Wednesday, 28 October 2020

A researcher at University of Limerick is to receive funding through Science Foundation Ireland’s Public Service Fellowship programme.

Professor Kevin Burke is one of 12 researchers to receive funding under the programme, announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris.

The SFI Public Service Fellowship programme offers academic researchers a unique opportunity to be seconded to Government Departments, agencies and the Library and Research Service of the Oireachtas, to work on specific collaborative research projects.

The fellowships awarded will foster innovation within the Public Sector by supporting the development and implementation of data-driven and evidence-based approaches.

The projects represent a total grant funding in excess of €700,000 awarded across five public service bodies and Departments. Professor Burke’s project – ‘Data analytics for signals of emerging food safety risks’ – will be hosted at the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

Announcing the award, Minister Harris, said: “I am delighted to support the SFI Public Service Fellowship initiative which will contribute to the Government’s objective of promoting a culture of innovation through collaboration, knowledge exchange and the development of data-driven and evidence-based solutions. The successful researchers will play a pivotal role in enhancing collaboration between the research community and Government for the benefit of society.”

Welcoming the announcement, Dr Ruth Freeman, Director Science for Society, Science Foundation Ireland said: “Congratulations to all of the Public Service Fellowship award recipients announced today during Public Service Innovation Week. The SFI Public Service Fellowship programme recognises the importance of connecting the Irish research community with public sector organisations to help inform new policy and improve the services that they deliver.

“The projects announced today will enhance collaboration of the research community with public bodies while also allowing researchers to advance their work and further develop their careers.”

The Fellowships will have a duration of between 3 and 12 months. Researchers from six higher education institutes; UL, University College Dublin, University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin, the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, and the National University of Ireland Galway, will undertake research projects working within the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the Houses of the Oireachtas Library and Research Service, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.