Podcasts about Dublin City University

Ciaran Dunne, Transversal Skills Director of Dublin City University, offers his insights on how AI will impact the future of third-level education.

A row has erupted over continued exports of alumina from the Aughinish refinery on the Shannon Estuary to Russia, with the Ukrainian Embassy in Ireland expressing what it describes as "serious concern" about the trade. The controversy centres on claims that alumina produced at the Russian-owned plant in County Limerick could ultimately be ending up in supply chains linked to Russia's military-industrial complex. The company insists it is fully compliant with all EU sanctions and trade regulations, while the Government has launched an investigation and says it is awaiting the findings before any decisions are made. The issue raises difficult questions about sanctions, European energy and industrial security, Ireland's support for Ukraine, and the future of one of the country's most significant manufacturing employers. To discuss the political and European dimensions of the story, Alan Morrissey was joined by Newmarket-on-Fergus native and Professor of Politics at Dublin City University, Donnacha Ó'Beacháin, and Billy Kelleher, Fianna Fáil MEP for Ireland South. Image (c) Liam Burke via Irish Times

Niall Moyna, Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology in Dublin City University, on research finding that weekly weight training can reduce risk of early death.

On this show we are chatting to Martijn van der Spek, the developer of the very popular PiccyBot application. Martijn tells us how he got started creating accessible apps for the blind, and of course all about his latest creation PiccyBot. The BGC fellas have been using this app for a while and love it. Jan is just back from a bitterly cold camping trip, where he has a top tip: wear all your clothes at the same time for a good night's sleep! Clodagh's got an email from Máire from Kerry, asking about audio description for GAA football and hurling, and gets rather excited explaining these Irish games to the non-Irish lads! Finally, a reminder that Óran is hosting the next Audio Description Association (ADA) VI User Group event on Tuesday, May 26, when he will be speaking with Dr Lucía Pintado Gutiérrez from Dublin City University, about the ADESI (Audio Description in Ireland) project. This is a research project and report published in 2025 on “The challenges of audio description in Ireland: Bridging education, users and industry.” All are welcome. Details below: Date: May 26th Time 13:30pm - 14:30pm  (GMT) Zoom Link: https://tinyurl.com/ADAviUserGroup So, stop trying to vote for your favourite song - the Eurovision Song Contest is over! And instead vote number 1 for the number 1 podcast this side of the Blue Danube: Blind Guys Chat. 112 out of 114 Minions prefer it to being despicable! Links for this show: ·       Piccybot: www.piccybot.com ·       GAA: https://www.gaa.ie/ ·       Croke Park audio description service: https://crokepark.ie/matchday/adc-commentary ·       Clodagh's favourite song about Vienna (It's a cover): https://tinyurl.com/ViennaSong Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chatRead transcript

Join Justin Dawson as he takes you front and centre to Dublin Tech Week, the 10th anniversary Dublin Tech Summit, and the fringe events fueling innovation across Ireland. From live event breakdowns to exclusive insider info, you'll hear what's shaping the future of AI, startups, and grassroots tech.Listen in as Justin Dawson interviews Michael Dowling from Dublin City University, whose company Narative is redefining how AI helps small businesses with banking and finance. Get invaluable insights into the world of AI startups, security in open-source government solutions, and the journey from research to real-world product.Discover how modern vehicles collect and sell your personal data, and what federal laws might mean for your privacy behind the wheel. Explore debates on AI's impact on tech jobs, how to nurture future engineers, and why accessible tech education matters. Stay ahead, be inspired, and join the conversation with tech's brightest thinkers, only on All Things TechIE Podcast, episode 147!

Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at Dublin City University, outlines the political reaction to comments made by former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern around immigration.

Stasera il presidente degli Stati Uniti Donald Trump arriverà in Cina per una serie di incontri con il presidente cinese Xi Jinping. Con Lorenzo Lamperti, giornalista, da TaipeiIl 10 maggio l'attivista iraniana Narges Mohammadi, Premio Nobel per la Pace 2023, è stata rilasciata su cauzione per essere trasferita in un ospedale di Teheran, mentre continuano gli arresti di attivisti edesponenti della società civile Con Paola Rivetti, docente di relazioni internazionali alla Dublin City University. Oggi parliamo anche di:Eventi • Internazionale al Salone del libro di Torinohttps://www.internazionale.it/notizie/2026/04/28/internazionale-al-salone-del-libroMusica • Train on the island di Aldous HardingCi piacerebbe sapere cosa pensi di questo episodio. Scrivici a podcast@internazionale.it Se ascolti questo podcast e ti piace, abbonati a Internazionale. È un modo concreto per sostenerci e per aiutarci a garantire ogni giorno un'informazione di qualità. Vai su internazionale.it/abbonatiConsulenza editoriale di Chiara NielsenProduzione di Claudio Balboni e Vincenzo De SimoneMusiche di Tommaso Colliva e Raffaele ScognaDirezione creativa di Jonathan Zenti

Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at Dublin City University, analyses the two constituences which will have bye-elections on May 22nd.

Former Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar has come under fire for comments on the Path to Power podcast:"We're the ones paying all the bills — you're the ones in receipt of a lot of subsidies and a lot of tax benefits that other people don't get.”But, does his argument stack up?For more on this, Ciara is joined by Michael Fitzmaurice, Independent Ireland TD & Edgar Morgenroth, Professor of Economics at Dublin City University.

STORIA DELL' IRAN. RIVOLUZIONE, GUERRA E RESISTENZA.PAOLA RIVETTIL'attuale territorio dell'Iran custodisce una delle civiltà più antiche del mondo: un crocevia millenario in cui si sono intrecciati popoli, imperi e religioni. Negli ultimi mesi è tornato al centro dei nostri telegiornali, ma la sua storia resta ancora poco chiara a molti.Oggi a Librovagando, la Professoressa Paola Rivetti (docente di Relazioni internazionali presso la Dublin City University ) ci accompagna nel cuore dell'Iran, osservandolo attraverso gli occhi dei movimenti sociali e analizzando le dinamiche interne che hanno scosso gli equilibri mondiali. Al centro, la società civile iraniana e le sue lotte politiche: raccontate nel suo libro "Storia dell'Iran. Rivoluzione, guerra e resistenza. 1975-2025."

Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at Dublin City University, analyses the fall-out after the Government won a confidence vote but lost Michael Healy-Rae.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has announced an investment of €17 million to support nine key infrastructure projects through the Research Ireland Infrastructure Programme. This funding will enable the installation of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities across the country, strengthening Ireland's research capacity in strategically important areas such as advanced materials, MedTech, AI, semiconductors and quantum technologies. The programme is designed to ensure that Irish researchers can access the specialised equipment needed to compete on the global stage. Announcing the investment, Minister Lawless said: "Today's Research Ireland infrastructure announcement further underscores our strong commitment to ensuring Ireland's research community have access to world-class facilities. These nine projects will strengthen national capability in areas vital to Ireland's future, including advanced materials, AI, and MedTech. This investment will equip researchers across the country with the tools they need to remain at the forefront of global innovation and strengthen Ireland's long-term competitiveness." Welcoming the announcement, Dr Diarmuid O'Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, added: "We are enabling researchers across the country to pursue ambitious ideas, deepen collaboration and accelerate breakthrough discoveries by providing access to truly world-class infrastructure. The awards announced today are a key step in delivering on Research Ireland's strategy to strengthen national research capacity, future-proofing our research ecosystem and ensuring Ireland remains a global leader in high-impact research." The nine Research Ireland-funded infrastructure awards are: Advanced Semiconductor Processing and characterIsation facility foR multifunctional thin-film matErials (ASPIRE), Tyndall National Institute, led by Dr. Lynette Keeney. ASPIRE will provide national capability for growing and analysing ultra-thin semiconductor materials with atomic precision, accelerating progress in advanced electronics and emerging technologies. (€4,674,908). Atomic Layer Etch Platform, Dublin City University, led by Prof. Deborah O'Connell. This platform will establish Ireland's first facility for atomic etching with real-time diagnostic monitoring, supporting precision manufacturing for next-generation chips, quantum devices, and sensors. (€2,893,041). Full Spectrum Co-Operative Communications Test Bed Incorporating RF, THz & Optical Transmission, Dublin City University, led by Prof. Liam Barry. This infrastructure will allow researchers to develop and assess high-speed communication systems across radio, terahertz and optical frequencies for data-centre networks, wireless systems, and energy-efficient communications technologies. (€1,664,025). HARD2HISTO: Advanced HARD-Tissue, Biomaterial And Medical Device HISTOlogical Processing and Analysis Platform, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, led by Prof. Oran Kennedy. HARD2HISTO will be a national facility for preparing and analysing hard tissues and complex medical devices, supporting research into musculoskeletal health, dental and joint conditions. (€1,065,588). MeDiNet (Medical Device Innovation Network), University of Galway and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, led by Dr. Eimear Dolan. MeDiNet will provide shared national facilities for the designing and testing of new medical devices, reducing reliance on animal testing, and strengthening Ireland's MedTech ecosystem. (€1,968,706). NanoStruct-X: Democratising advanced materials characterisation with lab-based synchtrotron-style tools, University College Dublin, led by Prof. Serena Cussen. NanoStruct-X will provide national access to synchrotron-style characterisation tools, expanding national capacity for high-precision analysis of complex materials and supporting breakthroughs across materials science, energy and manufacturing. (€1,361,069). Surfac...

Rust adoption can be loud, like when companies such as Microsoft, Meta, and Google announce their use of Rust in high-profile projects. But there are countless smaller teams quietly using Rust to solve real-world problems, sometimes even without noticing. This episode tells one such story. Cian and his team at Cloudsmith have been adopting Rust in their Python monolith not because they wanted to rewrite everything in Rust, but because Rust extensions were simply best-in-class for the specific performance problems they were trying to solve in their Django application. As they had these initial successes, they gained more confidence in Rust and started using it in more and more areas of their codebase.About CloudsmithMade with love in Belfast and trusted around the world. Cloudsmith is the fully-managed solution for controlling, securing, and distributing software artifacts. They analyze every package, container, and ML model in an organization's supply chain, allow blocking bad packages before they reach developers, and build an ironclad chain of custody.About Cian ButlerCian is a Service Reliability Engineer located in Dublin, Ireland. He has been working with Rust for 10 years and has a history of helping companies build reliable and efficient software. He has a BA in Computer Programming from Dublin City University.Links From The EpisodeLee Skillen's blog - The blog of Lee Skillen, Cloudsmith's co-founder and CTODjango - Python on RailsDjango Mixins - Great for scaling up, not great for long-term maintenanceSBOM - Software Bill of MaterialsMicroservice vs Monolith - Martin Fowler's canonical explanationJaeger - "Debugger" for microservicesPyO3 - Rust-to-Python and Python-to-Rust FFI crateorjson - Pretty fast JSON handling in Python using Rustdrf-orjson-renderer - Simple orjson wrapper for Django REST FrameworkRust in Python cryptography - Parsing complex data formats is just safer in Rust!jsonschema-py - jsonschema in Python with Rust, mentioned in the PyO3 docsWSGI - Python's standard for HTTP server interfacesuWSGI - A application server providing a WSGI interfacerustimport - Simply import Rust files as modules in Python, great for prototypinggranian - WSGI application server written in Rust with tokio and hyperhyper - HTTP parsing and serialization library for RustHAProxy - Feature rich reverse proxy with good request queue supportnginx - Very common reverse proxy with very nice and readable configlocust - Fantastic load-test tool with configuration in Pythongoose - Locust, but in RustPodman - Daemonless container engineDocker - Container platformbuildx - Docker CLI plugin for extended build capabilities with BuildKitOrbStack - Faster Docker for Desktop alternativeRust in Production: curl with Daniel Stenberg - Talking about hyper's strictness being at odds with curl's permissive designaxum - Ergonomic and modular web framework for Rustrocket - Web framework for RustOfficial LinksCloudsmith WebsiteCian Butler's WebsiteCian's E-Mail

The toxic stew of grievance, misogyny and self-pity known as the Manosphere isn't just warping young men's minds and legitimising contempt for women. It's become big business for influencers like Andrew Tate, HSTikkyTokky and others. If disaffected young men pay enough into their “Universities” they can ascend to ever-higher levels with names like “the War Room”. There they learn that women and woke are to blame for all their problems, and they can learn how to master both… if they keep paying enough.  Debbie Ging, Professor of Digital Media and Gender at Dublin City University, talks to Zoë Grünewald about the economics of the Manosphere and how the quest for fast cars and compliant women can become a ruinously expensive pursuit.  www.patreon.com/bunkercast  Written by Zoë Grünewald and Sophie Clark and presented by Zoe Grünewald. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Partiamo dal Libano dove la capitale è stata travolta dai raid israeliani che hanno provocato centinaia di morti, con Jacopo Mocchi, giornalista freelance in collegamento da Beirut. Facciamo poi il punto sulla fragile tregua di due settimane proclamata nella notte dal presidente Trump con Paola Rivetti, professoressa di politica e relazioni internazionali presso la School of Law and Government della Dublin City University, Brian Katulis, senior Fellow al Middle East Institute di Washington ed ex funzionario del Dipartimento di Stato Usa e con Mario Del Pero, che insegna Storia Internazionale e Storia degli Stati Uniti a Sciences Po, Parigi.Infine, un focus sulla Cina con Lorenzo Lamperti, giornalista da Taipei.

Dr Conor Boland, a researcher from Dublin City University joins Emile Donovan to explain.

I speak with Declan O'Connell in this week's episode. Declan is a coach and performance consultant with over 20 years working with elite sports, global executive teams, and high-performance environments across the world. Declan is currently finalising his Doctorate in Elite Performance Psychology at Dublin City University. His doctorate research focuses on developing adaptability in individuals, teams and organisations. In this episode we discuss a paper Declan co-authored with Dr Robin Taylor "What got me here, won't get me there – how the world's best sports coaches successfully adapt their expertise in different environments". The study explores how world-class coaches develop and apply Adaptive Expertise (AE) across multiple high-performance settings. The findings offer a practical framework for developing Accelerated Learning and underscore its value in navigating the uncertainties and transitions inherent in high-performance sport.

Waterford's Walton Institute at South East Technological University (SETU) and IrelandQCI project consortium partners have worked with Q*Bird, the Dutch leader in quantum secure communication, to successfully deploy Ireland's first multi-node, entanglement-based Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution (MDI-QKD) network. The deployment forms part of the IrelandQCI project, the country's national quantum communications initiative and a key contributor to EuroQCI, the EU-wide federated quantum communications infrastructure. Operating over Ireland's existing fibre infrastructure, the telecom-grade network transitions quantum security from research environments into live national infrastructure. It safeguards research, education and critical systems while enabling interoperable quantum connectivity across Ireland and Europe. Importantly, it has been designed from the start with an expandable architecture in mind, so that any additional Q*Bird QKD Node can connect to the network with a single fibre link and then gain full quantum connectivity around the network. A major milestone for Ireland's national quantum infrastructure ''This multi-node deployment represents a major milestone for Ireland's national quantum infrastructure," said Dr Deirdre Kilbane, Director of Research at Walton Institute at SETU and Coordinator of the €10 M IrelandQCI project, which is co-funded by the European Commission and the Irish Government's Department of Communications, Culture and Sport. "By integrating Q*Bird's operational MDI-QKD Falqon® Series across research institutions, data centres and national networks, we are enabling secure, interoperable quantum communication while also creating a platform for other research institutions to join. It strengthens Ireland's sovereignty over critical communications and contributes directly to EuroQCI and Europe's federated quantum network vision." The hub-and-spoke architectural network comprises of four End Nodes, one Center Hub and one Quantum Optical Switch for a scalable metropolitan deployment and uses ESB Telecoms dark fibre for the quantum communication channel. The End Nodes are located in two Dublin data centres, Dublin City University and Trinity College Dublin, while the Center Hub is hosted at Asiera (formerly HEAnet), Ireland's National Education and Research Network. The collaborative expertise of Walton Institute at SETU, Asiera and Q*Bird were responsible for the successful deployment of the highly secure connection between the strategic Dublin city locations. The Q*Bird Quantum-Optimized Optical Switch enables dynamic, secure routing of qubits around the network, ensuring full multi-node connectivity of QKD keys, without relying on trusted intermediaries. Industry-grade security for research, education and critical infrastructure At the core of the network is Q*Bird's Falqon Series, enabling entanglement-based quantum key distribution over operational fibre networks. Detector-side exploits have been identified by security authorities, including Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), as the most critical attack vector in earlier QKD implementations. Q*Bird's devices completely remove the requirement to trust any measurement devices, thus establishing an architecture with a security model resilient against both present day cyber threats and future quantum-enabled attacks. This ensures long-term cryptographic protection for sensitive research data, governmental communications and critical infrastructure systems, while addressing harvest-now-decrypt-later (HNDL) risk scenarios. Interoperability by design, resilience by architecture The network's hub-and-spoke architecture of Q*Bird devices, along with the Quantum Optical Switch, enables precise synchronisation, dynamic routing and multi-node quantum key distribution. Designed for interoperability and compatibility with existing fibre infrastructure, it provides an open foundation for future integration with eme...

The first Innovate for Ireland national centre, 'Decarb-AI: AI-Powered Pathways to Climate Resilience' has been announced today. Created in partnership with AIB and Research Ireland, the €5.7m Decarb-AI national centre will aim to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate Ireland's transition to a climate-resilient, low-carbon future. Decarb-AI will welcome 30 iScholars across three intakes. Eight iScholars – from China, Ghana, India, the UK, France, Ireland and Kenya – have already commenced their research. All of these iScholars will undertake fully-funded, four-year PhDs under the supervision of leading academic researchers from Irish higher education institutions, which are: University College Dublin (lead institution), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, Technological University Dublin, University of Limerick, University of Galway (via the Irish Centre for High-End Computing – ICHEC), and University College Cork. The iScholars' research at Decarb-AI research centre will focus on using cutting-edge AI to advance climate mitigation and adaptation across Ireland, with key focus areas including: — AI-optimised renewable energy systems and data centre sustainability — Machine learning for water quality forecasting and peatland restoration — Earth-observation and biodiversity modelling for land-use policy — AI-supported sustainable finance tools for SMEs — Transparent AI decision-support systems for real-time decarbonisation planning The launch of Decarb-AI is a major milestone for the Innovate for Ireland programme. It follows on from the programme's successful launch in early 2025, which saw the recruitment of the first cohort of 11 iScholars working in a variety of research disciplines. iScholars are outstanding researchers with entrepreneurial qualities and a passion for sustainability. Yvonne McCarthy, Head of Sustainability Research, AIB, commented: "Tackling climate change requires both ambition and innovation. AIB is proud to partner with Innovate for Ireland on Decarb-AI, an initiative that brings world-leading researchers together to accelerate Ireland's transition to a low-carbon economy. By supporting the development of AI-driven tools for energy and sustainable finance, we're helping to unlock some of the solutions that will ensure that businesses and communities can make meaningful progress on decarbonisation that allows them to thrive." Dr Diarmuid O'Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, commented: "By combining advanced AI research with real-world climate challenges, Decarb-AI has the potential to generate solutions that are both scientifically rigorous and nationally impactful. This initiative will train the next generation of interdisciplinary leaders and strengthen Ireland's credentials in climate research innovation." Andrew Parnell, Lead PI and Professor of Data Science for Weather and Climate at University College Dublin, commented, "AI is the catalyst required to solve the multi-objective problems inherent in climate resilience. Through Decarb-AI, we are fostering a research environment where advanced data science meets urgent environmental necessity through our new iScholars. Our focus is on creating scalable, academically rigorous, and industry-ready outputs ranging from peatland restoration to sustainable finance. We must ensure that Ireland remains at the global forefront of excellence in AI and sustainability." Dr Simon Boucher, Chief Executive, Global Innovators Ireland, commented: "The opening of the Decarb-AI national centre is an important step towards realising the Innovate for Ireland vision of establishing Ireland as a world-leading hub for sustainability innovation and helping to address the world's most pressing challenges." Applications for a second cohort of researchers to Decarb-AI will be invited from ambitious candidates with backgrounds in AI, data science, engineering, environmental science, ecology, geography, finance, and related fields who want to bui...

US President Donald Trump has described the Iranian regime as "sick", "demented", "maniacs", and promised a quick end to the war. Following his meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin yesterday, Mr. Trump says he's "way ahead of schedule" on Iran and the whole world should be "very thankful" for his intervention. He also said he is disappointed in NATO, and gave a timeline of a "couple of weeks" for the end of the war. President Trump said he was forced to act. The EU's foreign policy chief says the door is not closed to European participation in protecting the Strait of Hormuz. But Kaja Kallas says it would probably be part of a diplomatic solution. She also says EU is consulting with governments in the Middle East about how to bring the conflict to a conclusion. Kaja Kallas warned about the need to improve our own defences. Iran has confirmed its top security official has been killed in an airstrike. Tehran had yesterday denied Ali Larijani had been killed - displaying a handwritten note supposedly written by him as evidence he was alive. Iran launched missiles at Israel overnight, killing two people. Meanwhile, senior US counter-terrorism boss Joe Kent has resigned, saying he doesn't support the conflict. To discuss all of this, along with growing concern about the impact on global energy supplies and fuel prices, given the situation with the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world's oil passes, Alan Morrissey was joined by Donnacha Ó Beacháin, Associate Professor of Politics at Dublin City University, and Micheál Collins, Assistant Professor of Social Policy at University College Dublin. Image © Getty Images Signature

As war unfolds on the ground in the Middle East, another battle is raging online as convincing AI fakes in the theatre of war are spreading faster than ever. Eileen Culloty, Associate Professor at Dublin City University and Deputy Director of the Institute for Media, Democracy, and Society, joins Pat to discuss how generative AI is transforming information warfare and why traditionally trusted evidence can no longer be taken at face value.

Israel has announced a new wave of "broad-scale" strikes on Tehran as US President Donald Trump said only Iran's unconditional surrender would bring an end to the escalating Middle East war. Joining Pat to discuss further are Lindsey Hilsum, Channel 4 News International Editor and Donnacha Ó Beacháin, Professor of Politics at Dublin City University.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, and Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton TD, have announced almost €6 million in funding to support 32 projects designed to engage the public in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through the Research Ireland Discover Programme. The Research Ireland Discover Programme is a national initiative to widen participation in STEM. This year's projects will engage with people of all ages, from early childhood through to adulthood, through creative, community-embedded and inclusive approaches to STEM engagement. Announcing the awards, Minister Lawless said: "STEM is one of the most powerful forces driving Ireland's creativity, resilience and future prosperity. The projects announced today will widen access to STEM by bringing wonder, curiosity and real opportunities for learning into people's everyday lives. This investment isn't just about supporting programmes – it's about sparking imaginations. It brings conversations about research and innovation directly into our communities and helps nurture a new generation of explorers, problem solvers and innovators who will shape Ireland's future." Welcoming the announcement and her department's funding of six projects, Minister Naughton commented: "Today's funding is about opening doors for our children and young people. By supporting STEM projects both inside and outside the classroom, we are helping children and young people across Ireland to discover that science, technology, engineering and maths are not abstract subjects, but real career paths that they can step into. This investment will ensure more children and young people can see themselves in STEM, build their confidence, and will empower them to pursue it as part of their future." Dr Diarmuid O'Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, added: "The projects funded today highlight the creativity and ambition of Ireland's STEM engagement community, and their commitment to inspiring the next generation of scientists. They are also playing a vital role in helping people of all ages feel informed and connected to the role of STEM research in society. Research Ireland's strategy, launched earlier this week, is built on the three pillars of Talent, Economy and Society. We are proud to support these partners as they deliver programmes to democratise access to STEM across the country, and help support talent for our future economy and society." Some highlights of the 32 projects supported through the Discover Programme this year are: Energize, led by Ann Butler at Junior Achievement Ire Ltd, will target 6th class students in national and DEIS schools to educate them in sustainability, biodiversity and renewable energy, while exposing them to careers in STEM at an early age; The Chemistry Toolbox, led by Dr John O'Donoghue at Trinity College Dublin, will support early-career researchers and teachers to co-create inquiry-based chemistry investigations for the new Leaving Certificate specification, strengthening practical science particularly in DEIS and rural schools; H2O Heroes, led by Dr Caroline Gilleran Stephens at Dundalk Institute of Technology, is a hands-on environmental education programme that empowers communities to investigate water quality, biodiversity and climate action using their local rivers and green spaces as 'outdoor laboratories'; Twelve higher education institutions and 8 organisations are leading projects in this year's Discover programme. These are: Circus250 CIC, Dublin City University, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Education for Sustainability, Irish Computer Society, Irish Manufacturing Research, Junior Achievement Ire Ltd., Kinia, Mary Immaculate College, Maynooth University, National College of Ireland, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, South East Technological University, Stop.watch Television Ltd., Technological University of the Shannon, The National Concert Hall, Trin...

Se non conosciamo la storia dell'Iran, è impossibile capire davvero questa guerra. Ne parliamo con Paola Rivetti, docente di Politica e Relazioni internazionali alla Dublin City University. Storia dell'Iran: Rivoluzione, guerra e resistenza 1979-2025 di Paola Rivetti  Leggi il liveblog del Post, con tutte le notizie aggiornate  Ascolta lo speciale quotidiano di Globo sulla guerra  I consigli di Paola Rivetti– Samarcanda di Amin Maalouf– Children of the Jacaranda Tree di Sahar Delijani– Storia dell'Iran di  Ervand Abrahamian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I speak with Dr David Moran in this week's episode. David is a coach and coach developer in Gaelic games. He is a post-doctoral researcher with the Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics and the School of Health and Human Performance at Dublin City University. We discuss a paper David led which examines grouping players by ability. Following the introduction of formal competition structures, youth sport often features ability grouping, referred to as streaming, for training and competition. In Gaelic games, a set of participatory sports indigenous to Ireland, streaming is commonly used to organize players. Despite its prevalence, streaming in sport has been under-researched. This study explored the experiences and perceptions of players, parents, and coaches across five Gaelic games clubs. It's findings on the advantages and disadvantages of streaming are relevant across all sports and will be of interest to every coach involved in youth sports. 

The University of Galway is proposing to discontinue and replace its general arts course as students are increasingly attracted to “direct routes to employment”.Aisling Murray Fleming, Guidance course director of Dublin City University spoke to us to explain more.

Featuring: Dr Bernadette Whelan, professor emeritus at the School of History and Geography at the University of Limerick; Dr Colum Kenny, Professor Emeritus, Dublin City University; and Prof Eunan O'Halpin, Fellow Emeritus in History at Trinity College Dublin.

Today (24th February) marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine — a war that began in 2014 with the seizure of Crimea and has since become one of the defining geopolitical conflicts of our time. Over the weekend, Ukraine again faced waves of drone and missile attacks, while European foreign ministers meeting in Brussels struggled to agree a new sanctions package. US-brokered talks in Geneva have stalled, and questions remain about what happens next. Meanwhile, Cabinet Ministers are convening, ahead of a special meeting of European leaders to mark four years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Taoiseach Michael Martin is expected to commit to advancing Ukraine's EU membership, when Ireland holds the EU Presidency later this year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address the world later on today, via video link with the European Parliament. To discuss the global political picture and the local impact here in Clare, Alan was joined by Professor Donnacha Ó Beachain of Dublin City University, a native of Newmarket-on-Fergus and expert in post-Soviet politics, and Mariya Nikishanova, originally from Irpin in Ukraine and living in Ennis for more than a decade. Image © Mathias Reding from Pexels via Canva

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has today announced €2.6 million in phased funding for five research teams focused on renewable gas production, energy system integration and intelligent gas network technologies. The co-funded Research Ireland – Gas Networks Ireland Innovation Challenge brings together leading academic researchers with industry expertise to develop practical, scalable solutions for Ireland's future energy needs, while contributing to Ireland's climate and energy security objectives. The five successful teams are working to develop solutions which will improve the efficiency, efficacy and commercial viability of biomethane and biohydrogen production, accelerate the integration of renewable gases into the Irish energy system and develop AI-based solutions for intelligent gas network performance diagnostics. Minister James Lawless said: "I am delighted to announce the first cohort of teams to be co-funded under the Research Ireland – Gas Networks Ireland Innovation Challenge. This €2.6 million investment marks an important step in Ireland's journey toward a climate-neutral future. By bringing academics and industry together, this programme empowers world-class researchers to deliver practical, high-impact solutions in renewable gas and intelligent energy systems. It shows how targeted research investment can accelerate sustainability, bolster our energy security, and position Ireland as a global leader in research-driven innovation." A key aspect of the programme is the close collaboration between researchers and Gas Networks Ireland, ensuring innovations are grounded in real-world system needs. Each team will work with a dedicated Gas Networks Ireland liaison, supporting the development, testing and validation of solutions with the potential for deployment at scale. Dr Diarmuid O'Brien, CEO, Research Ireland, said: "I wish every congratulations to the five teams being funded as part of Research Ireland's partnership with Gas Networks Ireland. The research these teams are undertaking will support Ireland on the path to decarbonisation. Cross-sector collaboration is vital for Ireland to meet its national commitments to be climate-neutral by 2050. The Challenge model of embedding end users into the team and engaging with key stakeholders from the project outset will help ensure that real and tangible impacts are delivered. I look forward to seeing the teams progress their solutions over the coming months." Bobby Gleeson, Chief Operations Officer at Gas Networks Ireland, said: "These projects represent innovation in action – turning cutting-edge research into solutions that can strengthen Ireland's energy system, improve resilience and support our journey to net zero. Supporting key research through our Gas Innovation Fund and working directly with these teams allows us to accelerate the development of technologies that will help decarbonise Ireland's gas network while enabling the integration of renewable gases at scale." Teams being awarded funding are as follows (alphabetical by team name): BIOGRID: Biogas Methanation to Grid-quality Biomethane using Intensified Reactors Lead: Professor Vivek Ranade, University of Limerick; Co-Lead: Dr Recep Dereli, University College Dublin DIGIGAS – AGeoAI-Powered Digital Twin of Ireland's Renewable Gas Infrastructure for Dynamic Decarbonisation Planning Lead: Dr Abdalkarim Gharbia, Atlantic Technological University; Co-Lead: Dr Nasim Eslamirad, University College Dublin ALgas:Innovative macroalgal biorefining and social licensing for new biomethane production for Ireland Lead: Dr Gavin Collins, University of Galway; Co-Lead: Dr Edel Doherty, University of Galway O.P.P.O.R.T.U.N.I.T.Y. – Optimised Processes for ProductionOfRenewable Technologies Using NanomaterialsInTargeted Yield Lead: Dr Conor Boland, Dublin City University; Co-Lead: Dr James Carton, Dublin City University ReGasIn- Stakeholder co-created Scenari...

In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, lions, tigers and even elephants toured towns and cities across Ireland. Long before modern zoos, travelling menageries brought wild animals from across the globe into marketplaces, fairgrounds and urban streets. For many people, this was their first encounter with creatures they had only ever seen in books or sermons.In this episode, I'm joined by historian Karina Holton to explore the fascinating and largely forgotten history of Irish menageries between 1790 and 1840. We discuss what these exhibitions were, how they differed from circuses and modern zoos, and what it was actually like to visit one. What animals could audiences expect to see?We also examine the controversies surrounding these shows. Not everyone welcomed them. There were dramatic incidents involving escapes and attacks, concerns about public safety, and growing criticism around animal welfare.Sound by Kate Dunlea.About My GuestKarina Holton completed her PhD at Dublin City University and has published widely on eighteenth and nineteenth century Ireland. She is the author of Valentine Lawless, Lord Cloncurry, 1773 to 1853: From United Irishman to Liberal Politician. https://www.fourcourtspress.ie/books/2018/valentine-lawless-lord-cloncurryThis episode is inspired by her article:‘A Most Curious Collection of Foreign Beasts': Menageries in Ireland, 1790 to 1840. You can read it here https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/24DB1506CB06E117BEA2C1819FC312AA/S0021121425100916a.pdf/most_curious_collection_of_foreign_beasts_menageries_in_ireland_17901840.pdf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is brought to you by the BISA Environment and Climate Politics Working Group. African Climate Futures (Oxford UP, 2025) shows how climate-changed futures are imagined in Africa and by Africans, and how these future visions shape political debates and struggles in the present. Scientific climate scenarios forecast bleak futures, with increased droughts, floods, lethal heatwaves, sea level rises, declining crop yields, and greater exposure to vector-borne diseases. Yet, African climate futures could also encompass energy transitions and socio-economic revolutions, transformed political agency and human subjectivities, and radically reparative more-than-human climate politics. At the heart of the book is an original and interdisciplinary approach. It studies official climate policy strategies and fictional texts side-by-side, as ecopolitical imaginaries that envision low-carbon, climate-changed futures, and narrate pathways from 'here' to 'there'. It discusses net zero strategies from Ethiopia, The Gambia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe and draws on postcolonial, feminist, and queer theory, arguing that Africanfuturist climate fiction can inspire more radical, reparative, more-than-human ecopolitical imaginaries. These stories can help us to understand the debts we all owe, imagine what reparations might entail, and explore the contours of living convivially alongside more-than-human others in heterotopian, climate-changed futures. Stories can help explore how we might feel in climate-changed futures and can help us to narrate a path through them. This book uses Africanfuturist climate fiction to inspire new ways of challenging and enriching theoretical debates in global climate change politics, including how we understand the places, temporalities, ecologies, and politics of climate futures. If we want to survive to tell new stories in liveable futures then we need to urgently and radically transform carboniferous capitalism. Carl Death joined the University of Manchester in August 2013 as a Senior Lecturer in International Political Economy, after four years in the Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University, and a year in the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University. He has conducted research in South Africa, Tanzania and the USA, and has held visiting researcher positions at The MacMillan Centre for International and Area Studies and the Agrarian Studies Program at Yale University; the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WISER) at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg; Stellenbosch University; and the Centre for Civil Society (CCS) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban. Pauline Heinrichs is a Lecturer in War Studies (Climate and Energy) at King's College London. Her research focuses climate and energy security. Pauline has worked with and led international teams in conflict and post-conflict countries such as Ukraine and the Baltic States, leading on qualitative methods and strategic narrative analysis. Pauline has also been a climate diplomacy professional working in foreign policy, and an international climate think tank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

This episode is brought to you by the BISA Environment and Climate Politics Working Group. African Climate Futures (Oxford UP, 2025) shows how climate-changed futures are imagined in Africa and by Africans, and how these future visions shape political debates and struggles in the present. Scientific climate scenarios forecast bleak futures, with increased droughts, floods, lethal heatwaves, sea level rises, declining crop yields, and greater exposure to vector-borne diseases. Yet, African climate futures could also encompass energy transitions and socio-economic revolutions, transformed political agency and human subjectivities, and radically reparative more-than-human climate politics. At the heart of the book is an original and interdisciplinary approach. It studies official climate policy strategies and fictional texts side-by-side, as ecopolitical imaginaries that envision low-carbon, climate-changed futures, and narrate pathways from 'here' to 'there'. It discusses net zero strategies from Ethiopia, The Gambia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe and draws on postcolonial, feminist, and queer theory, arguing that Africanfuturist climate fiction can inspire more radical, reparative, more-than-human ecopolitical imaginaries. These stories can help us to understand the debts we all owe, imagine what reparations might entail, and explore the contours of living convivially alongside more-than-human others in heterotopian, climate-changed futures. Stories can help explore how we might feel in climate-changed futures and can help us to narrate a path through them. This book uses Africanfuturist climate fiction to inspire new ways of challenging and enriching theoretical debates in global climate change politics, including how we understand the places, temporalities, ecologies, and politics of climate futures. If we want to survive to tell new stories in liveable futures then we need to urgently and radically transform carboniferous capitalism. Carl Death joined the University of Manchester in August 2013 as a Senior Lecturer in International Political Economy, after four years in the Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University, and a year in the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University. He has conducted research in South Africa, Tanzania and the USA, and has held visiting researcher positions at The MacMillan Centre for International and Area Studies and the Agrarian Studies Program at Yale University; the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WISER) at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg; Stellenbosch University; and the Centre for Civil Society (CCS) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban. Pauline Heinrichs is a Lecturer in War Studies (Climate and Energy) at King's College London. Her research focuses climate and energy security. Pauline has worked with and led international teams in conflict and post-conflict countries such as Ukraine and the Baltic States, leading on qualitative methods and strategic narrative analysis. Pauline has also been a climate diplomacy professional working in foreign policy, and an international climate think tank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory

This episode is brought to you by the BISA Environment and Climate Politics Working Group. African Climate Futures (Oxford UP, 2025) shows how climate-changed futures are imagined in Africa and by Africans, and how these future visions shape political debates and struggles in the present. Scientific climate scenarios forecast bleak futures, with increased droughts, floods, lethal heatwaves, sea level rises, declining crop yields, and greater exposure to vector-borne diseases. Yet, African climate futures could also encompass energy transitions and socio-economic revolutions, transformed political agency and human subjectivities, and radically reparative more-than-human climate politics. At the heart of the book is an original and interdisciplinary approach. It studies official climate policy strategies and fictional texts side-by-side, as ecopolitical imaginaries that envision low-carbon, climate-changed futures, and narrate pathways from 'here' to 'there'. It discusses net zero strategies from Ethiopia, The Gambia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe and draws on postcolonial, feminist, and queer theory, arguing that Africanfuturist climate fiction can inspire more radical, reparative, more-than-human ecopolitical imaginaries. These stories can help us to understand the debts we all owe, imagine what reparations might entail, and explore the contours of living convivially alongside more-than-human others in heterotopian, climate-changed futures. Stories can help explore how we might feel in climate-changed futures and can help us to narrate a path through them. This book uses Africanfuturist climate fiction to inspire new ways of challenging and enriching theoretical debates in global climate change politics, including how we understand the places, temporalities, ecologies, and politics of climate futures. If we want to survive to tell new stories in liveable futures then we need to urgently and radically transform carboniferous capitalism. Carl Death joined the University of Manchester in August 2013 as a Senior Lecturer in International Political Economy, after four years in the Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University, and a year in the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University. He has conducted research in South Africa, Tanzania and the USA, and has held visiting researcher positions at The MacMillan Centre for International and Area Studies and the Agrarian Studies Program at Yale University; the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WISER) at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg; Stellenbosch University; and the Centre for Civil Society (CCS) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban. Pauline Heinrichs is a Lecturer in War Studies (Climate and Energy) at King's College London. Her research focuses climate and energy security. Pauline has worked with and led international teams in conflict and post-conflict countries such as Ukraine and the Baltic States, leading on qualitative methods and strategic narrative analysis. Pauline has also been a climate diplomacy professional working in foreign policy, and an international climate think tank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/african-studies

This episode is brought to you by the BISA Environment and Climate Politics Working Group. African Climate Futures (Oxford UP, 2025) shows how climate-changed futures are imagined in Africa and by Africans, and how these future visions shape political debates and struggles in the present. Scientific climate scenarios forecast bleak futures, with increased droughts, floods, lethal heatwaves, sea level rises, declining crop yields, and greater exposure to vector-borne diseases. Yet, African climate futures could also encompass energy transitions and socio-economic revolutions, transformed political agency and human subjectivities, and radically reparative more-than-human climate politics. At the heart of the book is an original and interdisciplinary approach. It studies official climate policy strategies and fictional texts side-by-side, as ecopolitical imaginaries that envision low-carbon, climate-changed futures, and narrate pathways from 'here' to 'there'. It discusses net zero strategies from Ethiopia, The Gambia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe and draws on postcolonial, feminist, and queer theory, arguing that Africanfuturist climate fiction can inspire more radical, reparative, more-than-human ecopolitical imaginaries. These stories can help us to understand the debts we all owe, imagine what reparations might entail, and explore the contours of living convivially alongside more-than-human others in heterotopian, climate-changed futures. Stories can help explore how we might feel in climate-changed futures and can help us to narrate a path through them. This book uses Africanfuturist climate fiction to inspire new ways of challenging and enriching theoretical debates in global climate change politics, including how we understand the places, temporalities, ecologies, and politics of climate futures. If we want to survive to tell new stories in liveable futures then we need to urgently and radically transform carboniferous capitalism. Carl Death joined the University of Manchester in August 2013 as a Senior Lecturer in International Political Economy, after four years in the Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University, and a year in the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University. He has conducted research in South Africa, Tanzania and the USA, and has held visiting researcher positions at The MacMillan Centre for International and Area Studies and the Agrarian Studies Program at Yale University; the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WISER) at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg; Stellenbosch University; and the Centre for Civil Society (CCS) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban. Pauline Heinrichs is a Lecturer in War Studies (Climate and Energy) at King's College London. Her research focuses climate and energy security. Pauline has worked with and led international teams in conflict and post-conflict countries such as Ukraine and the Baltic States, leading on qualitative methods and strategic narrative analysis. Pauline has also been a climate diplomacy professional working in foreign policy, and an international climate think tank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies

This episode is brought to you by the BISA Environment and Climate Politics Working Group. African Climate Futures (Oxford UP, 2025) shows how climate-changed futures are imagined in Africa and by Africans, and how these future visions shape political debates and struggles in the present. Scientific climate scenarios forecast bleak futures, with increased droughts, floods, lethal heatwaves, sea level rises, declining crop yields, and greater exposure to vector-borne diseases. Yet, African climate futures could also encompass energy transitions and socio-economic revolutions, transformed political agency and human subjectivities, and radically reparative more-than-human climate politics. At the heart of the book is an original and interdisciplinary approach. It studies official climate policy strategies and fictional texts side-by-side, as ecopolitical imaginaries that envision low-carbon, climate-changed futures, and narrate pathways from 'here' to 'there'. It discusses net zero strategies from Ethiopia, The Gambia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe and draws on postcolonial, feminist, and queer theory, arguing that Africanfuturist climate fiction can inspire more radical, reparative, more-than-human ecopolitical imaginaries. These stories can help us to understand the debts we all owe, imagine what reparations might entail, and explore the contours of living convivially alongside more-than-human others in heterotopian, climate-changed futures. Stories can help explore how we might feel in climate-changed futures and can help us to narrate a path through them. This book uses Africanfuturist climate fiction to inspire new ways of challenging and enriching theoretical debates in global climate change politics, including how we understand the places, temporalities, ecologies, and politics of climate futures. If we want to survive to tell new stories in liveable futures then we need to urgently and radically transform carboniferous capitalism. Carl Death joined the University of Manchester in August 2013 as a Senior Lecturer in International Political Economy, after four years in the Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University, and a year in the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University. He has conducted research in South Africa, Tanzania and the USA, and has held visiting researcher positions at The MacMillan Centre for International and Area Studies and the Agrarian Studies Program at Yale University; the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WISER) at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg; Stellenbosch University; and the Centre for Civil Society (CCS) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban. Pauline Heinrichs is a Lecturer in War Studies (Climate and Energy) at King's College London. Her research focuses climate and energy security. Pauline has worked with and led international teams in conflict and post-conflict countries such as Ukraine and the Baltic States, leading on qualitative methods and strategic narrative analysis. Pauline has also been a climate diplomacy professional working in foreign policy, and an international climate think tank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/book-of-the-day

‘AI-assisted mammograms result in fewer aggressive and advanced breast cancer', according to a new study which used AI in 200,000 breast exams from various institutions in more than 10 countries. Joining Shane and Ciara was Suzanne Little, Professor in the School of Computing at Dublin City University.

One in four corporate employees self-identify or have been diagnosed as neurodivergent, according to new research from the Institute of Education at Dublin City University. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was CEO of As I am Ireland Autism Charity, Adam Harris.

 Upcoming EventsSinn Féin's Commission on the Future of Ireland is hosting a People's Assembly in Cork.  The event will take place on Thursday  19th of February 7pm at the Rochestown Park Hotel. Join the discussion on a new Ireland, how it could be achieved and what it might look like. The conversation will be led by an independent chair and panel which will be announced soon. You can register to attend on Eventbrite or at the venue on the night.  South & East Belfast Sinn Féin is hosting an evening discussion on what a world class, all-Ireland health system could look like and how we make it a reality. Chaired by Deirdre Hargey MLA, with Guest speaker David Cullinane TD and joined by panellists from across the health sector. The event will take place on the 12th of February 7pm at the Malone Lodge.  Kitson Praises Paras in BallymurphyI recently came across the autobiography of British General Sir Frank Kitson which was published last year shortly after his death. It is titled ‘Intelligent Warfare' an oxymoron in any language. In truth it is an account of British military failures through several colonial wars in which Kitson fought, including in Ireland. It is also a reflection of Kitson's enormous personal ego.Kitson came to prominence within the British military hierarchy in the 1950s during its efforts to crush the independence rebellion in Kenya. He established counter-gangs that tortured and killed Kenyan civilians. The groups were made up of British soldiers, including Kitson on occasion, and former members of those fighting against British rule. Tens of thousands of Kenyans ended up in over 150 detention camps where they were brutalized. An estimated 30,000 Kenyans were killed; one and a half million were interned; torture was commonplace and 1090 were hanged.While Kitson boasts of his role in the counter-gangs he ignores the human rights violations that underpinned British strategy in that African country.In 1970 he took command of the 39th Brigade – which covered Belfast and surrounding region. In the same year he published ‘Low Intensity Operations' which quickly became the standard text book for the British Army's counter-insurgency strategy in the following decades. A Raffle for Jim Fitzpatrick limited edition printThe Moore Street Preservation Trust is raffling our hugely popular Elizabeth O'Farrell print - a unique, framed print designed and signed by the renowned Irish artist Jim Fitzpatrick. Míle buiochas Jim.  The draw will take place on Good Friday, 3 April 2026.Tickets are €5 / £5 and they can be bought at: msptshop.myshopify.com Public Media IrelandLast week a report entitled, ‘Public Media Ireland: a New PSM (Public Service Media) Organisation for a New Country' was published in Belfast. The report – a joint project by Dublin City University and Ulster University – recommends the setting up of a new public service media organisation, Public Media Ireland, if citizens  ote yes in the referendum for constitutional change.Susan McKay, the Press Ombudsman, chaired the event. The four authors of the report, Dawn Wheatley, Roddy Flynn, Stephen Baker and Phil Ramsey, shared their vision of a Public Se

Maintaining the ability to carry out everyday tasks and live independently is often described as a cornerstone of healthy ageing. But what actually happens to muscle strength, power, and functional ability as we get older? And how inevitable is their decline? At what point do changes in muscle function really begin to matter for day-to-day life? Is loss of strength an unavoidable consequence of ageing itself, or does it reflect something more modifiable? If declines are not fixed, what kinds of training or lifestyle interventions genuinely make a difference, and how strong is the evidence behind them? In this episode, exercise physiologist Dr Brendan Egan examines these questions through the lens of both epidemiological data and controlled training studies in older adults. What do we learn from short-term resistance training interventions lasting just a few months? Do the gains persist once supervised training ends? And what does this tell us about the practical challenges of maintaining functional capacity over the long term? The conversation also explores the idea of "use it or lose it" in muscle function, the role of resistance training in extending healthspan, and how exercise programmes can be designed to support independence later in life. Ultimately, the episode asks a simple but crucial question: what does the evidence actually say about staying strong, capable, and functionally independent as we age? Dr. Brendan Egan is an Associate Professor of Sport and Exercise Physiology the School of Health and Human Performance at Dublin City University. Currently, he is Associate Dean for Research in the Faculty of Science and Health. Timestamps [03:49] Understanding functional capacity [05:56] The importance of muscle strength and mass [14:09] Epidemiology and strength training [25:07] Concurrent training in older adults study [31:05] Barriers to strength training in older adults [34:18] Misconceptions about older adults and exercise [39:13] Exercise snacking and SBAE [51:04] Key ideas segment (Premium-only) Links & Resources Go to episode page (with links to studies) Join the Sigma email newsletter for free Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy course

grove & grit launches with local restoration in Hilltop, Dublin Bay oyster recovery, UN World Restoration Flagships, and an ecological reckoning on war, climate, and accountability — plus two essential upcoming reads from Emma Marris and Clare Follmann. This episode is released during the week of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's birthday, grounding restoration work in a shared ethic of collective liberation. Local Action (Tacoma) Tacoma Tree Foundation - Green Blocks: Hilltop A neighborhood-based urban forestry program supporting residents with tree selection, permits, delivery, and planting assistance.

Ieri Donald Trump ha cominciato la giornata minacciando di invocare l'Insurrection Act, una legge del 1807 che consente al presidente di usare le forze armate sul territorio nazionale quando è in corso una rivolta contro il governo federale. Da quando a Minneapolis un agente dell'ICE ha ucciso Renee Nicole Good, in città ci sono state infatti molte manifestazioni che spesso sono sfociate in scontri tra agenti federali e cittadini. Ne parliamo con Mario Del Pero, docente a Sciences Po.Mentre in Iran continuano le proteste, il governo degli Ayatollah ha minacciato di privare i cittadini di Internet fino al mese di marzo. Ne parliamo con Paola Rivetti, professoressa di Politica e relazioni internazionali presso la School of Law and Government della Dublin City University.

“Congestion charges won't be popular, but they are our only way out of a jam” so wrote Sunday Independent Columnist, Eoin O'Malley, Associate Professor in political science at the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University. Eoin explained all to Newstalk Breakfast.

Dr. Roddy Flynn, Associate Professor at the School of Communications at Dublin City University, discusses a new report which advocates for the creation of a new public service broadcaster, in the event of a united Ireland.

Il regime iraniano ha intensificato la repressione delle grandi manifestazioni cominciata a Teheran alla fine di dicembre, ma i manifestanti non si fermano. Con Paola Rivetti, scienze politiche e relazioni internazionali alla Dublin City University.Dopo più un anno di detenzione arbitraria nel carcere di massima sicurezza El Rodeo, alla periferia di Caracas, in Venezuela, il cooperante italiano Alberto Trentini è stato liberato nelle prime ore del 12 gennaio. Con Anna Meli, giornalista e presidente del CospeOggi parliamo anche di:Romania • “In giro per il mondo a imparare il mestiere” di Oana Filip.https://www.internazionale.it/magazine/oana-filip/2026/01/08/in-giro-per-il-mondo-a-imparare-il-mestiereRaiPlay • Trentaminutigiovani, con Kabir Bedi, a cura di Enzo Balboni, su RaiTechehttps://www.teche.rai.it/2026/01/kabir-bedi-sandokan/Ci piacerebbe sapere cosa pensi di questo episodio. Scrivici a podcast@internazionale.it Se ascolti questo podcast e ti piace, abbonati a Internazionale. È un modo concreto per sostenerci e per aiutarci a garantire ogni giorno un'informazione di qualità. Vai su internazionale.it/abbonatiConsulenza editoriale di Chiara NielsenProduzione di Claudio Balboni e Vincenzo De SimoneMusiche di Tommaso Colliva e Raffaele ScognaDirezione creativa di Jonathan ZentiCi piacerebbe sapere cosa pensi di questo episodio. Scrivici a podcast@internazionale.it Se ascolti questo podcast e ti piace, abbonati a Internazionale. È un modo concreto per sostenerci e per aiutarci a garantire ogni giorno un'informazione di qualità. Vai su internazionale.it/abbonatiConsulenza editoriale di Chiara NielsenProduzione di Claudio Balboni e Vincenzo De SimoneMusiche di Tommaso Colliva e Raffaele ScognaDirezione creativa di Jonathan Zenti

The Iranian foreign minister claims the ongoing anti-government protests in the country are now under 'total control'. More than 500 people have reportedly been killed so far, while more than 10,000 have been arrested. US President Donald Trump says Tehran reached out to him to negotiate, after he threatened military action over its handling of the demonstrations. The White House press secretary says Donald Trump is not afraid to use military power in Iran. He's announced 25 percent tariffs for any goods arriving in America from a country that still does business with Iran, following a brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters. That could impact Ireland which exports pharmaceuticals and some foods to Iran. Donald Trump's threat of military action follows US forces' capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in an operation in the country's capital Caracas earlier this month. The US President also threatening Greenland, insisting his country needs it for national security reasons, and that ownership of Greenland is 'psychologically important' for him, could Donald Trump's action set the world on a path to global conflict? On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Donnacha Ó'Beacháin, Newmarket-On-Fergus native and Professor of Politics at Dublin City University and Neil Robinson, Professor of Comparative Politics at UHL. Photo (c) Map Iran by yorkfoto from Getty Images Signature via Canva

Il controllo statunitense delle riserve di petrolio venezuelane potrebbe incidere profondamente sugli equilibri globali, rafforzando il peso di Washington sul mercato del petrolio e influenzando prezzi, alleanze e rapporti di forza tra le grandi potenze. Con Camilla Desideri, editor di America Latina di Internazionale, e Alessandro Lubello, editor di economia di Internazionale. Le proteste contro il carovita cominciate il 28 dicembre a Teheran si sono estese ad altre regioni del paese e la repressione del governo ha già provocato decine di morti e più di cento arresti. Con Paola Rivetti, docente di scienze politiche e relazioni internazionali alla Dublin City University.Oggi parliamo anche di:Rubrica • "Il consulente etico" di Kwame Anthony Appiahhttps://www.internazionale.it/tag/il-consulente-eticoMusica • The unreleased recordings (Decca Masters and Radio Tapes 1970-2002) di Radu Lupu (Decca)Ci piacerebbe sapere cosa pensi di questo episodio. Scrivici a podcast@internazionale.it Se ascolti questo podcast e ti piace, abbonati a Internazionale. È un modo concreto per sostenerci e per aiutarci a garantire ogni giorno un'informazione di qualità. Vai su internazionale.it/abbonatiConsulenza editoriale di Chiara NielsenProduzione di Claudio Balboni e Vincenzo De SimoneMusiche di Tommaso Colliva e Raffaele ScognaDirezione creativa di Jonathan ZentiCi piacerebbe sapere cosa pensi di questo episodio. Scrivici a podcast@internazionale.it Se ascolti questo podcast e ti piace, abbonati a Internazionale. È un modo concreto per sostenerci e per aiutarci a garantire ogni giorno un'informazione di qualità. Vai su internazionale.it/abbonatiConsulenza editoriale di Chiara NielsenProduzione di Claudio Balboni e Vincenzo De SimoneMusiche di Tommaso Colliva e Raffaele ScognaDirezione creativa di Jonathan Zenti

The US president Donald Trump has warned the Islamic militant group Hamas that it would have hell to pay if it did not disarm while hosting Israel's prime minister at his Florida home on Monday evening. We spoke to Dr Christian Kaunert, Professor of International Security at Dublin City University, for a detailed analysis.

Democracy in the UK is under strain. Many voters feel deeply alienated from politics, believing that those elected to represent them often pursue narrow or personal interests rather than the public good. Political polarisation, intensified by changes in the media landscape, is undermining constructive debate. And for many citizens, it can feel as though money (rather than votes) is what really speaks loudest in politics.Against this backdrop, there is growing interest in how democratic systems might be reformed to function better and become more resilient. A wide range of proposals has emerged, tackling different aspects of democratic decline. While we can't cover them all in a single episode, today's discussion focuses on two specific reform ideas explored in recent articles published in the journal The Political Quarterly.The first examines the role of donations to political parties, asking how political finance shapes power, influence, and public trust in the democratic system. The second looks at the position of smaller parties in the House of Commons, exploring how parliamentary procedures affect their ability to contribute meaningfully to debate and scrutiny.To discuss these ideas, we're joined by the authors of both pieces:Iain McMenamin, Professor of Comparative Politics at Dublin City University, is an expert on political finance and co-author of the article on party donations.Louise Thompson, Senior Lecturer in Politics at the University of Manchester, is a leading scholar of parliamentary politics and the author of the study on the role of small parties in the Commons.Together, we explore whether reforming party funding and giving smaller parties a stronger voice in Parliament could help rebuild trust, improve representation, and strengthen UK democracy.Mentioned in this episode:‘Unbroken, but Dangerous: The UK's Political Finance Regime and the Rationale for Reform', by Logan De la Torre, Kevin Fahey, and Iain McMenamin 'Modernising the House: Why the 2024 Parliament Highlights the Need to Formalise Party-Group Rights in the House of Commons', by Louise Thompson.  UCL's Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy offers a uniquely stimulating environment for the study of all fields of politics, including international relations, political theory, human rights, public policy-making and administration. The Department is recognised for its world-class research and policy impact, ranking among the top departments in the UK on both the 2021 Research Excellence Framework and the latest Guardian rankings.

Concerns have been raised for young up-and-coming fashion designers in this country who may find themselves ill-equipped to deal with the threats to their intellectual property, which can see major retailers copying their designs and reproducing them to the masses…So, what can be done?Lecturer Dr Paul Davis from Dublin City University joins Seán to discuss.

Featuring: Dáithí O'Ceallaigh, former Irish diplomat who served as Irish Ambassador in London, involved in framing and operating the agreement; Eoin O'Malley, Associate Professor in Political Science at the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University and author of ‘Charlie Vs Garret: The rivalry that shaped modern Ireland'; and Daniel Mulhall, former Irish diplomat and a former Ambassador of Ireland to the UK and the US.