Creating our Future is a government-led national brainstorm and gives the people of Ireland the opportunity to inform the direction of research
Researchers, industry stakeholders, staff and students recently took part in Ireland’s biggest brainstorm when the Creating our Future Roadshow stopped by South East Technological University (WIT) on Monday 22 November.
Helping make a better future for Ireland
Creating Our Future is a government-led national brainstorm and gives the people of Ireland the opportunity to inform the direction of research. From science, the environment, health and education to poverty, the arts, diversity and inclusion - all ideas are welcome that can inspire researchers to help make a better future for Ireland.
Hosted by Science Foundation Ireland in conjunction with WIT’s Research Support Unit, the event consisted of a one hour virtual brain storm session via Zoom. The Creating Our Future truck was also on site at WIT’s main campus throughout the day to provide refreshments and gather ideas from passing traffic.
Research-informed society
Dr Mark White, Vice President of Research Innovation and Graduate Studies, opened the online event by stressing the importance of research and encouraging participants to share their unique and innovative ideas: “Today represents another opportunity for people in the southeast, including our own academic and research communities in Waterford IT, to contribute to the government-led conversation on the role and direction research can and should play in addressing opportunities, challenges and hopes for the future. National brainstorming events, such as today’s, helps inform future government policy and demonstrates our commitment nationally and internationally to become a research-informed society.”
WIT researchers provided a snapshot of their work
Contributors were also inspired by guest speakers, SETU researchers Dr Evan Matthews, Dr Aisling Tuite, Dr Deirdre Kilbane, and Dr Zeta Dooly, who provided a snapshot of their research which covers a broad spectrum of themes:
Dr Evan Matthews is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Department of Nursing and HealthCare, Research Lead with the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit, South-East (HSE), and coordinator of the CARE Collaborations initiative (WIT/NMPDU) which funds nursing and midwifery postgraduate research in the southeast region.
Dr Aisling Tuite is a Postdoctoral Researcher on the project ‘Understanding Unemployment in the Era of Big Data’, funded by the Irish Research Council New Horizons Interdisciplinary Research scheme, exploring the organisation of unemployment through the PEX (probability of exit) algorithm.
Dr Deirdre Kilbane is Head of the Emerging Networks Lab Division at Walton Institute which focuses on communication networks: how they are designed, configured and used. Her research combines nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, quantum and molecular communication to develop innovative technologies for Agriculture, Healthcare and ICT.
Dr Zeta Dooly is a lecturer in School of Education and Lifelong learning. Her current research interest include technology and society; Using Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) in classroom, design of ethical algorithms for public administration, policy to code Hecat.eu, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Enhancing Student Education experience using IA, AR, VR, MR with Neurodiverse students.
Innovative solutions
The event was a resounding success, with over 40 people taking part in the virtual brain storm session discussing innovative solutions to global issues, and many stopping by the Creating Our Future truck throughout the day to speak with researchers and the SFI team.
All ideas submitted throughout the Creating Our Future campaign will be reviewed by a panel of research experts, and a report prepared and presented to the Government in March 2022.