Applied geoscience researchers have gathered in UCD to mark 10 years of the iCRAG Research Ireland Centre for Applied Geosciences.     

Under the theme of "iCRAG@10: Evolving for a Changing World" the event showcased innovative research projects from across the geoscience, engineering, environment, climate, and societal sectors. The content reflected on the impact of iCRAG’s research over the past decade and attendees explored opportunities for future applied research topics to shape a sustainable society. 

Speaking at the event, iCRAG Director Prof Murray Hitzman remarked: “Geoscientists play a vital role in addressing today’s major challenges by developing solutions for a sustainable society. Our work ranges from pioneering sustainable methods for discovering raw materials essential for the energy transition to safeguarding terrestrial, groundwater, and marine environments. Through these efforts over the past 10 years, our interdisciplinary, multi-institutional research team has made significant contributions to the economy, environment, and society, both in Ireland and internationally.”

President of UCD, Prof Orla Feely said: “iCRAG@10 showcased the outstanding work of over 300 researchers involved in iCRAG’s research programme across 10 years. Since the iCRAG Research Centre was first established in 2015 in UCD it has delivered world-leading applied and blue sky research across numerous fields.”

Celine Fitzgerald, CEO of Research Ireland, said: “I would like to congratulate the iCRAG Research Ireland Centre on its work in the areas of energy resources and raw materials over the last decade. The Centre has explored innovative solutions for a sustainable society and encouraged public discourse on geosciences and climate change. Through its multidisciplinary education and public engagement programme, it has actively incorporated the arts and humanities to bring these important topics to life.” 

In the morning, attendees heard a keynote address from Prof Chris Jackson, Technical Director of Subsurface Storage at WSP and Visiting Professor, Imperial College, London who focussed on the question: “Can Geoscience Save Humanity?”

The afternoon keynote at the conference was delivered by Prof Kikki Kleiven, Director at the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research at the University of Bergen, on Actionable Geosciences for Better-Informed Decision-Making to Help Solve Real-World Problems.

Key impacts of the Centre highlighted at iCRAG@10 included:

• Research funding success: €187M in research funding secured from national and international sources since the Centre was established
• Scientific excellence: iCRAG researchers have authored over 1,400 papers since January 2015
• Scientific Excellence: iCRAG researchers have won six highly prestigious European Research Council awards
• Industry Collaboration: iCRAG has engaged 99 industry partners driving Ireland’s innovation and international reach
• Talent development: the Centre has trained a new talent pipeline of geoscientists, engineers and social scientists and has graduated 59 PhDs and trained 154 PDs
• Public Engagement: iCRAG’s Education and Public Engagement Programmes have reached thousands of members of the public, teachers and artists, building engaged and scientifically informed publics.

For more information about iCRAG@10, including the conference programme and full line-up of speakers, visit: https://www.icrag-centre.org/icrag@10/

Image: iCRAG COO Dr Aoife Brady, keynote speakers Prof Chris Jackson and Prof Kikki Kleiven, and iCRAG Director Prof Murray Hitzman