David Hassan

Professor Hassan has published 15 books and 175 other scientific outputs, having worked collaboratively with academic researchers from around the globe.

A prominent scientist with an international reputation, he was awarded a Distinguished Research Fellowship by Ulster in recognition of his outstanding contribution to research. He is also a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.

Professor Hassan was the Founding Co-Director and Chair of the Special Olympics Regional Research Centre for Europe and Eurasia at Ulster (SORRC). SORRC is a vibrant pan-continental research centre with a clear focus on inclusion and opportunities for young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Professor Hassan’s research in the field of intellectual disabilities, supported extensively by over £300k of competitive external funding, has significantly enhanced the integration of young people with developmental disabilities across several European countries.

In 2013, the FIA World Motor Sport Council appointed him to its Strategic Task Force, and it began an association with the global governing body of motorsport that prevails, principally through the renowned FIA University, today. Nationally, he has been appointed to numerous leadership roles by the GAA, including most recently, as Chair of the GAA’s new Amateur Status Committee, a brief he assumed in February 2024.

He has been honoured by the President of Ireland for the impact of his academic research, whilst his work examining the needs of young people with a range of complex disabilities in the Middle East has been recognised by the UAE Minister for Culture, Youth, and Social Development.

His leadership roles extend to being Editor of both an SSCI-ranked academic journal and a successful book series for the global publisher Routledge. Professor Hassan has delivered over 30 keynotes/ invited lectures at various events around the world. A specialist reviewer for the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational qualifications, Prof Hassan has held Professorial appointments at the leading global institutions in his field – Loughborough University, UK, University of Technology, Sydney and Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia and The University of Newcastle Business School, New South Wales.

A regular commentator for the international media, Prof Hassan was an expert contributor to the PPI Gold Award-winning documentary broadcast by the BBC entitled ‘Does the Cap Fit?’ and, more recently, its award-winning series ‘The Long and Short of It’ in February 2024.