The UCD College of Social Sciences and Law is celebrating the success of its researchers following the 2025 Research Impact Awards, where Professor Orla Doyle was named overall winner for her research programme Preparing for Life: changing children’s lives through early parenting support .
The awards ceremony was hosted by Kate Robson Brown , UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact, and was attended by Niamh Moore-Cherry , Principal of the UCD College of Social Sciences and Law. The event recognised research that has delivered demonstrable benefits beyond academia, influencing policy, practice, communities, culture and public understanding.
Professor Doyle’s work, based in the UCD School of Economics and the UCD Geary Institute for Public Policy , represents one of Ireland’s longest-running randomised controlled trials. Over 18 years, the Preparing for Life programme has focused on early parenting support in disadvantaged communities, generating strong evidence on how early intervention can reduce inequality and improve children’s life outcomes. The research has informed policy and practice in Ireland and internationally, demonstrating the long-term societal value of sustained investment in early childhood support. 
The UCD College of Social Sciences and Law was also strongly represented among the award recipients and finalists, highlighting the breadth and impact of research across the College.
Dr Páraic Kerrigan and Dr Claire McGuinness of the UCD School of Information and Communication Studies received the Engaged Research Award for their project Strengthening Public Library Resistance Against Far-Right Agitation . Their work demonstrates how collaborative, community-engaged research can support democratic values and strengthen public institutions.
Additional College finalists recognised at the awards included:
-
Associate Professor Mark Coen, UCD Sutherland School of Law
Changing the law to protect privately held records relating to Ireland’s abusive institutions -
Associate Professor Stefan Müller, UCD School of Politics and International Relations
Irish Polling Indicator: turning numbers into insight for society and policymakers
Details of the next round of the Research Impact Case Study Competition will be announced in spring. Researchers across the UCD College of Social Sciences and Law are encouraged to explore the UCD Impact Toolkit and consider applying.