Fantastic to attend today’s launch of the new Research Ireland Rinn Research Centres! Congratulations to Research Ireland, the centre leadership teams, institutional partners, industry collaborators, and so many researchers whose work, vision, and commitment have brought these ambitious initiatives to the launch point. And now the hard work begins! It's great to see Team Maynooth so well represented across the Rinn network including: 🔹 Rinn Pharma & Biopharma 🔹 Rinn Energy 🔹 Rinn Artificial Intelligence 🔹 Rinn Quantum 🔹 Rinn Advanced Therapies A special congratulations to all my colleagues leading and contributing to Maynooth University’s involvement in these centres. #MaynoothUniversity #MUResearch #ResearchIreland #ResearchImpact #Innovation #ArtificialIntelligence #HealthInnovation #DataScience #HealthAndWellbeing #Sustainability

On my way to the launch of the new Research Ireland Rinn Research Centres this morning! This event marks a significant investment in Ireland’s research and innovation system and reflects the importance of sustained support for excellent research, talent development, and collaboration between higher education, industry, government, and society. I am particularly pleased to see @MaynoothUni researchers playing leading roles in these new centres. Congratulations to Rosemary Monahan, Niamh Cahill, Gareth Jones, and Delma Byrne, who are leading Maynooth University’s contribution to Rinn Artificial Intelligence – Research & Innovation in Data Science and AI. Congratulations also to Shirley O’Dea and Aisling McMahon, who are leading Maynooth University’s involvement in Rinn Advanced Therapies – Research & Innovation in Personalised Immune Cell Therapeutics These centres represent an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration across institutions, disciplines, and sectors while addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing society. I am looking forward to hearing more about the ambitions for these new centres today and to meeting colleagues from across Ireland’s research and innovation community. #MaynoothUniversity #MUResearch #ResearchIreland #ResearchImpact #Innovation #ArtificialIntelligence #HealthInnovation #DataScience #HealthAndWellbeing irishexaminer.com/business/e…

The debate on Research Ireland’s strategy, including doctoral and postdoctoral funding reforms, has prompted important discussions across the research community. In particular, the Government of Ireland Scholarship and Fellowship programmes have supported many exceptional researchers and have made a significant contribution to Irish research. It is therefore understandable that there is concern about changes to a system that has been valued by many. At the same time, I think the debate raises broader questions about what we want a national research funding system to achieve. Research excellence is clearly central. However, excellence is not always straightforward to define or identify. Competitive peer-review systems can play an important role, but they are not infallible. When success rates are low and when applications are of such high quality, distinguishing between excellent and exceptional can become increasingly difficult. No single funding mechanism can capture all dimensions of excellence. Equally important is the role of discovery research. Many of the most transformative advances in knowledge have emerged from curiosity-driven inquiry rather than from attempts to solve predefined problems. A healthy research ecosystem must support both discovery-led and mission-oriented research, recognising that today’s fundamental questions often become tomorrow’s innovations and societal solutions. Sustainability is also critical. A successful research system must not only identify talented individuals today, but also build the capacity, critical mass and research environments that will sustain excellence into the future. Long-term planning, stable doctoral and postdoctoral pipelines, disciplinary diversity, and opportunities for emerging researchers all matter if Ireland is to remain internationally competitive. For me, the most important question is not whether one funding mechanism is inherently better than another. Rather, it is whether the overall system supports excellent researchers, fosters creativity and discovery, remains fair and transparent, and creates the conditions for a vibrant and sustainable research ecosystem over the long term. The concerns being expressed across the sector deserve serious consideration. We should also remain open to the possibility that new approaches may help address some longstanding challenges while creating opportunities for greater sustainability and strategic investment in research talent. #Research #ResearchExcellence #DiscoveryResearch #Curiosity #Creativity #Innovation #ResearchLeadership #HigherEducation #FutureOfResearch

“We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that heat wave events such as this have been made more likely and more severe due to climate change,” said Peter Thorne, director of ICARUS Climate Research Centre at Maynooth University, Ireland. “But nevertheless many of the records being set, particularly in the UK and France, are mind-bogglingly crazy,” he added. cnn.com/2026/05/26/climate/e…

Fantastic to see Maynooth University’s Faculty of Science & Engineering launch 25 new ARDÚ Doctoral Scholarships supporting the next generation of researchers across Data Science & Digital Transformation, Health & Wellbeing, and Sustainability & Climate Change. These fully funded scholarships represent a significant investment in interdisciplinary research and research talent development, enabling doctoral researchers to contribute to solutions for some of the most pressing global challenges facing society today. The themes align strongly with Maynooth University’s Research Beacons and our commitment to impactful, collaborative research with real societal value. A fantastic opportunity for prospective PhD researchers interested in working at the intersection of innovation, technology, health, sustainability, and societal impact. Find out more here: maynoothuniversity.ie/gradua… #MaynoothUniversity #MUResearch #ResearchBeacons #PhD #Scholarships #DataScience #DigitalTransformation #HealthAndWellbeing #Sustainability #ClimateChange #Innovation

It was a pleasure to visit the THRIVE Centre of Business Excellence in Navan, hosted by Meath County Council and the Regional Skills Forum, to see first-hand this impressive new hub for innovation, enterprise, and regional development. The THRIVE Centre has fantastic facilities, bringing together supports for enterprise, tourism, food business development, broadband, and climate action under one roof to help businesses start, grow, and succeed. There is enormous potential in strengthening collaboration between higher education and regional partners to support inclusive economic development and deliver societal impact — something that resonates strongly with Maynooth University’s commitment to interdisciplinary and engaged research. Thank you to Meath County Council and everyone involved for the warm welcome and tour! meath.ie/council/news/meath-… #MaynoothUniversity #MUResearch #Innovation #RegionalDevelopment #Enterprise #EconomicDevelopment #Collaboration

Dance is expression – but access isn’t equal. On #InternationalDanceDay, Delia Ferri at Maynooth University shows why inclusion in dance is essential to cultural rights and diversity. Read the full story 👉 bit.ly/4cNdTMf

Delighted to attend today’s launch of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s 2025 Thematic Research Call Awards at the State Laboratory campus in Backweston. A great day for Maynooth University, with funding awarded to: • Prof Fiona Walsh – antimicrobial resistance in environmental systems • Prof Emmanuelle Graciet – plant health and crop resilience in oilseed Congratulations to both on this well-deserved recognition! This is important work and reflects the strength and impact of our research community. Continued investment in research like this is critical to addressing complex challenges across the bioeconomy.

Great to attend the National Challenge Fund Event today and to support Maynooth University colleagues Dr Amy Fahy and Professor Fabiano Pallonetto on their success with the RENEW project. RENEW is tackling one of the most important challenges of our time — enabling communities to actively participate in the energy transition through innovative, scalable solutions. It’s a strong example of how interdisciplinary research can deliver real societal impact, bringing together technology, policy, and community engagement. The National Challenge Fund is an impressive initiative, supporting teams to move from ideas to real-world solutions addressing national priorities in areas like climate and digital transformation. Great to see Maynooth University research contributing so strongly in this space — and I look forward to seeing the continued impact of RENEW as it develops. #MaynoothUniversity #MUResearch #ResearchBeacons #ClimateChange #Sustainability #RenewableEnergy #ClimateAction

The newly launched De Chastelain Scholarship Programme is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen research links between Ireland and Canada. The programme is supported by both governments and offers awards of up to CAD $16,500 to enable short research visits (3–6 weeks) across all disciplines. While framed around peace and reconciliation, this is interpreted in its broadest sense — spanning the systems that underpin stable, thriving societies: governance, health, environment, culture, technology, and more. Eighteen scholarships will be awarded each year, with opportunities for both Emerging Scholars (within seven years of PhD) and Established Scholars, and a strong emphasis on supporting early-career researchers. 📅 Deadline: 11 May 🔗 icuf.ie/scholarships/de-chas… If you know colleagues who might be interested, please do share — it would be great to see a strong and diverse pool of applicants from across disciplines and institutions in both Ireland and Canada. #ResearchOpportunities #InternationalCollaboration #MaynoothUniversity #MUResearch #ResearchBeacons

It was a privilege yesterday to attend the inaugural lecture of Professor Fintan Sheerin, Professor of Nursing and Founding Head of the School of Nursing at Maynooth University. Fintan spoke about the development of nurses across their careers — and the distinction between being ‘a nurse’ and being ‘nurse’. His reflections on presence, and on the importance of the space between humans, were particularly powerful. Fintan reminded us that care is not only about expertise and tasks but about connection, presence and humanity. This resonates strongly with Maynooth University’s Health & Wellbeing Research Beacon — where the focus is not just on advancing knowledge, but on improving lives through inclusive, person-centred approaches. A deeply reflective and inspiring lecture. Congratulations to Fintan! #MaynoothUniversity #MUResearch #ResearchBeacons #HealthAndWellbeing #Nursing #HealthEducation #NurseEducation

At Maynooth University, @con20or and colleagues in @Maynoothgeog and Education have been bringing space into Irish classrooms—using real satellite data to engage students with the world around them and build critical digital and spatial skills. I am really happy to see this work gaining the national recognition it deserves! It’s a brilliant example of research in action: connecting our expertise in geospatial data, sustainability, and digital innovation directly into schools. What makes this especially significant is that this initiative was recognised by the Higher Education Authority as an Institutional Story of Impact—a national case study of how universities can deliver meaningful societal value. It’s a powerful reminder that impact is not abstract—it happens in classrooms, in communities, and in the opportunities we create for the next generation. 🔗 hea.ie/funding-governance-pe… 🔗 maynoothuniversity.ie/facult… #MaynoothUniversity #MUResearch #ResearchBeacons #DataScience #DigitalTransformation #Geospatial #STEMEducation #PublicImpact #DigitalSkills

Maynooth University and University of California, Berkeley are working together using the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship programme as a platform to build international partnerships. The UC Berkeley, Rausser College of Natural Resources and the Institute for European Studies are interested in hosting postdoctoral fellows and developing joint applications with Maynooth researchers. We are now inviting expressions of interest from: • postdoctoral researchers interested in developing an international MSCA fellowship • academic colleagues interested in hosting a fellow and building new collaborations with Berkeley If you are a postdoctoral researcher considering an MSCA fellowship, or a colleague interested in hosting, we would be delighted to hear from you. We will support a structured process including matching, proposal development, and an intensive workshop in Ireland ahead of the September MSCA deadline. 📅 Updated expression of interest deadline: 5 May 2026 More information and how to get involved: maynoothuniversity.ie/resear… This is an excellent opportunity to build new international collaborations and attract outstanding research talent. #MSCA #Postdoctoral #ResearchCollaboration #InternationalResearch #MaynoothUniversity #Berkeley

Delighted to receive a copy of Understanding Cybersecurity Management in the Construction Industry: Challenges, Strategies and Trends by Zohreh Pourzolfaghar, Arash Habibi Lashkari, Rozita Hashemi, and Markus Helfert from Maynooth University's Innovation Value Institute This book is part of the Understanding Cybersecurity Series and offers timely insights into how digital transformation is reshaping risk in the construction sector, from IoT and connected systems to AI-driven environments. As infrastructure becomes smarter, the importance of robust cybersecurity strategies becomes ever more critical. Many thanks to the authors for sharing their work, I’m looking forward to diving deeper into the intersection of cybersecurity, digital construction, and emerging technologies. link.springer.com/book/10.10… #Cybersecurity #SmartConstruction #DigitalTransformation #Infrastructure #Research

Excited to be developing a new research collaboration between Maynooth University and UC Berkeley, using the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship programme as a platform to build international partnerships. The UC Berkeley, Rausser College of Natural Resources and the Institute of European Studies, UC Berkeley are interested in hosting postdoctoral fellows and developing joint applications with Maynooth researchers. We are now inviting expressions of interest from: • postdoctoral researchers interested in developing an international MSCA fellowship • academic colleagues interested in hosting a fellow and building new collaborations with Berkeley We will support a structured process including matching, proposal development, and an intensive workshop in Ireland ahead of the September MSCA deadline. 📅 Expression of interest deadline: 27 April 2026 More information and how to get involved: maynoothuniversity.ie/resear… This is a great opportunity to build new international collaborations and attract outstanding research talent. @NatureAtCal @UCBerkeleyIES #MSCA #Postdoctoral #ResearchCollaboration #InternationalResearch #MaynoothUniversity #Berkeley

Delighted to highlight this exciting initiative at Maynooth University! A core strength of Maynooth is how we bring people and ideas together, across disciplines, across borders, and across sectors, to tackle complex global challenges. Our Distinguished International Collaborator programme is an important part of that vision! Through the Programme, we are opening our doors to leading international scholars and innovators who want to engage with our research community in a flexible and meaningful way. This programme is about building genuine, lasting collaborations that enrich our research environment and extend our global partnerships. If this resonates with you, take a closer look and start a conversation. #AcademicCareers #GlobalCollaboration #ResearchLeadership #HigherEducation perrettlaver.com/maynooth-un…

I had the pleasure of visiting Berkeley Lab with Daniel Kearns, Attaché for Talent and Innovation at the Consulate General of Ireland in San Francisco. Many thanks to Eoin Brodie and his colleagues for hosting us and for such an engaging discussion about their research, as well as the opportunity to see some of the outstanding facilities at Berkeley Lab. Visits like this really bring home what sustained national investment in research infrastructure can enable. As Ireland moves forward with initiatives such as the INSPIRE programme, it is exciting to think about the scale of scientific ambition and collaboration that this kind of investment can support. Thank you again to Eoin and the Berkeley Lab team for their time and generosity in sharing their work! #ResearchInfrastructure #INSPIRE #BerkeleyLab #InternationalCollaboration @LBNLresearch

Priorities for 2026

Talent, excellence and impact at the heart of this new @Researchirel strategy! Wonderful to hear accounts of impactful research at the launch.