Two Trinity College Dublin researchers, Dr. John O’Donoghue and Cian McLoughlin, have been awarded funding through the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Discover Programme to lead projects aimed at enhancing public engagement with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The initiative seeks to raise awareness of STEM’s societal impact, promote dialogue, and encourage diversity in STEM fields.

Dr. O’Donoghue, RSC Education Coordinator at Trinity’s School of Chemistry, will spearhead the Current Chemistry Investigators (CCI) project in collaboration with ATU Sligo, Tyndall, Lifetime Lab, and UCC. This project will provide nationwide school workshops and public engagement activities focusing on energy science. Since 2022, the team has worked with teachers and students to deliver customized experiences in laboratory techniques and STEM career discussions, helping Transition Year (TY) students and Leaving Cert Chemistry students stay engaged with science. To date, the CCI team has reached over 1,500 students and aims to expand further with this new funding.

Dr. O’Donoghue remarked:

"Our activities have positively impacted students and researchers alike. So far, we've engaged with over 10,000 people and aim to surpass that number in this new project. We will also train more researchers and share our findings to inspire future initiatives."

Meanwhile, Cian McLoughlin, a Research Assistant at the School of Psychology and the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, will lead the Beginner’s Mind – Infant Cognition and Childlike Visions project, designed to explore the science of infant cognition and foster public engagement with neuroscience.

These awards were part of 38 projects announced by Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and Norma Foley, Minister for Education.

Dr. Ruth Freeman, Director of Science for Society at SFI, expressed her enthusiasm for the Discover Programme’s ongoing success:

"SFI is proud to support these 38 projects aimed at broadening participation and engagement in STEM. Expanding engagement among underrepresented groups is key to addressing societal challenges and shaping Ireland’s future. We look forward to witnessing the impact of these initiatives in the months ahead."