Six postgraduate researchers at South East Technological University are to between them get €272,000 in funding.
The monies form part of the lastest round of the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme which is delivered by Research Ireland.
It supports outstanding early-career researchers across all disciplines, with funding provided to 244 postgraduate scholars nationally as part of a €36.3 million investment announced by James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
Successful awardees at our region’s facility are:
- Bolutito Ibikunle – Bioconversion of Brewer’s Spent Grain (BSG) to BioButanol and Value Added Product(s) (€34,000)
- Dylan Sheneth Edirisinghe – Mitigation of wind turbine blade erosion using climate data and uncertainty quantification methods (€34,000)
- Elisa Habluetzel Esposito – Development, implementation, and evaluation of theory-driven, evidence-based and patient-centred physical activity resources for people living with and beyond cancer in the Republic of Ireland (€68,000)
- Emma Ferris – Let us in, hear our voices; an exploration of barriers to access and participation in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programmes for the Traveller population using an engaged research approach (€68,000)
- Nicola Briggs – Shining a light on success: utilising implementation science to enhance the reach, adoption and sustainability of the ‘Ireland Lights Up’ community walking initiative (€34,000)
- Sylwia O’Rourke – Wired and Developing: the perceived role of digital interactions in Early Childhood Education and Care (€34,000)
Prof Marie Claire Van Hout, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Impact at SETU, said; “These awards are a strong endorsement of the quality and ambition of our postgraduate research community at SETU. Securing Government of Ireland funding is a significant achievement, reflecting both the excellence of the researchers and the strength of the support structures around them.
“At SETU, we are committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive research environment where early-career researchers can thrive and contribute meaningfully to society and the economy. I warmly congratulate our six awardees and look forward to following the impact of their work.”
“The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is a key national initiative designed to support the development of research talent and to strengthen Ireland’s capacity for innovation and knowledge creation.
Minister Lawless said; “This significant investment of €36.3 million in our early career researchers reinforces the Government’s commitment to the future of Ireland’s research and innovation system. The Government of Ireland programme is a central measure in supporting the system’s continued development and in strengthening Ireland’s international competitiveness.”
Also welcoming the announcement, Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, added, “At the heart of these programmes are the researchers themselves – individuals whose creativity and determination are shaping new ideas and advancing knowledge across all disciplines.”
The six SETU researchers will undertake projects that contribute to societal and economic impact, further strengthening SETU’s role in delivering research that responds to regional and national priorities.
