Ms. Melissa Kinch
Dr. Melissa Kinch is an Assistant Professor/Lecturer and Programme Chair (Children’s and General Nursing - Integrated) in the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health at Dublin City University (DCU). Dr. Kinch is a Registered Children’s and General Nurse, with clinical practice experience across acute medical and surgical specialties. Dr. Kinch’s research interests include qualitative and participatory research in the areas of child, adolescent and family health and wellbeing, rare disease research, and life transitions. Dr. Kinch has a particular interest in co-design and participatory research approaches that place the voice of the child and family at the heart of their care. Dr. Kinch successfully defended her PhD at University College Dublin in June 2026. This PhD study employed a Design Thinking approach to co-design solutions to support young people living with rare renal disorders, and their families with the healthcare transition between paediatric and adult services. Dr. Kinch has published their research in high-impact research journals.
Dr. Kinch has held the position of coordinator of the UK/Ireland Chapter of the International Family Nursing Association (IFNA) since January 2023. Dr. Kinch has also previously served as coordinator for the All-Ireland Rare Disease Interdisciplinary Research Network (RAiN). As part of this role, Dr. Kinch supported the coordination and facilitation of a rare disease Children’s Research Advisory Group (CRAG), and parent advisory group, ‘Cup O’Collaboration’. Dr. Kinch works closely with the international children’s advisory network (iCAN) and TEDDYKids network, as well as co-chairing the Kids in Action group, associated with the International Collaboration for Participatory Health Research (ICPHR)
Research Interests
Child, Adolescent and Family Health and Wellbeing
Rare Diseases
Healthcare Transitions
Life Transitions
Qualitative and participatory methodologies and methods
Co-design research
Health systems
Interdisciplinary research