An image of Dr Sarah Guerin working in a lab
UL researcher and lecturer Dr Sarah Guerin at work in the lab. Below Dr Xiang Jing pictured at work in the Bernal Institute
Tuesday, 4 April 2023

Ground-breaking research taking place across a wide range of disciplines at University of Limerick will be the focus of this year’s Research Week, taking place from April 24-28.

The week-long event provides a platform for researchers to showcase their work to the wider community and encourages collaboration between academics, industry partners, and the public.

It features a range of engaging activities and events, including keynote speakers, panel discussions, poster sessions, and workshops.

This year's theme is ‘Wisdom For Action’, highlighting UL’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions to global challenges through innovative research and links with the revamped research strategy for the University to ensure that UL is a research-led, innovative, enterprising and inclusive institution that is committed to social good.

Research Week is an important event that allows UL researchers to showcase and highlight the range of research that is currently being undertaken at the University, the importance of this research and demonstrates how it can have a global impact at a time of unprecedented challenges.

The programme has been devised to demonstrate the growth in research excellence with impact and diversity across the research community and features a number of external speakers.

Drawing on expertise from across the university, researchers will present their work on topics such as urology, renewable energy, environmental conservation, health and wellbeing, politics, and sport.

Professor Norelee Kennedy, UL Vice President Research said: “Research Week is a fantastic opportunity for University of Limerick to celebrate the innovative and impactful research taking place on our campus. We are proud to have some of the world’s leading researchers working here, and this event showcases the breadth and depth of their work. We look forward to welcoming everyone with an interest in research to join us.”

Among the week-long highlights are:

  • Urological Research: from idea to patient outcome, Bernal Institute in partnership with Boston Scientific (Thursday, April 27 | 14.00 | Analog Devices Building) will see researchers, clinicians and industry leaders come together to discuss the latest innovations impacting patient outcomes in urology.
  • The theme of sustainability permeates the whole week with the final of the UL Student Sustainability Awards (Tuesday, April 25 | 13.00 | Analog Devices Building) showcasing the work of the five finalists who have undertaken research projects in sustainability and the green economy.
  • Catch a glimpse of the work that SMARTLAB is doing in leading the energy transition in Limerick city. Using a Living Lab approach, the project is exploring barriers and opportunities around adopting a Smart Readiness Indicator for Ireland’s buildings. You can also hear about how you can get involved. SMARTLAB (Wednesday, April 26 | 11.00 | UL City Campus, Limerick City).
  • The use of technology in health has been mixed. UL’s Health Research Institute will explore the current state of digital health research and practice. A panel of renowned national and international experts from academia and industry will discuss the use of digital technologies across physical and mental health domains and answer many of the questions posed. Health Research Institute (HRI) Digital Health – Present and Promise (Wednesday, April 26 | 09.00 | Engineering Research Building).
  • Research takes many forms, and this will be debated as part of Performance as Research in the Traditional Arts (Thu 27 April | 14.00 | Foundation Building) which will feature contributions from members of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance whose research interests are primarily expressed through performance.

Research Week is FREE and open to all and returns to a fully in-person event this year following two years of a hybrid format.

Details of the full research week programme of events and for details on how to register are available at www.ul.ie/research/researchweek.