The Generator – Postdoctoral Research in an Interdisciplinary World
Funded by UCD ReCLAIM and The Wellcome Trust
The third and final Generator workshop - ‘The Final Stretch’ - took place on 15 May 2025. This marked the end of a series of three excellent sessions organised in recent months under this project, allowing for interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
Our four teams of early career researchers from 12 different Schools across UCD presented their refined interdisciplinary research projects to their peers and invited expert stakeholders as they competed for seed funding to bring the projects to the next stage.
A particularly rewarding aspect of the final workshop was the rich feedback from stakeholders and distinguished guests. Each group received essential input from those within associated fields - with a particular focus on improving each projects' research impact.
UCD Vice President for Research, Innovation and Impact Professor Kate Robson Brown opened the workshop. Her presence and active engagement throughout highlighted the value placed by UCD on our post-doc community and interdisciplinary research. It was also a pleasure to have Dr Fiona Blighe, Programme Operations Manager at Research Ireland, in attendance whose excellent guidance was invaluable for each group.
Community Climate Action: Local Solutions for Global Change
Presenters: Miguel Angel Trejo-Rangel (School of Architecture), Stephanie Sangalang (School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems), Saule Akhmetkaliyeva (School of Biology & Environmental Science), Andrew Ó Donnghaile (School of Irish, Celtic Studies & Folklore)
Stakeholders: Dr Eimear Cotter, Director, Environmental Protection Agency + Dr Mary Kelly, former Director General, Environmental Protection Agency
MindMovers: Waste-sorting Behaviours in Irish Households
Presenters: Salman Khan (School of Civil Engineering), Sahar Hammoud (School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems), Rosie Carrol (School of Education), Yemisi Olomo (School of Business)
Stakeholders: Dr Eimear Cotter, Director, Environmental Protection Agency + Dr Mary Kelly, former Director General, Environmental Protection Agency
UDLit: AI-based tool for efficient modification of existing lecture material to comply with Universal Design for Learning principles
Presenters: Tristan Russell (School of Medicine), Nils Lambacher (Biomolecular & Biomedical Science), Angeliki Lima (School of Education)
Stakeholder: Declan Qualter, UCD School of Education
Connect4: Foundations of Freedom
Presenters: Dr Saoirse Enright (Sutherland School of Law), Christoph Neuenschwander (School of Languages, Cultures & Linguistics), Lasith Niroshan (School of Architecture), Busra Ertugrul (School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems)
Stakeholder: Nuala Haughey, Head of Communications, Research and Innovation, Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA)
Our sincere thanks to all stakeholders, mentors, discussants and guests for their attendance and engaging participation throughout all three iterations of The Generator workshops. Their contributions were instrumental as each group ultimately refined their projects for final consideration.
Prof. Imelda Maher, School of Law (Lead PI)
Dr. Roderick Jones, School of Mechanical Engineering (Co-PI)
Prof. Eilish McAuliffe, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems (Co-PI)
