1970-2000 and Research Directory 2000-2005)

The Department hosts biannual research seminars to present its findings to staff, management and other professionals working in the field of intellectual disabilities nationwide.

It also publishes a quarterly newsletter, which chronicles the ongoing projects of the department and provides reviews of recent conferences and other events relevant to intellectual disability research see most recent edition of Research News (link to latest edition of Research News; for back issues contact the Department).

For further information on ongoing research, publication or activities of the Research Department please contact:

Mary Desmond
Head of Assessment/Guidance, Training and Employment
email: desmondm@cope-foundation.ie