Good Science Discussion Series: finding the scientist in your community

Join us for a panel discussion exploring how to find the scientist in your community. This is a hybrid event, in-person and online tickets are available.

Moderated by award-winning educator and researcher, Dr John O’Donoghue from Trinity College Dublin, this panel will convene a range of experts in public science and science communication to consider the importance of education and public engagement for promoting ‘Good Science’ and how we can help facilitate accessible community engagement in science and research. This event will explore topics including citizen science, the intersection between science and the arts, university research outreach and engagement, and science communication. 

The panellists for the event are:

• Dr Claire Murray, Freelance researcher in citizen science and science communication
• Professor Alan Kelly, Professor of Food Science at University College Cork
• Dr Niamh Shaw, Scientist, engineer, STEM communicator, writer, and performer
• Dr Jessamyn Fairfield, Lecturer in the School of Natural Sciences and the School of English, Media and Creative Arts, University of Galway

‘Finding the Scientist in your Community’ is the third panel event in the Good Science Discussion Series, a series of public conversations organised by the Academy's Physical, Chemical and Mathematical Sciences Committee that aim to address the important issues of science communication, ethical science and public trust in expertise.

This event is aimed at researchers, students, educators, policy makers, and anyone with a broad interest in public science. 

There will be a drinks reception after the panel discussion. 

About the speakers:

Claire Murray

Dr Claire Murray is an Irish freelance researcher in citizen science and science communication based in Berlin, Germany. She has a PhD in Chemistry. Her work centres on inclusive, creative and collaborative practices that engage and amplify underrepresented communities on topics such as the climate crisis, the chemistry of calcium carbonate, co-creating healthy lifestyles and more.

Alan Kelly

Alan Kelly is a Professor of Food Science at University College Cork (UCC), where he teaches and leads a research group in the areas of food processing and preservation and dairy science and technology. He has published over 300 research papers, review articles and book chapters and supervised over 60 MSc and PhD students to completion. In addition, he has a firm commitment to public understanding of science, co-ordinating the public-facing UCC module Science in Society and regularly giving talks at science fairs and other events about the science of food; he has also published several books for a wider audience including Molecules, microbes and meals: the surprising science of food (Oxford University Press, 2019) and How scientists communicate: dispatches from the frontiers of science (Oxford University Press, 2020). He is currently Head of the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences at UCC, Vice-Head of the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science, and Co-director of the Futures Research Theme of Food, the Microbiome and Health.

Niamh Shaw

Niamh Shaw is a scientist, engineer, STEM communicator, writer, and performer. She holds a PhD in Food Science and Bachelor and Masters degrees in Biosystems Engineering, all from University College Dublin. Since 2014, she has focused on making science accessible through storytelling, performance, and community engagement. She is the founder of 'Town Scientist;, which works with families and communities to build confidence in science, particularly among those who do not see it as “for them.” Niamh has presented internationally, including at the International Astronautical Congress, European Geosciences Union General Assembly and European Planetary Science Congress. Her work explores how science connects with society—starting in the home, not just the classroom.

Jessamyn Fairfield

Dr Jessamyn Fairfield is a lecturer in the School of Natural Sciences and the School of English, Media and Creative Arts at the University of Galway leading research on the intersection between science and the performing arts. She founded Bright Club Ireland, a research comedy variety night which has held over a hundred events across Ireland and trained hundreds of academics in standup comedy. Her most recent project, We Built This City on Rock and Coal, explored climate action using improvised theatre, co-creating 30 shows with remote coastal Irish communities. She has also co-created dance theatre shows with choreographer Deidre Cavazzi exploring nanoscience and neuroscience, with their next production ROOTED premiering this June.

About the moderator:

John O'Donoghue

Dr John O'Donoghue is an award-winning educator and researcher at Trinity College Dublin where he coordinates the Science Communication training for early career researchers and leads several initiatives to increase accessibility in science. Working with the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), he has collaborated with hundreds of teachers around the world to develop resources and supports for the teaching of science and practical skills in schools. John has also contributed to national and international media and served as a science consultant for TV productions. Over to you John.

Please note:

We ask that you arrive to 19 Dawson Street no later than 17:50. so that we can ensure everyone is seated before the event begins at 18:00. Late-comers may not be admitted.

Read our Events Code of Conduct and our Data Protection Policies.

Tabhair faoi deara:

Ba cheart go mbainfeá an tAcadamh (19 Sráid Dhásain) amach faoi 17:50. ar a dhéanaí chun a chinntiú go mbeidh gach éinne socraithe sula gcuirfear tús leis an imeacht ar 18:00. Ní ligfear isteach daoine a bheidh déanach.

Léigh ár gCód Iompair maidir le hImeachtaí agus ár Data Protection Policies.

Queries

If you have queries relating to this event, contact our Communications department by email: communications@ria.ie

Access requirements

Have you got any access requirements that we can assist you with, so that you can fully engage with our event? Please let us know by contacting our access officer in advance of the event by email: accessofficer@ria.ie

Riachtanais rochtana

An bhfuil riachtanais rochtana de chineál ar bith agat? An bhféadfaimis cuidiú leat tairbhe iomlán a bhaint as an imeacht? Bí i dteagmháil, roimh ré, le hoifigeach rochtana an Acadaimh, accessofficer@ria.ie