Steven Doyle

Steven Doyle – Nurse, Educator, Documentary Photographer, and Activist
Steven Doyle is an Irish nurse, adult educator, documentary photographer, and activist whose work is grounded in critical health studies, social justice, and the ethics of representation. With over 25 years of professional experience as a registered nurse, he has developed a practice informed by both clinical expertise and a sustained commitment to addressing health-related stigma, particularly in the context of HIV.
In 2019, Steven initiated The PLHIV Documentary. This independent and entirely self-funded project integrates portrait photography and oral testimony to document the lives of people living with HIV across Ireland, the United Kingdom, Europe, and, most recently, Brazil. Drawing on principles of participatory research and narrative inquiry, the project foregrounds the lived experiences of individuals whose voices are frequently marginalised in public discourse, including LGBTQI+ communities, migrant women, and people ageing with HIV.
A central influence in Steven’s work is the story of Nicu Bordian, whom he met as a young boy living with HIV in institutional care in Romania during the early 1990s. After adopting Nicu and bringing him to Ireland, Steven supported him through adolescence and young adulthood until Nicu’s passing in 2016. This relationship continues to inform the ethical and personal foundations of Steven’s practice.
In addition to his clinical and educational work, Steven has travelled extensively to document HIV narratives, conducting interviews and photographic sessions across diverse social and cultural contexts. His catalogue of portraits and testimonies has been used informally in healthcare training and community education, demonstrating the value of lived experience in challenging stigma and fostering empathy among professionals.
Steven is a member of the European AIDS Treatment Group and serves as a committee member of both the Quality of Life Programme and the Combination Prevention Programme. He is currently seeking funding partnerships to develop The PLHIV Documentary into a travelling photographic exhibition and a published book intended as a comprehensive educational resource for integration into curricula in healthcare, social work, and related disciplines internationally.
He continues to work in Ireland, collaborating with communities and organisations committed to equity, inclusion, and amplifying the voices of marginalised individuals.