Impact Case Studies

The case studies below highlight some of the positive impact that research at UCD has on Ireland and the world.

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Ireland’s first satellite: transforming the national space landscape with the launch of EIRSAT-1

EIRSAT-1 arose from over a decade of fundamental research by UCD researchers and Irish companies. It led to the adoption of a space law in Ireland which ensured the international recognition of EIRSAT-1 by the UN and has had a transformational educational impact. It inspired the creation of a space poem and its award-winning PR campaign has reached 13 million people.

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Supporting cancer patients to quit smoking post diagnosis

Professor Fitzpatrick’s research impacts all patients with cancer who smoke. These patients (up to 20% of all diagnosed) are not currently offered sufficient support to quit, despite evidence of the benefits of quitting after a cancer diagnosis. The impacts of this research are national and international and it has been adopted in full by the HSE National Cancer Control Programme.

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Reducing chemical fertiliser use for improved sustainability in agriculture

Professor Ng’s research demonstrated that using an Irish-produced algal biostimulant can reduce chemical fertiliser use by 25% in Irish pastures without affecting grass quality or production. This innovative research contributes to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and promotes agricultural sustainability.

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Sound check: audio quality technologies for entertainment, communication, and accessibility

Audio quality profoundly influences daily life, enhancing entertainment and communication. Dr Hines has developed a suite of software tools for testing audio quality at scale. ViSQOL, AMBIQUAL and Go Listen which are now widely used by global tech giants like Google and Meta to improve audio quality.

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Investigating loyalist paramilitarism and cross-border bombings during the Troubles

Dr Burke’s research revealed that the British government had key intelligence on the loyalist bombing in Belturbet during the 1970s which was not shared with An Garda Síochána. This prompted the Taoiseach to request explanation and assistance from the UK government and Dr Burke has since assisted Gardaí investigating loyalist bombings.

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Anywhere, anytime, anybody: administering medication at home with microneedle injections

Needle phobia affects over 10% of the population globally, including 50-60% of children, hindering medical care. Dr Jufan Zhang’s team has developed microneedle devices which can be administered by anyone, anywhere, at any time. This research has led to grants, a spin-out company, collaborations, a patent, and industry recognition.

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Identifying a new severe inflammatory disorder

Behcet’s Disease is a rare auto-inflammatory condition which causes blood vessel inflammation and diverse symptoms but which lacks a standard diagnostic test. Professor Wilson’s research into this disease uncovered a genetic mutation in some patients, enabling a specific genetic test and targeted treatment. This breakthrough benefits patients, healthcare and clinical staff.

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Providing resources for young people seeking help online for mental health

Professor Coyle and Dr Pretorius’s research focuses on online help-seeking, a critical first step in enabling early intervention in mental health crises. This research has led to the development of evidence-based resources in collaboration with Irish mental health organisations Jigsaw, spunout and ReachOut Ireland. Their work has been endorsed by Minister of State Mary Butler.

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Using human biomonitoring to understand chemical exposures among the population

Chemicals form an intricate part of our daily lives. However, it is necessary to ensure the safety of people and the environment when using chemicals and to control environmental pollution. Dr Connolly conducts human biomonitoring studies, particularly on pesticides, providing essential data for evaluating and reducing health risks linked to chemical use.

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Power2Progress: building educational resilience in DEIS schools

Power2Progress has transformed the lives of 700 senior cycle students in Leinster DEIS schools. The provision of a dedicated laptop to each student, along with small-group tutorials, mentoring and career guidance has significantly impacted this cohort of students’ academic engagement, sense of self-efficacy, and progression to further and higher education.

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Understanding the behaviour of criminal gangs and influencing policymaking

Through interviews and a survey of over 2,600 community members, Dr Tiscornia’s team explored gang violence in Montevideo, Uruguay, revealing both violent and nonviolent gang behaviours. The findings gained national media attention and informed policymakers who have used the research as a basis to design new policies and to make cabinet members in Uruguay accountable.

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Right nurse, right place, right time: promoting safe staffing in the healthcare system

Professor Drennan and his team have implemented and tested safe nurse staffing frameworks in Ireland. These have now become national policy and are currently being implemented in every hospital in the country, improving patient care, reduving mortality, and increased job satisfaction.

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Correcting state narratives on the Magdalene Laundries

The research team worked closely with survivors of Donnybrook Magdalene Laundry to explore its operation and legacy. Contrary to state narratives, they found that financial records survived and that the laundry was profitable. Artefacts from the site have now been transferred to the National Museum of Ireland.

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Building cross-island capacity in theatre and dance

Dr Durrer and collaborators examined the extent, nature and impact of cross-island relationships in the performing arts. The project’s findings have since informed new policy developments, helping foster more sustainable livelihoods in performing arts

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Improving outcomes of critically-ill patients with acquired brain injury

This research in critically-ill acquired brain injury (ABI) patients provides high-level evidence for key aspects of ABI care, including CO₂ management and temperature. This has informed clinical guidelines, thereby improving outcomes for thousands of patients.

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OncoMark: avoiding unnecessary chemotherapy in breast cancer patients

To avoid unnecessary chemotherapy, Professor Gallagher and colleagues developed a new test that can reliably predict metastatic spread in patients with early-stage breast cancer. A large US firm is now bringing the test to the clinic, which will improve patient outcomes.

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PERITIA: understanding and fostering trust in experts and expertise

PERITIA sought to understand the pressing issue of trust in scientific expertise. The team communicated their findings widely, via publications, events, policy documents and toolkits. Together, these efforts are informing public debate and helping foster trust in experts.

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Redeploying particle physics detectors for health and medicine

Professor McNulty and colleagues have taken particle detectors developed at CERN and redeployed them in Irish hospitals as imaging devices and dosimeters. Their detectors are 100 million times faster and have better image quality than current technologies, and could improve cancer diagnosis and treatments.

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Safe Learning: improving girls' literacy and wellbeing in the Global South

Professor Devine led a team to evaluate an education intervention by Concern Worldwide to support children’s literacy, wellbeing and gender equality in rural Sierra Leone. Their findings have informed Concern's gender transformative work in education throughout the Global South.

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The 4-day week: making work healthier and more sustainable

Dr Kelly led the Irish component of the first coordinated international trial of work time reduction. The team has shared their findings widely, to the media and politicians around the world, helping direct society toward a more sustainable and healthy work culture.

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The Adult ADHD App: helping people understand and manage their ADHD

ADHD affects 2.5% of Ireland’s adult population, but there are only limited services available. In collaboration with the HSE and ADHD-Ireland, the research team developed and evaluated an evidence-based Adult ADHD App, with almost 20,000 downloads.

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Helping parents support youth mental health

Professor Hennessy and her team identified the information that parents need when supporting youth mental health. Through webinars and online materials they are increasing the mental health literacy of thousands of parents and carers.

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Decarbonising Ireland’s energy system

The multidisciplinary ESIPP research programme studied Ireland’s energy system as a whole, in order to work out how to decarbonise it. Their finding have been used extensively by government and industry, helping us move towards a more sustainable future.

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Rewetting, restoring and protecting Irish peatlands

Dr Florence Renou-Wilson's research into Ireland’s peatlands directly led to the Government creating its first National Peatlands Strategy. Through collaboration and outreach, she and her colleagues are ensuring that industry and the public benefit from their findings as well.

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A decade of violence: monitoring anti-LGBTQ hate crimes in Russia

Research by Dr Kondakov and colleagues has produced the most reliable data on anti-LGBTQ hate crimes in Russia, enabling future generations to know what it is like to live in conditions where violence against a particular group is normalised.

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Changing the guidelines for treating type 2 diabetes

The UCD DCRC has been at the forefront of research into type 2 diabetes. Their finding that double-digit intentional weight loss can be used to disrupt the disease has informed international treatment guidelines, improving patients’ lives.

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Empowering community-led green urban development

The Mapping Green Dublin research project brought communities together to ensure that urban development strategies meet the needs of local residents, facilitating local action and empowering communities to proactively engage with policymakers.

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Every drop counts – making a case for water conservation in Ireland

Dr Cotterill’s research explored how Ireland can conserve water. Through policy workshops and media appearances, Dr Cotterill is working to ensure her recommendations are translated into policy, so that we can save water and protect the environment.

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Fighting fatbergs – avoiding sewer blockages

Dr Curran’s research examined how we can better deal with fatbergs in sewers. Through media appearances, stand-up comedy, and appearances in comic books, he's helping to raise awareness and avoid harmful and expensive sewer blockages.

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From lab to bedside: bringing medical devices to the market quicker

“Microfluidic chips” can be a critical component of point-of-care diagnostic devices. Dr Zhang and his team’s research helps companies bring these chips to market quicker, benefitting the Irish biopharma industry and improving patient outcomes.

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HealthyAir: addressing the impacts of air pollution in Vietnam

The HealthyAir team installed a network of six stations to monitor and analyse pollution across Ho Chi Minh City. Based on data from the stations, the team created an informative app enabling residents to reduce exposure to harmful air pollutants.

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Helping Kids! – promoting inclusive peacebuilding

The Helping Kids! project has collected data with thousands of children to explore when and why children help people across social boundaries, raising awareness of the role that children can play in promoting peace.

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Inspiring a site of national conscience at the Sean McDermott Street Magdalene Laundry

The Open Heart City research project brought together a wide variety of stakeholders to inspire a new future for the former Magdalene Laundry on Sean McDermott Street.

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PINNACLE: empowering women in India and Pakistan to become education leaders

The PINNACLE project supports women teachers in India and Pakistan to build their leadership and educational capacity, benefitting their careers, their colleagues and their students.

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Helping Ireland transition to a renewables-led economy

The EMPowER project is conducting economic and technical modelling to inform Government targets and strategies around green energy, helping Ireland decarbonise electricity and consumer technology.

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Improving outcomes of critically ill patients with COVID-19

Clinical research by the ICC-CTN has had a profound impact on patients with COVID-19. Their outputs have saved thousands of lives and ICU bed days by identifying treatments that improve patient survival and recovery, and by informing treatment guidelines.

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Helping people cope during COVID-19

Dr Gaynor and colleagues translated their findings on the psychological impacts of COVID-19 into a free workbook and cognitive behavioural therapy group, helping thousands of people deal with the psychological challenges of the pandemic.

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Girls in STEM: changing attitudes and increasing diversity

Research into a new, creative approach to teaching has made STEM-related subjects more meaningful and accessible to 1,000 girls in participating disadvantaged schools. The expansion of the project will guarantee further impact on a national scale.

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Supporting climate action through tree planting

By developing an online platform to foster collective action on climate change, this project has promoted uptake of local climate actions among more than 800 participants, helping to protect the environment and promote biodiversity.

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Typhoidland: using the past to inform the future of typhoid control

Typhoidland challenges the myth that typhoid is a disease of the past. Drs Kirchhelle and Vanderslott have analysed past interventions to inform current efforts to control the disease, and have devised award-winning exhibitions and media engagement around the world.

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AI_PREMie: saving lives of mothers and babies using AI

Diagnosis of preeclampsia remains a serious challenge. So, Professor Maguire and her team have developed a risk stratification tool to enhance clinical decision making, hopefully enabling more accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment that will save lives.

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The Labour Hopscotch Framework: improving outcomes for mother and baby

This research found that the Labour Hopscotch Framework (a visual birthing tool to reduce rates of medical interventions) empowers women and their nominated birth partners, and improves health outcomes for women and newborns. It has now been rolled out nationally.

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#WeAreNotWaiting: tackling diabetes through patient-led research and open-source innovation

The OPEN research project is gathering evidence on the safety and effectiveness of open-source “artificial pancreases” software, helping overcome clinical and regulatory hurdles so that this software can be used to reduce the psychological burden of diabetes.

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SmartGrass: improving the sustainability of livestock farming

By investigating new types of multi-species grassland, the SmartGrass project has started a national shift in grassland farming. It has provided a new tool for farmers and policymakers, helping to maintain productivity while supporting biodiversity and protecting the environment.

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Promoting policies for sustainable mega-sport events

Professor Theodoraki’s research on the impact of mega-sport events has informed international sport policy, helping ensure that large sporting events have fewer negative impacts and are used for positive change in their host nations.

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Ending direct provision

Dr Thornton’s research has enhanced legal and policy analysis of the system of direct provision, informing public discourse on the human rights violations caused by direct provision, and helping to enable legal change to end it.

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‘Out of sight, out of mind’: changing public perceptions of the mental health crisis in Irish prisons

Dr Cox identified long-standing neglect of people with mental illness in Irish prisons. Co-creating a series of arts events, she helped change perceptions of prisoners’ right to psychiatric services and contributed to the wellbeing of prisoners and ex-offenders.

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Planning for sustainability through Environmental Sensitivity Mapping

Dr González has developed an online tool to support sustainable land-use planning in Ireland. It improves transparency in decision-making, helping protect the environment and reduce land-use conflicts.

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Protecting the built environment from the effects of wind

Dr Keenahan’s research pioneers the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics to study the effects of wind on the built environment, creating a safer, more comfortable built environment for everyone.

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Addressing the stigma faced by people living with obesity

Researchers at the UCD DCRC have been at the forefront of exploring the causes, consequences and treatment of obesity, helping to reduce the stigmatisation of obesity and increase the number of patients seeking treatment.

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Right technology right time: how the PEARs app is improving pregnancy outcomes

Professor McAuliffe led an app-based study to improve the diets and activity levels of women at risk of developing diabetes in pregnancy. The National Maternity Hospital's new app, based on Professor McAuliffe’s findings, will improve health outcomes for mother and baby.

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Protecting older adults against financial exploitation

Professor Muckley and his team have developed a new ‘alert model’, showing how global financial institutions can use AI to detect, predict and prevent cases of elder financial abuse. The model is now helping to protect millions of older people against financial crime.

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Reimagining justice and healing after sexual violence

Dr Keenan’s found that “restorative justice” could fill existing gaps in current justice service provision. Now, there is the possibility for victims and offenders in Ireland to experience this service first-hand.

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iSCAPE: improving the smart control of air pollution in Europe

Bringing together a wide range of stakeholders, the iSCAPE project advanced the control of air quality and carbon emissions in European cities.

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Promoting women in peace mediation across the island of Ireland

Dr Riley’s research shed light on the often overlooked experiences of women working in peace mediation. This work influenced mediation and peacebuilding networks, and raising awareness of the issue through a short film.

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Communicating the legacy of child abuse and helping victims heal

Dr Pine’s research has produced new knowledge of the scale and complexity of institutional child abuse in Ireland. She has contributed to a deeper societal understanding of the issue and helped survivors heal.

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EIRSAT-1: Ireland’s first satellite

EIRSAT-1 will fly three scientific experiments and an antenna deployment module, all developed in UCD. It will help Ireland take a leading role in international space missions and support the growth of the Irish space industry.

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Housing memories: the Dublin Tenements’ Museum

The Dublin Tenement Museum tells the story of a Georgian townhouse from a family home to its incarnation as a tenement house for the city’s working poor. Research by Dr Fitzgerald enriched the museum experience through narratives, audio exhibits, a theatre production, and a re-created tenement.

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Promoting Ireland’s rich cultural heritage with contemporary choral music

The research, composition and performance of choral music by Dr Earley and the Choral Scholars has created significant worldwide engagement with the poetry and music of Ireland. The ensemble’s recordings have enjoyed 16 million views on social media platforms.

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The weight of the issue: policy impact of childhood obesity surveillance in Ireland

Research on childhood obesity surveillance by the National Nutrition Surveillance Centre has helped policymakers build up a picture of the weight status of Irish children. The Centre's findings have been used by the Government to define targets for overweight and obesity levels.

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AmmoniaN2K: addressing atmospheric ammonia pollution

The AmmoniaN2K project has advanced Ireland’s understanding of atmospheric ammonia emissions and their impacts. This is influencing policy and benefitting the environment and human health across Ireland and Europe.

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No more needles: developing oral peptide treatments for diabetes

Professor Brayden’s team have developed a new nanoparticle that could allow diabetes patients to take insulin orally. This led to an award-winning international documentary film and could have profound benefits for patients.

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Democracy in the European Union – getting it right

Professor Barrett’s research has focused on democracy in the European Union – especially parliaments and referendums. His research has contributed to a change in the law improving EU citizens’ voting rights in Ireland, and has informed the Government’s approach to the Lisbon Treaty

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My World Survey: improving youth mental health in Ireland

My World Survey is the largest national survey on key risk and protective factors related to youth mental health. Its findings have contributed to national policy and have informed the development of community-based services across the country.

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Reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission in hospitals

Dr Nolan’s research looked at how to stop airborne droplets spreading across hospitals, protecting patients and clinicians from COVID-19.

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Playing Social Roulette: The impact of gambling on individuals and society in Ireland

Dr Fulton’s first national study of the social impact of harmful gambling in Ireland has helped to drive the conversation around this issue, which negatively impacts between 224,000 and 440,000 people.

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Funding social housing for low-income households after Ireland's economic crisis

Professor Norris' research has influenced social-housing policy in Ireland, and her findings have helped to shape strategies for putting these policies into practice.

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Protecting our brains with safer helmets

Dr Trotta and the HEADS group have advanced our understanding of head injury and how it can be prevented. Their findings have influenced European standards for helmets, ensuring future products provide better head protection.

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