Dr Rory Sheehan

Biography

Dr Rory Sheehan specialises in research with people with intellectual disability and neurodevelopmental disorders. His work uses qualitative and quantitative methods to explore important topics related to the health and healthcare of this group and their carers, with a clinically-applied focus. He is particularly interested in improving services and outcomes by addressing inappropriate medication use, physical health conditions, and the health inequities that people with intellectual disabilities and autism experience.

Dr Sheehan is establishing a programme of work investigating the epidemiology, needs, interventions, and services for people with intellectual disability and neurodevelopmental disorders who offend or encounter the Criminal Justice System. He works clinically as an honorary consultant psychiatrist in a forensic community service for adults with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disorders in south London.

Dr Sheehan joined KCL in December 2020 after completing his PhD at University College London. 

Research Interests

• Intellectual (learning) disability and autism
• Interface between intellectual disability, neurodevelopmental disorders, mental illness, and offending behaviour
• Forensic psychiatry
• Health inequities
• Health services research

Expertise and Public Engagement

• Council member, Intellectual Disability Forum, Royal Society of Medicine
• Associate Editor, Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
• Editorial board member, Journal of Intellectual Disability Research