January

Legal experts from around the world are to take part in a conference at University of Galway which aims to explore the options for conducting trials for terrorism and organised crime in Ireland. The two-day event - entitled Replacing the Offences Against the State Acts: The challenge of jury trials for terrorism and organised crime - will hear from legal academics and leading barristers from Ireland, the US, Australia and the UK. It is being hosted by University of Galway’s School of Law in association with Birmingham Law School on February 16th and 17th. Professor Donncha O’Connell, who was member of the Independent Review Group on the Offences Against the State Acts chaired by retired Court of Appeal Judge Michael Peart, which reported in June 2023, said: “Following on from the work of the Review Group – which published a majority and minority report but was unanimous in recommending repeal and replacement of the Offences Against the State Acts – this conference aims to explore the options open to Ireland when conducting trials for terrorism and organised crime, bearing in mind the priority attached to the right to trial by jury under the Irish Constitution.  “We hope to draw on the comparative expertise of academics and practitioners and relevant international standards in considering the likely shape of legislation to replace the Offences Against the State Acts at some stage in the future.” The conference will have a keynote address from Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin MRIA KC, Regents Professor and Robina Chair in Law, Public Policy & Society at the University of Minnesota and Professor of Law at Queen’s University Belfast.  Professor Ní Aoláin, who has just completed her mandate as UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counter-Terrorism, is a member of the International Commission of Jurists and was made an honorary King’s Counsel in recognition of her outstanding work. The conference will also hear from leading criminal barristers in Ireland and Scotland - Brendan Grehan SC, Alice Harrison BL and Ronnie Renucci KC - in a session focused on practitioner perspectives chaired by Supreme Court judge, Ms Justice Iseult O’Malley.  Mr Grehan - a graduate of University of Galway - has defended and prosecuted in the Special Criminal Court, most recently acting as defence counsel for Gerard Hutch who was acquitted of murder following the notorious Regency Hotel gun attack in 2016.  Ends

Professor Fidelma Dunne appointed Interim Director and John Kilmartin as Adjunct Professor   World-leading research academic Professor Fidelma Dunne has been appointed Interim Director of the Institute for Clinical Trials at University of Galway. Professor Dunne has an extensive background in clinical trial management and is ranked number 1 in Ireland and number 6 in the world for her research into gestational diabetes. The University has also announced John Kilmartin, former Vice-President of Regulatory Affairs at Medtronic and an independent medtech regulatory expert, joins the Institute for Clinical Trials as Adjunct Professor.  Mr Kilmartin has more than 30 years’ experience in the medtech industry, with a particular focus on the emerging regulatory and clinical frameworks in Europe. Professor Martin O’Donnell, Dean of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and Consultant Geriatrician at Saolta University Health Care Group, said: “We are honoured to have both Professor Fidelma Dunne and Mr John Kilmartin join the Institute for Clinical Trials. Their combined expertise in clinical trials, medical research and regulatory affairs will significantly contribute to our mission of advancing impactful clinical research. They will help to advance our clinical research goals and will make meaningful contributions to healthcare outcomes.” Professor Dunne said: “Clinical trials in new medicines and devices are vital to improving the health of people living in Ireland and worldwide. Improving health also has economic and societal benefits. Engaging in clinical trials allows patients in Ireland to receive new medicines and devices early. We have a track record of designing and delivering impactful clinical trials at University of Galway and I am delighted to lead the Institute for Clinical Trials which will have a pivotal role in further enhancing the clinical research landscape in Ireland.” Mr Kilmartin said: “The medtech industry is of huge importance to Ireland and Europe for the benefit of our patients, health systems and society. I believe that the Institute for Clinical Trials at University of Galway can play a key role in helping to support innovation in medtech by strategically targeting barriers within the Irish ecosystem. It aims to strengthen and further promote growth in the medtech sector, expand treatment options for patients and ultimately contribute to the advancement of healthcare on a broader scale." Bios Professor Fidelma Dunne is the immediate past President of the International Association Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Groups and President of the Irish Endocrine Society (2021-2024). Professor Dunne has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing research and improving outcomes in the critical area of diabetes and pregnancy.  Her research interests, focused on diabetes and pregnancy, have resulted in an impressive portfolio of over 240 peer-reviewed publications, 12,000 citations, and significant grant funding.  Professor Dunne was honoured with the Jorgen Pedersen award in 2021 for her exceptional work in Diabetes in Pregnancy. She is the Principal Investigator of the EMERGE randomised controlled trial, funded by the Health Research Board, with ground-breaking results published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) in October 2023 which showed that the drug metformin provided a safe and effective way to treat gestational diabetes. John Kilmartin has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the medtech industry, having led global regulatory teams in the development and implementation of clinical and regulatory strategies for various medical devices and drug/device combination products. He is actively involved with various medtech industry associations, including MedTech Europe and the Irish MedTech Association (IMA), where he served as the Chair of the IMA Regulatory Steering Committee for a number of years.  Mr Kilmartin has a strong focus on the evolving regulatory and clinical frameworks around the world, having collaborated with regulatory agencies such as FDA, European Notified Bodies, Competent authorities and other international regulators. Mr Kilmartin’s areas of interest and focus include the development of the next generation of Regulatory and Clinical Affairs professionals, creating co-operative links between third-level institutions, the medtech industry, regulatory authorities, and government agencies to ensure that the medtech ecosystem continues to thrive in Ireland and in Europe.  Ends

University of Galway’s 2024 Postgraduate Open Day will focus on opportunities to improve employability and increase earning potential with a comprehensive insight of study options on offer. The Postgraduate Open Day will take place on Tuesday February 6, 2024 from 12pm-3pm in the Bailey Allen Hall. The event will showcase the suite of full-time and part-time postgraduate programmes available at the University, including taught and research masters, as well as doctoral research options.  Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the latest employability and industry trends, scholarship and funding opportunities, as well as tips on making a successful application. As part of University of Galway’s strategic focus on recognising excellence and success, all EU postgraduate students with a first class honours in their undergraduate degree are eligible to apply for a €1,500 scholarship towards their taught Masters at the University in 2024. Sarah Geraghty, Director of Student Recruitment and Outreach at University of Galway, said: “A postgraduate qualification is an investment in your career. We especially encourage visitors to explore the opportunities to improve their employability by expanding their knowledge, skills and expertise in their field. Insights from industry continuously demonstrate the significant financial value of a postgraduate qualification in the starting salary after graduation, and importantly it’s a benefit that can be realised right throughout the lifetime of a career.” University of Galway introduces new innovative postgraduate programmes annually, many of which are unique offerings and designed to meet industry needs and market-demand.  Recently announced new programmes include MSc Fintech (Economics and Financial Technology) welcoming applications from graduates of business, economics and finance degrees, or computer science and engineering graduates with a background in economics, and a relaunch of the MSc (Management and Sustainability) designed to shape future business leaders who will drive positive change, contribute to responsible business practices, and make a lasting impact on the world.  The School of Law has launched a new LLM in Criminology, Criminal Justice and Human Rights leading to possibilities in national, regional and international criminal justice agencies, NGOs, inter-governmental organisations and courts. The upcoming event is also an opportunity to explore the expanding range of flexible, part-time and online learning programmes designed for learners who are returning to study, pivoting their career to a new industry to upskilling in their current job. Bookings are now open for the event and visitors and book their place at https://universityofgalway.ie/choose-postgrad/ Ends

Díreofar ar dheiseanna chun infhostaitheacht a fheabhsú agus a chuirfidh ar chumas an fhostaí tuilleadh airgid a dhéanamh ag Lá Oscailte Iarchéime 2024 Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, áit a mbeidh léargas cuimsitheach ar na roghanna staidéir atá á dtairiscint. Beidh an Lá Oscailte Iarchéime ar siúl i Halla Bailey Allen Dé Máirt, an 6 Feabhra 2024 ó 12pm-3pm. Beidh eolas le fáil faoi na cláir iarchéime lánaimseartha agus pháirtaimseartha atá á dtairiscint ag an Ollscoil, lena n-áirítear máistreachtaí múinte agus taighde, chomh maith le roghanna taighde dochtúireachta. Tabharfar deis do chuairteoirí iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar na treochtaí fostaíochta agus tionscail is déanaí, ar dheiseanna scoláireachta agus maoinithe, chomh maith le comhairle a fháil faoin gcaoi iarratas rathúil a dhéanamh. Mar chuid d’fhócas straitéiseach Ollscoil na Gaillimhe maidir le haitheantas a thabhairt don tsárfheidhmíocht agus do rathúlacht, tá gach mac léinn iarchéime de chuid an AE a bhfuil céadonóracha bainte amach aige nó aici ina f(h)ochéim i dteideal cur isteach ar scoláireacht €1,500 i dtreo cúrsa Máistreachta múinte san Ollscoil in 2024. Bhí an méid seo le rá ag Sarah Geraghty, Stiúrthóir Earcaíochta Mac Léinn agus For-rochtana in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: “Is infheistíocht i do ghairm bheatha í cáilíocht iarchéime. Molaimid do chuairteoirí iad féin a chur ar an eolas faoi na deiseanna atá ann iad féin a dhéanamh níos infhostaithe trí chur lena gcuid scileanna agus saineolais ina réimse oibre féin. Tagann fianaise ón saol oibre go leanúnach gurbh fhiú go mór don fhostaí cáilíocht iarchéime a bheith aige nó aici nuair atá an tuarastal tosaigh á ríomh i ndiaidh na céime, agus leantar leis an mbuntáiste sin i rith shaol gairmiúil an fhostaí.” Cuireann Ollscoil na Gaillimhe tús le cláir iarchéime nuálaíocha gach bliain, ar cláir foghlama uathúla go leor acu agus iad deartha go sainiúil chun freastal ar riachtanais an ionaid oibre agus ar a bhfuil á éileamh ag an margadh. I measc na gclár nua atá fógartha le déanaí tá an MSc Teicneolaíocht Airgeadais (Eacnamaíocht agus Teicneolaíocht Airgeadais) a bheadh feiliúnach dóibh siúd a bhfuil céim acu i ngnó, eacnamaíocht nó airgeadas, nó céimithe ríomheolaíochta nó innealtóireachta a bhfuil cúlra san eacnamaíocht acu, agus tá an MSc (Bainistíocht agus Inbhuanaitheacht) seolta an athuair, ar clár é a bhfuil sé d’aidhm aige ceannairí gnó a sholáthar a spreagfaidh athruithe chun feabhais, a chuirfidh le cleachtais ghnó fhreagracha agus a mbeidh tionchar buan acu ar an domhan. Tá LLM nua seolta ag Scoil an Dlí sa Choireolaíocht, sa Cheartas Coiriúil agus i gCearta an Duine as a dtiocfaidh féidearthachtaí i ngníomhaireachtaí ceartais choiriúil ag an leibhéal náisiúnta, réigiúnach agus idirnáisiúnta, chomh maith le heagraíochtaí neamhrialtasacha, eagraíochtaí idir-rialtasacha agus sna cúirteanna dlí. Deis atá sa lá oscailte seo chomh maith tuilleadh a fhoghlaim faoin raon clár solúbtha, páirtaimseartha agus ar líne a dearadh d’fhoghlaimeoirí atá ag filleadh ar an staidéar nó ag féachaint le hathrú gairme nó le scileanna breise a shealbhú a rachaidh chun tairbhe leo ina bpost reatha. Is féidir leo siúd ar spéis leo freastal ar an imeacht seo áirithint a dhéanamh anois ag https://universityofgalway.ie/choose-postgrad/ Críoch

One of the world’s foremost experts on genocide, Professor William Schabas, will deliver a public lecture at the University on how the international legal system addresses racism and racial discrimination. The lecture will be given in the Aula Maxima, in the Quadrangle, on Wednesday January 31, at 4pm. Professor Schabas is the former director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at University of Galway. He is the author of numerous works on human rights, international crimes and genocide and he is currently based at Middlesex University.  Professor Schabas has appeared before the International Court of Justice and was formerly appointed to a UN commission of inquiry on Gaza. Organised by the Irish Centre for Human Rights in the School of Law, the lecture will see Professor Schabas discuss how the international legal system addresses racism and racial discrimination, drawing on his new book The International Legal Order’s Colour Line.   Professor Shane Darcy, Deputy Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights, said: “We are delighted to host this lecture at a crucial time for the protection of human rights. With atrocities continuing in Gaza, Ukraine and elsewhere, and with international law itself in jeopardy, Professor Schabas’ insights on the strengths and weakness of the international legal system in this domain will prove invaluable.” Professor William Schabas’ new book The International Legal Order's Colour Line (Oxford University Press, 2023) narrates how prior to the 20th century, international law was predominantly written by and for the “civilised nations” of the white Global North. It justified doctrines of racial inequality and effectively drew a colour line that excluded citizens of the Global South and persons of African descent from participating in international law-making while subjecting them to colonialism and the slave trade. The book charts the development of regulation on racism and racial discrimination at the international level, principally within the UN. Most notably, it outlines how these themes gained traction once the Global South gained more participation in international law-making after the First World War. It challenges the narrative that human rights are a creation of the Global North by focussing on the decisive contributions that countries of the Global South and people of colour made to anchor anti-racism in international law. The lecture is open to the public. Ends

University of Galway has heralded the appointment of Professor Michael O’Flaherty as Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe.   Professor O’Flaherty is a renowned human rights expert and previously held the position of Established Professor of Human Rights Law and Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the University.    He has had a long and distinguished career with the United Nations spanning 18 years, including setting up human rights field operations in conflict-affected states such as Sierra Leone and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as serving as a member of the UN Human Rights Committee.   Professor O’Flaherty was also Chief Commissioner the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, an institution set up under the auspices of the Good Friday Agreement. Most recently, he served as Director of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency from 2015-2023.   Originally from Galway, he was elected to the position of Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe by vote in the Council’s Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg.   President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, paid tribute to Professor O’Flaherty following the announcement of his appointment: “Professor O’Flaherty has an internationally respected reputation for dedication to human rights and leadership in the field both on the island of Ireland but also in Europe and around the world. On behalf of University of Galway, I wish to extend congratulations. The ideals and principles which Professor O’Flaherty has pursued and promoted throughout his career are under considerable strain in Europe and it is these qualities that will be at the core of his work in the coming years.”   Professor Siobhán Mullally, Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the University, said: “On behalf of the Irish Centre for Human Rights, I am delighted to congratulate Professor Michael O’Flaherty on his election as Council of Europe Commissioner of Human Rights.  Michael is an outstanding human rights lawyer and advocate, and distinguished academic. As the former Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights, he helped to build the Centre’s global reputation for human rights research, teaching and international engagement. His election comes at a challenging time for human rights protection in Europe and globally, as core values of democracy, equality and solidarity are under threat. Michael has prioritised the defence of democracy, protection of the rights of minorities, and vindication of the rights of the Ukrainian people. We look forward to supporting this critical and urgent work and wish him every success.”    Professor O’Flaherty will take up the position of Commissioner on 1 April 2024 for a six year term.   The Council of Europe was founded in 1949 as an international organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law across Europe. The Council comprises 46 member states, including Ireland as a founding member.   The Commissioner for Human Rights was established by the Council of Europe in 1999 with a mandate to promote awareness of and respect for human rights across the 46 members states.   Ends

Academics at the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) and University of Galway have played a key role on the first comprehensive report on our scientific understanding of climate change and its effects on Ireland. Ireland’s Climate Change Assessment Report (ICCA) was officially launched by Minister for the Environment, Communications, Climate and Transport Eamon Ryan T.D. at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin. The objective of the ICCA Report is to deliver a comprehensive report on our understanding of climate change; the option to respond to the challenges it poses; to identify opportunities that may arise from the planned transition to a climate neutral, biodiversity-rich, environmentally sustainable and climate resilient economy and society. ICHEC's Dr Paul Nolan, alongside Dr Liam Heaphy, and Dr Enda O'Brien worked in partnership with Professor Conor Murphy and Dr Tara Quinn of Maynooth University to research existing science and write an extended report on adaptation research and policy in Ireland. Dr Liam Heaphy, University of Galway ICHEC, said: “This has been an immense undertaking, which will serve as a reference point on climate change for Ireland, helping people to surmise the present state-of-the-art in research and policy, identify knowledge and policy gaps, and coordinate their own work with those of others.” Dr Paul Nolan, University of Galway ICHEC, said: "The assessment report delivers a first comprehensive Ireland-focused, state of scientific knowledge report on our understanding of climate change, the options to respond to the challenges it poses, and the opportunities that may arise from the planned transition to a climate neutral and climate resilient economy and society.” Also contributing to the ICCA Report from University of Galway were Dr Eugene Farrell and Dr Nessa Cronin, School of Geography, Archaeology, and Irish Studies, Dr Jurgita Ovadnevaite, Ryan Institute, Kirsten Fossum, Damien Martin, ad Dr James McGrath, School of Natural Sciences, and Clare Noone, School of Physics. Dr Farrell provided knowledge on research and policy gaps in Ireland, cross-cutting issues framing adaptation in Ireland, and practical steps required to build community involvement and participation to deliver a more climate resilient Ireland. Dr Cronin's contribution argues that culture and Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences research can help bridge the policy gap between climate ambition and climate action. She outlines how culture should be regarded as the 4th pillar of sustainability and as a core national infrastructure in accelerating transformational eco-social change. The report was funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with the research undertaken by academics at a number of institutions - University of Galway ICHEC, Maynooth University, University College Cork, Dublin City University and Trinity College Dublin. The report consists of four volumes the underlying science; climate neutrality and decarbonisation; climate resilience and adaptation; and just transitions and transformative change. Volume 3 – Being Prepared for Ireland’s Future Climate – runs to 10 chapters covering biodiversity, agriculture, forestry, land-use, coastal and inland water, settlements, heritage, critical infrastructure, health, business, and tourism. Key findings from the ICCA Report found that Ireland's climate is changing with impacts being felt both in Ireland and elsewhere and it will be the reality until excessive greenhouse gases cease and a new climate equilibrium is achieved. The report also states that although early concerted action can limit global temperatures by the end of the century, sea levels will continue to rise beyond 2100. The report also found how climate impacts interact with and intensify other environmental impacts from human activity, such as we see in our biodiversity crisis. A synthesis report and the volumes from the ICCA Report are available from the EPA's website. Ends

An international research team led by University of Galway is working in partnership with stakeholders in Vietnam to enable marginalised urban populations to be able to access healthier, more affordable and more sustainable food and diets. The EcoFoodSystems project is conducting research on city regional dietary transitions with food systems organisations and institutions in the south-east Asian country. Vietnam has a population of 99 million – half of whom now live in urban areas, including 8 million in Hanoi. It is estimated that by 2050 three quarters of the country’s population will be living in urban areas. The EU and UN funded project is specifically focused on working with partners to help improve the health of people and communities that are nutritionally marginalised as a result of their diets. EcoFoodSystems is led by Professor Charles Spillane, Director of the Ryan Institute at University of Galway, in partnership with Alliance Bioversity - The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in Vietnam and Cali, Colombia; Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands and the international NGO Rikolto in Vietnam. Professor Charles Spillane, Director of the Ryan Institute, University of Galway, said: “Vietnam has made impressive strides in food security and nutrition over the past decades. “Healthy diets lead to healthy people. But there is a challenge for all organisations in the Hanoi city region’s food system to ensure that all people, young and old, rich and poor, have access to healthy diets that are affordable, where the foods within the diet are produced and supplied with the lowest environmental impact.” “Our project aims to conduct research with partner organisations to better navigate this dietary transition to ensure that current and future generations are healthy.” EcoFoodSyetsms is funded by the European Union and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The research group held a multi-stakeholder consultation workshop in Hanoi, which brought together key representatives and experts from over 50 organisations. The event was opened by Dr Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, Director General, International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Vietnam who highlighted the importance of taking a foods systems approach across ministries, sectors and stakeholders. The research priorities identified at the EcoFoodSystems workshop will help to inform sustainable food systems transformations and dietary transitions in Vietnam. Mark Lundy, Co-Investigator, EcoFoodSystems project and Leader of Global Food Environments & Behaviour at the Alliance Bioversity-CIAT, said: “The Alliance of Bioversity-CIAT is excited to participate in the EcoFoodSystems project given its focus on linking sustainable, agro-ecological production systems with diverse and healthy diets for consumers. “We hope to help identify clear market signals from consumers to incentivise farmer adoption of clean production practices, for traders to improve traceability of products and retailers to ensure good access and affordability for all consumers.” Dam Trong Tuan, EcoFoodSystems partner Rikolto - Vietnam, said: “Change on a global, national and city-regional scale demands that urban food markets become more inclusive and offer value to all actors in the food chain.” “We empower farmer groups to become solid business partners and implement future-proof, sustainable practices within our urban food systems.” The EcoFoodSystem project’s activities are aligned with Vietnam’s national policies and the National Action Plan on Food System Transformation, which aims for Transparency, Responsibility, and Sustainability by 2030. Ends

University of Galway joins ÉireComposites and ORPC Ireland for successful analysis of renewable energy technology for rivers and tides University of Galway has announced successful testing of a next generation marine hydrokinetic turbine foil for renewable energy. The technology was designed by US-headquartered global leader in marine energy ORPC Ireland and fabricated by ÉireComposites, based Inverin, Co Galway.  The testing programme is part of the €3.9 million European Commission’s Horizon 2020-funded CRIMSON project and involved 1.3 million fatigue cycles on the turbine foil – the highest number ever reported on a full-scale marine energy component in dry laboratory conditions. The tests were led by the Sustainable and Resilient Structures Research Group at University of Galway, which is part of the Enterprise Ireland-supported technology centre Construct Innovate and the University’s Ryan Institute. The 5m long foil is made from high-performance, carbon fibre reinforced polymer. It is shaped similarly to an airplane wing. When placed perpendicular to river or tidal currents, the foils spin under that force and the technology sends clean, renewable energy via an underwater generator. Three of these foils combine in each of two turbines in the 80kW RivGen marine hydrokinetic energy device. The technology underwent intense stress testing in the University’s Large Structures Testing Laboratory to demonstrate its ability to withstand operational loads over its design lifetime.  Prior to completing the testing campaign, a destructive static test was performed on the foil in order to demonstrate its structural integrity at loads well in excess of what is expected during operation in the marine environment.  Dr William Finnegan, Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator of CRIMSON at the University of Galway, said: “The findings from this full-scale structural testing programme help to de-risk ORPC’s technology and give insights that can be used for structural health monitoring and inform the next generation of testing standards. The combination of such high-level design and manufacturing with University of Galway’s state-of-the-art testing will improve the reliability of river and tidal energy devices as they move closer to commercial viability.” Tomás Flanagan, Chief Executive of ÉireComposites, said: “ÉireComposites is delighted that the turbine foils we manufactured have performed so well during testing. The foils have a complex helical shape and are challenging to manufacture; they are a credit to the engineers and technicians who worked on the project. We’re delighted to see our work with ORPC Ireland, University of Galway, and the other partners coming to fruition and we’re excited about the commercial potential for marine hydrokinetic devices in delivering clean, sustainable energy. At a time when global interest is focused on achieving a net-zero emission future, it is great to be making advances in the technology that supports this global shift.” Patrick Cronin, Director of European Operations at ORPC Ireland said: “ORPC are bringing clean, predictable, emission-free tidal and river energy to markets around the globe, and this important research is helping to maximise design efficiency and minimise power system costs as global demand for underwater renewable power systems continues to be strong. We are delighted to collaborate with our Irish research partners, University of Galway and ÉireComposites, to move our next-generation power systems to market, and we look forward to the next stage of the project.” The test foil was designed by the team at ORPC Ireland and manufactured from a high-performance carbon fibre reinforced polymer by ÉireComposites, which are leading the CRIMSON Project, and incorporates recycled carbon-fibre material from Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials, Germany. The next phase of the project will trial the complete turbine in operational conditions at Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche’s large towing tank in Rome, Italy.  Ends

Researchers at University of Galway have marked one year of a project designed to tackle healthcare myths and help the public to quickly and easily check the reliability of popular health claims through the online resource iHealthFacts.ie.  Using scientific evidence, such as trusted health sources and peer-reviewed studies, the research team analyses information in order to support or refute a healthcare claim. Over the last year, more than 4,500 users have visited iHealthFacts.ie; more than 150 questions have been submitted; and the researchers have assessed, answered or are analysing 60 claims about things that can improve our health. Some of the questions analysed include:  Do collagen supplements make a difference in skin ageing? Does working long hours help to prevent dementia? Do drinks containing aspartame increase the risk of cancer in the future? Does taking omega 3 or omega 6 fatty acids - either as supplements or through diet - improve brain health or cognitive function?  Do UV lamps in nail bars cause skin cancer? Does lavender improve sleep/does listening to radio, music or podcasts make a difference to sleep? iHealthFacts.ie is funded by the Health Research Board and the Health Service Executive and supported by University of Galway. Its aim is to help people to think critically about health claims and make well-informed choices.   Professor Declan Devane, Professor of Health Research Methodology, University of Galway and Principal Investigator with iHealthFacts.ie, said: “Some people find themselves overwhelmed with information, particularly information about what they can do to improve or protect their health. Increasingly, health information spreads faster and further thanks to the web, social media, instant messaging, television and radio, but unfortunately much of it is unreliable. This can lead to poorly informed choices, under- or overuse of health interventions, or treatments, and avoidable waste and human suffering. This is what we aim to tackle.” Dr Philip Crowley, GP and National Director of Strategy and Research with the HSE, said: “Providing trusted health information and advice is one of the HSE’s most important duties. People trust HSE.ie as an online source of health advice, and our healthcare teams are highly trusted by patients to share advice and information. Our work with iHealthFacts.ie aims to explore ways to tackle health misinformation circulating on social media, and to reinforce the value of getting health advice that is evidence-based, from a safe source.” Dr Paula Byrne, lead researcher with iHealthFacts.ie and post-doctoral researcher with Evidence Synthesis Ireland and Cochrane Ireland, said: “We are delighted with the level of interest from the public in iHealthFacts. Thousands of people have accessed our website and read our reviews. We hope this information helps people make informed health decisions and become more skilled in distinguishing reliable health information from that which is unreliable." Deirdre Mac Loughlin, Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) representative on iHealthFacts, said: “PPI, in partnership with iHealthFacts, facilitates informed health decisions through the wealth of lived experience it brings, thus, ensuring a high standard of relevance, rigour, and accountability. This aspect is particularly vital in the realm of publicly funded research, ensuring that the outcomes are not only scientifically robust, but also resonate with and are accountable to the community it serves." Initially set up to debunk misinformation surrounding COVID-19, the research and engagement project was relaunched in late 2022 with further suppot from the HSE and HRB to focus on more general health information and to answer some of the myths around health claims scientifically. The public can submit a question at https://ihealthfacts.ie/ and read through the findings of the research into each health question. People are urged to consider the questions and all of the analysis in full in order to get the best information in relation to healthcare claims and questions which have been analysed.  Some findings of a sample of questions analysed so far: Do UV lamps in nail bars cause skin cancer? We found very few studies about skin cancer and UV lamps in nail bars.   Some studies reported a link between UV lamps and skin cancer, but others found that there was no link. All the studies we found were either of low quality or not based on humans, so we can’t be sure of their findings or how relevant they are to the general public.  Does lavender improve sleep/does listening to radio, music or podcasts make a difference to sleep? Claims have been made that lavender oil, made from the flowers of the lavender plant, is calming and may help people sleep better.  One good quality study suggests that lavender may help women with insomnia fall asleep quicker and stay asleep. However, this study only had a small number of people in it.  Three other studies have observed improvements in sleep in people using lavender, but we are less certain of the findings of these studies. Does cycling damage men’s genitals?  Research on the relationship between cycling and circulation or nerve damage to men’s genitals is very limited.  One study found some evidence to suggest a possible link between cycling and erectile dysfunction (caused by poor circulation or nerve damage) when age and some diseases were taken into consideration. The majority of studies in this area are of low quality, so we can’t be sure of this finding.   Ends

A new research project being pioneered by University of Galway is to develop solutions to ensure the seamless delivery of regular and elective patient care in a health emergency such as a pandemic. The RAPIDE research project (Regular and Unplanned Care Adaptive Dashboard for Cross-border Emergencies) is being undertaken following the award of a €6 million grant through Horizon Europe and involves a consortium of 13 partners from Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy, Slovenia, Malta and Estonia.  One of the aims of the research project is to set new standards for fostering resilience and preparedness for future health emergencies, including how digital technologies can offer solutions for care in the home and outside of hospitals and clinics. Researchers will also measure the impact of delayed or unmet care during a health emergency such as a pandemic. The University of Galway team is led by Professor Máire Connolly, Established Professor of Global and Environmental Public Health at the School of Health Sciences with Professor Jim Duggan, Professor of Computer Science at the School of Computer Science. Professor Connolly said: “Our research and what we learn from the RAPIDE project will contribute to national preparedness in Ireland and it will also have an impact within the EU and at a global level.” RAPIDE’s multidisciplinary team of experts in pandemic preparedness, public health, primary care, community care, hospital planning, and computer science will analyse solutions to overcome the challenges of overwhelming patient numbers during a pandemic or health emergency. The research will look back on the COVID-19 pandemic to measure the impact of delayed or unmet care for conditions such as strokes, heart attacks, diabetes and cancer treatment. It will also assess the delivery of regular care across hospital, primary care and home-based settings.  Professor Connolly said: "During the COVID-19 pandemic regular healthcare across Europe was disrupted with long-term consequences for patients. The RAPIDE project offers a valuable opportunity to learn from this, to build in healthcare optimisation and forecasting and to create more flexible and adaptable ways to deliver healthcare. It builds on the success of PANDEM-2 project, which was all about developing systems for countries, governments and their health services to plan and prepare responses when the next pandemic hits. “The RAPIDE research will have applicability for winter surges in hospital admissions due to respiratory illnesses, including influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV as it is better known. This winter these illnesses have put hospitals under pressure with increased hospital and ICU admissions in children under 5 and adults aged 65 years and over. It is one of the aims of this project to help hospitals plan for such surges.” Professor Duggan's team will develop a cutting-edge decision support system to forecast surges in demand for patient care during health emergencies. Professor Duggan said: “Our novel technical solution will use state of the art simulation and mathematical methods to model epidemiological and patient pathways in order to evaluate flexible healthcare solutions. The goal is to help mitigate the impact of increased patient demand during pandemic emergencies. The work will be informed by stakeholder requirements and insights across different healthcare scenarios, including hospital, primary, and community care settings, and in collaboration with partners in the Netherlands, Italy, Slovenia and Malta.” RAPIDE will also research digital technologies and the impact on home-based care in rural communities, by evaluating progress made during the pandemic on remote consultations and health monitoring, electronic prescribing and health apps. It will also learn from partners in the research consortium, in particular Norway and the Netherlands, which are both very advanced in these areas.  As the project nears completion, the Global Health team at University of Galway will evaluate performance of the decision support system and hybrid-care delivery tools in a pandemic simulation exercise. Stakeholders including the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the European Commission Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety will take part in the stress test.  Professor Connolly added: “We also acknowledge the recent establishment of Ireland’s new emerging health threats agency, as announced by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly T.D. This underscores the importance of building capacity for managing public health threats.” Ends

University of Galway has unveiled a sponsorship deal for the Hurling Club - medical device and pharmaceutical consultancy firm Trinzo. The partnership was marked at a special on-campus get-together at the Quadrangle ahead of this season’s Fitzgibbon Cup. University of Galway Hurling are the League Champions for 2023 and have made it to the final of the Fitzgibbon for the last two years, having last lifted the historic trophy in 2010. The University’s Dean of Students Professor Ciara Meehan joined Liam Turley, chief executive of Trinzo, to mark the sponsorship, along with club players Eoin Lawless, Colm Cunningham, Gavin Lee and Ian McGlynn, and club representatives Michael J O’Connor, GAA Officer, Feargal O'Callaghan, acting Director of Sports, Michael Molloy, Club Chair, Barry Murphy, Club Secretary, and Jeff Lynskey, Club Coach. University of Galway’s Dean of Students, Professor Ciara Meehan, said: “University of Galway has a great history in the Fitzgibbon and we are delighted to bring that to a partnership with Trinzo, a Galway-based company that shares our vision for excellence and community development. Sport can be such an important contributor in the growth and health of individual, and having a supportive sponsor makes a real difference. We look forward to a successful journey with Trinzo and to seeing the partnership flourish in the future as we wish all the players, staff and volunteers every success in the Fitzgibbon in 2024.” Liam Turley, chief executive of Trinzo, said: “We are delighted to sponsor the University of Galway Hurling Club and we hope that our partnership will help the hurlers and all those involved with the club to reach great heights. People are at the heart of everything we do – from our clients and their patients, to our local community. That’s why we’re proud to support University of Galway’s hurling team, promoting sport at a local and national level and giving us the chance to support students who are competing at elite level and taking to the field for University of Galway. We wish them every success.” Speaking at the get-together, Michael Molloy, Chair of University of Galway’s Hurling Club, said: “We are delighted to be able to celebrate the great sponsorship and support that we have from Liam Turley and everyone at Trinzo and we hope it will lead to many other celebrations as we head into the fierce competition of this year’s Fitzgibbon Cup.” Trinzo is a medical device and pharmaceutical consultancy firm based in Galway that solves quality, compliance, business development and product development issues to support healthcare globally. The Fitzgibbon Cup starts on January 17, 2024, with 10-time winners University of Galway drawn in Group D along with SETU Carlow and UCD. Ends

New research has revealed that using smartphones for personal purposes while at work can lead to reduced stress, as well as lower levels of conflict between work and personal life.  The study was conducted by University of Galway and University of Melbourne at the European branch of a global pharmaceutical company which underwent a transformative change in its phone policy - shifting from a restrictive approach to personal phones, to open access for non-work purposes. Led by Professor Eoin Whelan, at University of Galway’s J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, the research highlights the potential benefits of moderate mobile phone usage in the professional setting, with no discernible impact on worker performance. The company had originally banned personal use of phones in the 1990s for health and safety reasons, amid concerns of employees being distracted while working around dangerous chemicals.  Staff had since voiced dissatisfaction with the ban and reported feeling disconnected, while senior management felt the branch was viewed as technophobic because of the ban and that it was hampering competitiveness against other branches of the company. Prior to the study taking place, only senior management at the company could bring their personal mobile phone into the workplace.  Over the course of a year, the research tracked about 40 employees who availed of the new policy and used their personal smartphones when at work, and a similar number who maintained a self-imposed ban by leaving their phones behind them when they stepped inside the work premises.  The insights gained from the experiment were explored through qualitative interviews. The study found:  Despite fears of smartphone distraction and loss of focus, work performance did not decline when the ban was lifted Work-life conflict - the perceived conflict between the demands of work and personal life - significantly declined for workers who had access to their phones compared to those who did not Employees with access to phones reported being able to help with family issues during the day, helping to reduce pressure on their partner Spreading personal communications throughout the day also meant employees were not overwhelmed when they turned on their phone after work While previous research has primarily focused on the consequences of technology and work-related communications impacting on people outside of the workplace, this study stands out for its innovative approach in investigating the reverse scenario. The ground-breaking findings contribute to understanding of the interplay between technology and the sought-after work-life balance while also offering practical insights for organisations aiming to foster a healthier and more balanced work environment. Speaking of the findings, Professor Eoin Whelan, University of Galway J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, said: "Rather than enforcing a ban on smartphones in the workplace, our experiences in tracking the introduction of smartphones in this company suggest a more effective strategy would be to establish an organisational climate where the company expectation for smartphone behaviours are known – for example ensuring that they are not used in meetings or in the canteen, with adherence monitored by employees themselves. "Managers must realise the unintended consequences of forcing a smartphone ban. Preventing phones in the workplace can increase work-life conflict, which in turn has significant implications for work performance, job satisfaction, absenteeism, turnover intentions, as well as general wellbeing.” The research noted other studies into personal use of smartphone in the workplace, with some reports suggesting employees spent an average of 56 minutes during a working day on their smartphone for non-work related tasks, and that they check their phone an average of 150 times a day. The full paper is available to read here  Ends

Reáchtálfaidh Ionad Rochtana Ollscoil na Gaillimhe an oíche eolais bhliantúil sin a dhíreoidh ar riachtanais na mac léinn lánfhásta agus na bhfoghlaimeoirí fásta atá ag smaoineamh ar thabhairt faoi staidéar lánaimseartha nó páirtaimseartha don bhliain acadúil 2024. Beidh an oíche eolais ar siúl Dé Céadaoin, an 10 Eanáir, ó 6.30-9pm san Institiúid Cúrsa Saoil agus Sochaí, Bóthar an Chaisleáin Nua Uachtarach, Gaillimh. Tá an ócáid ceart dírithe go háirithe orthu siúd atá 23 bliain d’aois nó níos sine atá ag iarraidh tuilleadh eolais a fháil faoi na roghanna staidéir atá ar fáil in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Beidh deis ag an lucht freastail deiseanna a phlé le mic léinn lánfhásta reatha agus le saineolaithe na gcúrsaí, rud a chabhróidh leo cinneadh a dhéanamh faoi na roghanna is fearr a d’oirfeadh dá gcúinsí pearsanta agus dá riachtanais forbartha gairmiúla. Bhí an méid seo le rá ag Kathleen Hartigan, Oifigeach na Mac Léinn Lánfhásta in Ionad Rochtana Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: “Tá a dhíograisí is a bhíonn mic léinn lánfhásta feicthe againn i gcaitheamh na mblianta, agus cuireann a ndúil san fhoghlaim go mór lenár bpobal campais. Táimid tiomanta an t-eolas atá de dhíth orthu a chur ar fáil dóibh le go mbeidh siad in ann an rogha oideachais is oiriúnaí dóibh féin a dhéanamh in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe.” Déanfaidh Ionad Forbartha Gairmeacha na hOllscoile cur i láthair faoin gcaoi conairí gairme a fhiosrú agus plean oideachais agus gairme a chur i dtoll a chéile. Bhí an méid seo le rá ag Nuala McGuinn, Stiúrthóir an Ionaid Foghlama agus Forbartha Gairmiúla d’Aosaigh, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: “Tabharfaidh saineolaithe san oideachas aosach ó réimsí na gcúrsaí fochéime, iarchéime agus páirtaimseartha léargas ar na cúrsaí atá ann, ar na sceidil sholúbtha agus na seirbhísí tacaíochta atá curtha in oiriúint do riachtanais na bhfoghlaimeoirí lánfhásta.” Beidh baill den Ionad Rochtana ar fáil chun ceisteanna a fhreagairt faoi chúrsaí réamh-ollscoile ar nós cúrsaí Rochtana/Bonnchúrsaí. Beidh na Seirbhísí Tacaíochta Míchumais, a bhfuil saineolas acu faoin gcaoi tacú le mic léinn a bhfuil riochtaí sláinte (fisiciúil nó meabhrach) fadtéarmach orthu, nó a bhfuil deacracht shonrach foghlama acu, i láthair chun treoir a thabhairt do mhic léinn ionchasacha.  Ní mór clárú don ócáid seo. Cláraigh anseo nó seol ríomhphost chuig maturestudents@universityofgalway.ie. Tá tuilleadh eolais le fáil ag https://universityofgalway.ie/mature/. Críoch

University of Galway’s Access Centre will hold its annual information evening, focusing on the needs of mature students and adult learners who may be considering full-time or part-time studies for the 2024 academic year. The information evening will take place on Wednesday, January 10th, from 6.30-9pm in the Institute for Lifecourse and Society, Upper Newcastle Road, Galway. The in-person event is designed particularly for those aged 23 or over who want to find out more about study options at University of Galway. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss opportunities with current mature students and course experts to help them decide which options best suit their personal circumstances and professional development needs. Kathleen Hartigan, Mature Student Officer at University of Galway’s Access Centre, said: “We have seen over the years that mature students bring an enthusiasm and a motivation to learn that enriches our campus community, and we are dedicated to providing them with the necessary information to help them choose the best educational option for their needs.” The University’s Career Development Centre will deliver a presentation on exploring career pathways and how to plan education and a career journey.   Nuala McGuinn, Director at the Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development, University of Galway, said: “Experts in adult education from the undergraduate, postgraduate and part-time course areas will share insights on course offerings, the flexible schedules available to students and the support services that are tailored to the needs of mature learners.” Members of the Access Centre will be available to answer questions on pre-university courses in terms of Access/Foundation courses, and staff from Disability Support Services, who have expertise in supporting students who may have a long-term health conditions (physical or mental), or a specific learning difficulty, will also be in attendance to give guidance to prospective students. Registration for this event is essential. Please register here or email maturestudents@universityofgalway.ie Further information is available at https://universityofgalway.ie/mature/.  Ends