A Flavour of Sustainable Research @ UL
University of Limerick is leading out on research that is addressing many of the the world's grand challenges.Emboldened by the UN Sustainable Development Goals we are pushing the boundaries in research. These session give you the ideal opportunity to see what research is being undertaken, how it will impact our society and the importance it has for Limerick, Ireland and the world.
Presentations from Bernal Institute’s Research Pillar: Resilient and Sustainable Materials and followed by a panel discussion chaired by Professor Maurice Collins.
Innovations, insights and novel practices in youth crime prevention
This session outlined how an HEA-funded North-South project between University of Limerick (UL), Queens University Belfast (QUB), and Centre for Effective Studies (CES) has yielded new insights into the lives and experiences of justice-involved youth and enabled the testing of novel research and practice methods. Drawing on five projects as case examples of the work undertaken by the Stable Lives Safer Streets (SLSS) Research Hub (2021-2026), we will discuss the process of building evidence for policy and practice.
New Wars, New Challenges: Conflict Journalism in the 21st Century
In a time of extraordinary global conflict in Iran, Ukraine and Palestine, this special event brought together leading scholars and practitioners to discuss the evolving landscape of war reporting in the 21st century. A keynote talk featured renowned war correspondent Luke Hunt and Myanmar based correspondent Lorcan Lovett on the topic of ‘Conflicts past and present: New challenges in war reporting’.
This was followed by a panel discussion focusing on journalism and the war in Gaza, considering first person perspectives on covering the conflict, as well as the impact of technology, ethical considerations, and the role of media in shaping narratives around war.
More than skin deep
Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are devastating dermatological conditions that typically occur as a reaction to medication. They exist on the same continuum, with TEN being the more severe form. Given this severity, SJS/ TEN cases are treated as medical emergencies, with care prioritising the maintenance of life. This event explored the development of a bespoke quality-of-life (QoL) outcome measure for adults with SJS/ TEN.
Commercialising your Research
A practical insider’s view on how to bring university research to market. Alan Dunne from Enterprise Ireland outlined the full suite of funding supports available to help researchers progress their technologies toward commercial application — including feasibility grants, proof of concept funding, and commercialisation supports. While Declan Fox of AxisBIC, an experienced entrepreneur and early-stage investor, spoke on “What Makes a Technology Investable" with his insights helping researchers understand how investors evaluate opportunities and what strengthens the pathway to creating a successful spinout company.
From Cells to Society: how diet shapes health, performance and policy
Food, diet and nutrition sit at the heart of some of the most pressing health challenges facing society today, from obesity and chronic disease to sustainability, performance, and healthy ageing.
This seminar brought together leading researchers from the Food, Diet and Nutrition (FDN) Research Group at the Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, alongside keynote speaker Professor Donal O’Shea, to explore how nutrition science operates across scales: from molecular mechanisms to population health and policy. The session highlighted interdisciplinary research, real-world impact, and the growing national and international contribution of nutrition research at UL.
