News and Events

Highly Cited: UCD researchers named amongst 2024’s most influential

Three researchers at University College Dublin are among the top 1% of the world's most cited academics according to the (opens in a new window)latest Highly Cited Researchers report, compiled by Clarivate Analytics. The 2024 listings have named Professors (opens in a new window)Da-Wen Sun and (opens in a new window)Paula Bourke, both from the UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, as well as Eliana B. Souto, SALI Professor of Pharmaceutical Engineering at the UCD School of Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering as among the 6,636 researchers recognised this year as having demonstrated significant influence in their chosen fields.

An opportunity to apply for the ESTEEM Graduate Program at the University of Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame is now accepting applications for the ESTEEM Graduate Program in technology and entrepreneurship. UCD students in Science and Engineering who will be completing their UCD degree this academic year and are available to start the ESTEEM Program in June 2025 may apply. Throughout this 11-month master of science degree program, students from technical backgrounds are provided with the skills and experience to launch new businesses and become innovators within large corporations, and leaders of dynamic, innovative teams.

Scientists’ next-generation space materials blast off for tests on ISS

A new generation of space materials left Earth this morning as they head to the International Space Station (ISS) to undergo testing in the brutal conditions of low Earth orbit. Developed at the University of Bristol, these high-performance materials could be used to build future space stations, spacecraft for interplanetary travel or a new ISS.
They will be placed on the Bartolomeo platform, located on the front of the ISS, where they will orbit Earth up to 9,000 times over the next 12 to 18 months at speeds of 17,000 mph. The carbon fibre reinforced composites will need to survive temperatures between -150ºC and +120ºC, space debris travelling seven times faster than a bullet, severe electromagnetic radiation, high vacuum and atomic oxygen, which erodes even the toughest materials.

Competition! Celebrating John Stewart Bell’s Legacy

In honor of the 60th anniversary of John Stewart Bell's groundbreaking work on Bell's Inequality, quantum computing startup and UCD spinout Equal1 is launching an inaugural ‘Quantum Solutions for the Environment Challenge’ and invites students across the island of Ireland to explore the transformative potential of quantum technologies to address environmental challenges.

As a tribute to Bell, a Belfast-born physicist whose work fundamentally reshaped our understanding of quantum mechanics, the challenge aims to inspire the next generation of Irish scientists, engineers, and software developers to build on his legacy.

Minister O’Donovan announces €26million for 40 research projects

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD, has today announced funding of €26 million for 40 research projects.
Funded under the Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future Programme, the projects address key areas such as environmental sustainability, new EV battery technologies, breast cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and currently untreatable childhood neurological disorders.
As a Frontiers for the Future partner, Children’s Health Foundation is funding two of the 40 projects (childhood epilepsy and cystic fibrosis) and co-funding another project with Research Ireland (bone cancer).
Welcoming the announcement, Minister O’Donovan said: “I am pleased to announce the Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future projects, which support high-risk, high-reward research endeavours. The selected projects, spanning 12 research institutions, bring fresh and innovative ideas that will help boost business and be

Professor Anding Zhu elected IEEE MTT-S President

The world’s largest professional association for wireless and microwave technology, the (opens in a new window)IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society (MTT-S), has elected (opens in a new window)Professor Anding Zhu as President.

A researcher at the UCD School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Head of the RF & Microwave Research Group at University College Dublin, Professor Zhu will take up the role in 2026 after he was named President-Elect.

“I am deeply honoured to have been elected as President of the IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society,” he said.

Launch of Podcast: Bridges and Bytes – Introducing the Student Voice on AI and Assessment

This new podcast series from the College of Engineering and Architecture at University College Dublin is launching its first season: “The Student Voice on AI and Assessment”. This student-driven podcast takes a deep dive into the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in academic assessments, providing a unique and much-needed student perspective on the future of education.

European Research Council Funds Cutting-Edge Irish Research into Microplastics and Traumatic Brain Injury

Two University College Dublin (UCD) researchers are among 494 young scholars to receive European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grants today. The funding - totalling nearly €780 million - is part of the EU Horizon Europe programme and will support the scholars to launch cutting-edge research projects. Seven projects in total will be hosted in Ireland.

Engineering Class of 1958

Seventy years of friendship – when the Engineering Class of 1958 first met in UCD in 1954, they forged a strong bond that would last a lifetime. The class celebrated their inaugural reunion in 1998 to mark 40 years since graduation. Further reunions followed to celebrate their Golden and Diamond anniversaries.

Professor Finola O'Kane appointed as a Senior Fellow at Dumbarton Oaks for Garden and Landscape Studies

The fellowship program in Garden and Landscape Studies at Dumbarton Oaks seeks a balance between historical research and investigations of current practice, between inquiries at the scale of the garden and those addressing larger landscapes.

SBFE research fellow Xiaohui Lin receives the MSCA DOROTHY COFUND award

Dr Xiaohui Lin, a research fellow in the School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, has received the MSCA DOROTHY COFUND award, for her research tackling major public health challenges.

Upskill with UCD’s engineering micro-credentials — 80% learner fee subsidy available

UCD College of Engineering and Architecture micro-credentials give learners the opportunity to upskill and reskill in highly specialised areas. These short courses are currently funded by 50% or 80%.

Micro-credentials are short, flexible, accredited, industry-aligned courses that give learners the opportunity to upskill and boost their career prospects. The content for these engineering micro-credentials is developed and delivered by the university's world-class academic faculty.

Micro-credentials aim to address many of the barriers to life-long learning and their flexible design enables learners to successfully balance further study with other commitments. Each micro-credential is a fully standalone upskilling opportunity, but learners also acquire university credit in the form of ECTS.

Minister O’Donovan announces funding boost for early career researchers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD, today announced a €14.6 million investment in 25 projects to support early career researchers under the SFI-IRC Pathway programme.

Minister O’Donovan said: “This Pathway funding will help facilitate a defined journey from post-doctoral research to independent researcher. Bridging this gap is a challenging but critical milestone, and the research selected for investment will address key challenges and opportunities, ranging from new therapies for Parkinsons to the development of sustainable supercapacitors.”

Recent Lab visit by UCD Engineering & Architecture to Sheffield University Diamond Centre

During the visit to the Multidisciplinary Engineering Education Department at the University of Sheffield, visitors explored various practical activities.

UCD Stormwater Runoff Research featured in Nicola Haines Team at this years bloom festival

Puneeta Sreenivas a PhD student working with Sarah Cotterill in the UCD School of Civil Engineering is evaluating a material called BlueLay for its potential use in Sustainable Drainage Systems.

Professor Niall English & four other UCD academics elected to the Royal Irish Academy

The Royal Irish Academy has welcomed five professors from University College Dublin to sign its members book, the highest academic honour in Ireland.

The cohort were among 28 new RIA members elected to the Academy in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the sciences, humanities, and social sciences, as well as to public service.

Prof Madeleine Lowery among UCD Researchers recognised in SFI Frontiers for the Future Awards

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD has announced awards valued at €34 million to support research across seven Higher Education Institutions. Seven UCD researchers have been successful in this round of the SFI Frontiers for the Future awards.

Speaking today, Minister O’Donovan said: “These awards support the development of world-class research in areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The projects and higher education institutions are focusing on will help deliver solutions to some of the major challenges facing society, including in healthcare, the environment and technology.”

UCD’s LaNua Medical Wins Big Ideas Award at Enterprise Ireland’s Start-Up Day 2024

LaNua Medical, an emerging University College Dublin (UCD) spin-out supported by NovaUCD, was declared the winner of the Big Ideas Competition at Enterprise Ireland’s Start-Up 2024 event in Dublin Castle.

Rewild Dublin?

A one-day conference exploring the role of urban rewilding in mitigating climate change impact and biodiversity loss, and improving resilience in our city.
Featuring walks, talks, conversations and commensality, the conference is free to attend and no booking is required (places on a ‘first come’ basis). Lunch is optional but needs to be booked - see below.

Wednesday 15th May 2024
NCAD, Harry Clarke Lecture Theatre, 100 Thomas Street, Dublin 8

The Winners of this years "RoboRugby" competition have been announced

Each year, the first year module EEEN10020 'Robotics Design Project' culminates in a fun "RoboRugby" competition, where autonomous Arduino robots face off in an elimination tournament of head-to-head action. The 2024 edition was held on Wednesday 17th April in the UCD Engineering & Materials Science Centre.

Congratulations to Professor Nick Holden and Associate Professor Nan Zhang

.A total of seven awards were presented by (opens in a new window)UCD President Professor Orla Feely who said the NovaUCD Innovation Awards were a “key annual event highlighting the University’s commitment to innovation and recognise the achievements of our research, innovation and entrepreneurial communities and I congratulate all who have received this year’s Awards.”

Irish National Doctoral Research Cohort on Floating Offshore Wind Dynamic Cables is formed

Sustainable Energy Authority Funded Project FlowDyn RDD/966 on Floating Offshore Wind Dynamic Cables brings together the largest group of researchers around this topic in Ireland and the first national doctoral research cohort. This timely project addresses robust and niche training around the current and future needs in renewable energy, with a focus on offshore wind and collaborates extensively with academic and industry within and outside Ireland in a strategic manner, to deliver maximum impact.

Minister Coveney Announces €7 million in Funding to UCD and Teagasc to Deliver New Entrepreneurship Programme to Create More Food and Agriculture Start-Ups and Jobs

Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has today announced €7 million in funding, over the next 6 years, to University College Dublin (UCD) to deliver a new food and agriculture innovation and entrepreneurship training programme, in partnership with Teagasc.

The focus of the Food and Agriculture Sustainable Technology Innovation Programme (FAST-IP) is to increase innovation knowledge within the food and agriculture sector leading to the creation of more high potential start-ups (HPSUs) and jobs in this sector of the economy.

UCD and Northeastern University extend and deepen long-standing partnership with five collaborative research projects

EPA announces €14.3M in new research funding

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced €14.3 million in funding across 33 new research projects. Designed to support innovations and the development and implementation of policies in Ireland, this funding will develop research capacity in strategically important areas.

Five UCD researchers have received funding under the 2023 call. These projects will help build transdisciplinary research capacity and talent in Ireland in key areas relating to sustainability transitions and societal transformations, with a priority on maximising the impact of research and innovation for the environment.

Arup Scholarship Awards

Multinational engineering consultancy, Arup, has awarded scholarships to three UCD Master of Engineering students. The winners are Lena O'Cochlain, Sarah Fenlon, ME Mechanical Engineering and Kinga Ksiazek, ME Energy Systems Engineering. Students were presented with their scholarship awards by John Leahy, Associate Director in Arup.

UCD names new Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Professor Aoife Ahern, Principal of the UCD College of Engineering and Architecture and Dean of Engineering has been appointed as the new Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at UCD. She will hold this new role concurrently with her role as College Principal.

Project promoting safe staffing in the healthcare system wins UCD Research Impact Competition

The overall winner and nine finalists were announced at today’s prize giving ceremony. A new Engaged Research impact prize was also awarded to the project ‘Correcting state narratives on the Magdalene Laundries’.
Today, UCD Interim Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact Professor Helen Roche announced the winner and runners-up of the 2023 UCD Research Impact Case Study Competition. The annual competition encourages researchers of all disciplines to write a case study that tells the story of how their work has made a positive difference on wider society.

VOICE Project Launches to Shape Tomorrow's Sustainability Through Art-Tech-Society Synergy

Matosinhos, Portugal, 16 January 2024 - As communities globally experience shifts in economic and social dynamics, with an increasing trend towards urbanisation, new challenges emerge. The VOICE project acknowledges the imperative to collectively generate, share, and transfer multifaceted knowledge. This knowledge is seen as a powerful tool to empower diverse stakeholders and communities to actively engage in addressing the complex issues associated with environmental and ecological sustainability. Recognising the transdisciplinary nature of these challenges, the VOICE consortium advocates for critical approaches to how technologies are designed, who benefits from them, and who contributes to their development. This understanding aligns with the goals outlined in the Green Deal, emphasising the need for a holistic approach that considers the diverse facets of human agency, including citizens, industries, and governments integral to environmental ecosystems.

Projects from Engineering and Architecture researchers recognised in UCD Research Impact Competition

Today, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact Professor Orla Feely announced the winner and runners-up of the 2022 UCD Research Impact Case Study Competition.
The annual competition encourages researchers of all disciplines to write a case study that tells the story of how their work has made a positive difference.