Seven UCD projects inspiring STEM public engagement funded
4 April 2025
Seven projects from UCD seeking to drive innovation and engagement in STEM education have received funding under (opens in a new window)Research Ireland’s Discover Programme.
Aiming to create greater public awareness of the impact of STEM on everyday life, the programme emphasising collaboration with communities and showing how the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics contribution to Ireland’s industry, enterprise, and societal progress.
The UCD projects are among 40 chosen to receive a €6.5 million investment announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, and Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee.
The funded UCD projects are:
- (opens in a new window)Professor Helen Roche, UCD Conway Institute and UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science - ‘CuriosiTY: Broadening participation in a transition year STEM placement programme’. Awarded: €197,172.25.
- (opens in a new window)Professor Walter Kolch, Systems Biology Ireland and UCD School of Medicine - ‘Let’s chat medicine: An innovative PEI cycle in health-related research’. Awarded: €249,704.00.
- (opens in a new window)Professor Gerardine Meaney, UCD School of English, Drama and Film - ‘Miasma: Trust, Data and Public Health'. Awarded €253,034.00.
- (opens in a new window)Associate Professor Virginie Gautier, UCD School of Medicine - ‘STEM UP: Unlocking Potential and Breaking Barriers for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Students’. Awarded: €34,920.00 (Co-funded by Department of Education).
- Dr Sharon Shannon, UCD School of Physics - ‘Chorus’. Awarded: €299,396.15.
- Conor Haugh, Biorbic - ‘Generation Glas: Ireland's Network of Young Sustainability Champions’. Awarded: €299,758.12.
- Dr Fergus McAuliffe, iCRAG - ‘Get into Geoscience’. Awarded. €234,940.00 (co-funded by Department of Education).
In addition, (opens in a new window)Associate Professor Shane Bergin, UCD School of Education will lead a National Concert Hall project awarded €50,220.
This programme, 'Quavers to Quadratics: Music and Science', encourages primary school children to play with ideas common to science and music.
Announcing the funding, Minister James Lawless highlighted the importance of such public engagement initiatives.
“These Discover-funded projects are crucial for triggering curiosity and encouraging greater participation in STEM across all education levels and within our communities. In particular, this investment will help foster a deeper understanding of STEM among underrepresented voices and inspire many of them to potentially become more involved in studies and careers in these fields. This will empower future generations to tackle societal challenges and share innovative solutions.”
Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee adding: “STEM stretches far beyond the classroom and lecture halls, and the projects we are supporting will help thread theories through to real-world application and relevance.”
Celine Fitzgerald, Interim CEO at Research Ireland, welcomed the investment, saying the Discover Programme is a cornerstone of Research Ireland’s education and public engagement strategy.
“We are so pleased to be supporting these 40 projects and look forward to seeing them strengthen STEM engagement across Ireland and encourage more inclusive participation in shaping the future of science and innovation in Ireland.”
By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations (with materials from Emma Loughney, UCD Research and Innovation)
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
