Monday 27 April

Launch of Research Week 2026: Showcase of UL's Research Centres

ERB001 | 9.30-11am

Welcome to UL Research Week 2026. Vice President Research and Innovation Professor Kevin Ryan will officially open Research Week which celebrates the diverse range of research being undertaken across the institution, and the impact this research it is having on society. 

At the core of UL’s research are strong academic disciplines, through which collaboration and innovation have impact across society. UL’s research centres vary in scale and scope ranging from those externally-funded through national funding programmes to those research centres based internally within UL. All the centres bring together expertise from across a variety of disciplines to proactively collaborate and conduct their focused research. This showcase event raises awareness of UL’s research centre ecosystem. 

Building Capacity for Evidence Synthesis – a showcase of opportunities

ERB007 | 11am-12.30pm 

Students are expected to undertake some form of evidence synthesis in many programmes. However, researchers new to evidence synthesis can be uncertain about where to begin and how to build capacity for rigorous evidence synthesis. 

The Glucksman Library Research Team in partnership with the School of Allied Health and Department of Psychology will showcase opportunities to build capacity in evidence synthesis (Scoping, Integrative, Rapid, Systematic literature reviews).   

This series of presentations will outline supports designed to meet the challenges experienced by novice researchers and to build synthesis into the curricular and co-curricular activities. 

Understanding Sustainability through Innovative Accounting Research

ERB001 | 11am-1pm

Our economy must transition to a sustainable model if we are to effectively tackle the grand challenges presented by climate change, environmental degradation and rising inequality. Accounting has a profound influence on the way that we understand and conceptualise the responsibilities of individual businesses. The implementation of mechanisms to hold organisations accountable for their impacts on society and the environment requires innovative accounting practices and pedagogical approaches. 

This event combines insights from research, pedagogy and practice to show how we can facilitate sustainable change through accounting and instil a sense of responsibility for sustainable development.  

Opportunities and Benefits of undertaking teaching for postgraduate research

ERB001 | 2-4pm

Undertaking teaching as a postgraduate researcher (PGR) has the potential to realise the aligned research-culture elements of engagement, communication and dissemination. 

This event will debate the survey that explored PGRs’ experiences in undertaking teaching responsibilities and discuss how to heighten the awareness, advantages and acknowledgement of teaching experiences for PGRs. 

Assessing Irish electoral democracy

ERB001 | 4-5.30pm

Over the past two years, Ireland has had a general election, local elections (including a first ever mayoral election in Limerick), a European election, a presidential election and two referendums. 

To understand what these elections tell us about the state of democracy in Ireland, a National Election and Democracy Study (NEDS) was established. 

Some of the key findings focusing on understanding election turnout, vote choice, political polarisation and views on democracy will be discussed and debated at this event.

Among the panel members is Mary-Clare O’Sullivan, Head of Electoral Integrity and Research, An Coimisiún Toghcháin/ The Electoral Commission.