Podcasts about University College Cork

For the latest Evelyn O'Rourke, Arts and media correspondent and Finola Doyle O'Neill, broadcast and legal historian at University College Cork.

The Nimbus Research Centre at Munster Technological University (MTU), working through the ENTIRE European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH), part of a national programme helping businesses and public bodies adopt new digital technologies, has helped a Cork-based entrepreneur turn a simple recycling idea into an immersive virtual reality (VR) education product and a new business, Envir-Aware Ltd. Working through ENTIRE EDIH and drawing on Nimbus' digital transformation expertise, the MTU team supported Cork entrepreneur Jim Mulcahy in developing Enviro-Bin-Aware, a VR training app that teaches correct sorting and deposit-return choices through short, game-style levels. Jim Mulcahy of Envir-Aware spotted a simple but costly problem, which was that bin colours mean different things. At his home, the burgundy bin is for recycling and the green bin is for general waste, the opposite to the national 'MyWaste' scheme, where black denotes general waste and green denotes clean, dry recyclables. Discussing the journey from idea to innovation with the Nimbus Research Centre, Jim said: "Through our research we found there is obvious widespread confusion when it comes to domestic waste management with the array of multicoloured wheelie bins out there. The attitude and support from the entire Nimbus team was brilliant: there's no such thing as 'we can't' with them. I couldn't say enough about them. They backed my idea, iterated it with me, and brought the technical know-how to bring our Enviro-Bin-Aware VR App to fruition. Nimbus developing the Enviro-Bin-Aware VR app didn't just help our digital transformation; it has created a whole new business opportunity for my company. People were absolutely blown away by the power of the interactive environmental message they were left with. Apart from the many hours of research, workshops & working closely with the Nimbus team, our overall investment has been quite low." Early demonstrations of the Enviro-Bin-Aware VR app have generated strong interest in pilot projects and wider regional roll-outs. Envir-Aware are also delivering their first Enviro-Bin-Aware VR app presentation to a large Cork-based multinational corporation, and a group of Cork County Libraries. Brian Cahill, Nimbus EI TEC Gateway Manager, said: "ENTIRE lets organisations de-risk digital projects through scoping, prototyping and pilot testing. That approach accelerated this concept from storyboard to working VR tool." ENTIRE supports are offered within a time-bound funding envelope. For SMEs, support is provided under the de minimis state aid rules and draws on the company's available de minimis allocation. For public sector organisations, support is fully subsidised, subject to eligibility. With demand increasing, MTU encourages organisations to make contact promptly to confirm eligibility and secure support within the current window. ENTIRE is fully funded by Enterprise Ireland and led by Tyndall National Institute, with consortium partners including Walton Institute, Munster Technological University, University College Cork and Skillnet Ireland.

Brian Turner, Health Economist at the Business School in University College Cork and Head of Communications with Bonkers.IE – Darragh Cassidy discuss the recent health insurance hikes announcements.

Technology to improve rowing athletes' performances, zero-waste clothing design, and a safer and more comfortable Intrauterine Device (IUD) were among the start-ups highlighted at this year's University College Cork's IGNITE Autumn Showcase. The third-level graduates supported by the university's flagship incubation programme began working on their ideas this year and are hoping to develop them into a company with the assistance of IGNITE. The 2025 Autumn Showcase follows IGNITE's recent success in securing a €1 million Higher Education Authority (HEA) Award for exemplary performance and impact. The HEA evaluated Impact Assessment Case Studies, which were submitted by higher education institutions earlier this year. IGNITE emerged as one of five winning submissions. IGNITE is based at UCC and is open to anyone who has graduated from a third-level institution in recent years and has the passion and ambition to work on an idea that has the potential for economic, environmental or social impact. The annual showcase gives the IGNITE participants an opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs and potential investors. IGNITE has supported nearly 250 founders since it was established in 2011. The programme is a joint initiative by Cork City Council, Cork County Council, the Local Enterprise Offices of Cork City, South Cork and North and West Cork and University College Cork. Eamon Curtin, Director of IGNITE, said: "We are proud at IGNITE to support talented founders in developing their innovative business ideas into scalable and sustainable start-ups that deliver real social and economic value. The HEA Award is a testament to not only the great work carried out by our community of entrepreneurs, but also to the support provided to us by the Local Enterprise Offices, Cork County Council, Cork City Council and Bank of Ireland, without whom the programme would not be possible." Among the 14 start-ups currently supported by University College Cork's IGNITE Start-Up Incubation Programme are: Roteq - founded by Will Gunnarson and Sam O'Neill. Roteq empowers rowing athletes to reach their full potential by providing actionable insights into their performance. By processing data from a phone's built-in sensors, the programme delivers real-time performance metrics. These quantifiable metrics allow instant feedback and tracking of an athlete's technical and physiological progress on the water, making it easier than ever to achieve their goals. The Zero Waster - founded by Sarah O'Neill. Sarah is a designer whose work is grounded in the principles of regenerative design. With a deep-rooted respect for natural materials, traditional craftsmanship, and environmental responsibility, Sarah challenges the norms of the fashion industry through innovative reuse and transparency. Creating unique, wearable pieces from reclaimed and natural materials, showing that waste can be reimagined without compromising creativity or quality. Elithiya - founded by Isabelle Curran. Isabelle is a Product Design & Technology graduate from the University of Limerick and the founder of Elithiya, a women's health innovation focused on redesigning the intrauterine device (IUD) experience. Over the past year, she has collaborated with clinicians, FemTech founders, and patients worldwide to identify gaps in reproductive healthcare and develop a softer, more informed IUD insertion experience through redesigned tools and supportive digital technology. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie no...

Today is World Philosophy Day. Seán's guest believes that philosophy should be taught in Irish schools, just as it is in Italy, France and Germany, but why?Vittorio Bufacchi, from the Philosophy Department at University College Cork, joins to discuss…

Today is World Philosophy Day. Seán's guest believes that philosophy should be taught in Irish schools, just as it is in Italy, France and Germany, but why?Vittorio Bufacchi, from the Philosophy Department at University College Cork, joins to discuss…

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has announced funding of over €3.5 million for 16 research projects under Research Ireland's COALESCE (Collaborative Alliances for Societal Challenges) 2025 programme. COALESCE supports excellent, interdisciplinary research that addresses national and global societal challenges by fostering collaboration between researchers and policymakers, civil society, and enterprise. Announcing the awards, Minister Lawless said: "Harnessing the power of research is key to tackling the most pressing challenges facing our society. These awards are not just about academic excellence - they are about delivering real, tangible benefits for people and communities. Whether it's supporting survivors of gender-based violence, driving climate action, or safeguarding our cultural heritage, these projects will make a meaningful difference. This is research with purpose, and I commend all the awardees for their dedication to the public good." Dr Diarmuid O'Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, commented: "The projects being announced today bring together diverse disciplines, communities, and policy partners to co-create knowledge that matters. We are proud to support projects that amplify underrepresented voices and tackle issues that are often overlooked. These research projects are advancing knowledge, sustainability, justice, and inclusion." Two of the projects are funded by Cuan: The Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) Agency, under a newly-launched strategic strand. Dr Stephanie O'Keeffe, Cuan CEO, stated: "Cuan is delighted to partner with Research Ireland to establish a new research funding strand for COALESCE 2025, dedicated to Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence research. A key objective for Cuan is to strengthen the existing knowledge base and build an evidence-informed response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, informed by the lived experience of victim-survivors. In this regard, the creation of this important research strand is of great significance to Cuan. "Given so many academic disciplines are of relevance to the study of domestic and sexual violence, Research Ireland's COALESCE funding strand provides a rich opportunity to support action and policy-oriented research, providing much-needed insights for policy makers and practitioners, and improving outcomes for victims and survivors." Funded projects include: Lived Realities: The first Irish study to explore the lived experiences of victim-survivors in sexual offence trials, aiming to inform future legal reforms (Dr Susan Leahy, University of Limerick) - funded by Cuan. Faith-Inclusive and Culturally Competent Responses to Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV): Addressing Systemic Barriers for Muslim Women in Ireland (FATIHA) (Prof. Roja Fazaeli, University of Galway) - funded by Cuan Canúint.ie: Developing a digital platform to preserve and share Ireland's regional Irish dialects through searchable audio archives (Dr Úna Bhreathnach and Prof. Tomás Ward, Dublin City University). AI and Dropout: Using AI to identify factors contributing to student dropout in STEM fields, aiming to inform national education policy (Dr Jason Power and Prof. David Tanner, University of Limerick). Bridging Landscapes: Co-creating climate resilience strategies with communities in Dingle and Balbriggan through a design justice approach (Dr Fiona Murphy and Prof. Fiona Regan, Dublin City University). Minimal Curation: Using energy-efficient digital tools to help communities ethically preserve and manage their own cultural materials (Dr James O'Sullivan, University College Cork, and Dr Susan Rea, Munster Technological University). RENOVATE healthcare: Evaluating the effectiveness of different treatments for depression to support affordable care tailored to the Irish health system (Prof. Frank Doyle and Dr Fiona Boland, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences). The ...

Professor Louise Crowley is well-known as a professor in family law at University College Cork and director of the Bystander Intervention Programme, but many people may not know that she has suffered from lupus since she was 17 years old. Louise joins The Last Word to talk about her experience of living with this crippling auto-immune disease.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, TD, has announced €34.5 million in funding to support 39 cutting-edge research projects. Announcing the awards, Minister Lawless said: "We are investing in cutting-edge, curiosity-driven research, and empowering individual researchers to progress bold ideas that can lead to groundbreaking discoveries. These awards demonstrate our dedication to building a diverse and inclusive research community that delivers impact for our society and economy. I look forward to seeing the development and outputs of these projects over the coming years." Dr Diarmuid O'Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, commented: "Research Ireland's Frontiers for the Future Programme has, at its core, the exploration of high-risk, high-reward ideas, and the building of collaborative teams that produce excellent research. We are proud to be partnering with Children's Health Foundation, Breakthrough Cancer Research, and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and supporting 66 PhD students, 47 postdoctoral researchers, and 13 other research positions." This year's Frontiers for the Future Programme was co-funded by Children's Health Foundation, Breakthrough Cancer Research, and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, who collectively contributed €2.8 million to the programme. Fionnuala O Leary, CEO, Children's Health Foundation, commented: "Children's Health Foundation is extremely proud to support the Frontiers for the Future Programme which empowers researchers to pursue innovative ideas which have the potential to transform outcomes for sick children. None of this can be achieved without the incredible generosity of the Foundation's supporters who trust us to invest in the next generation of scientific discovery and helping to drive meaningful, lasting impact for sick children". Orla Dolan, CEO of Breakthrough Cancer Research said, "Breakthrough Cancer Research focuses our research investment on the lowest survival cancers because we urgently need smarter, kinder, and more effective treatments to improve survival. We are thrilled to partner with Research Ireland to support bold, creative new ideas and researchers to meet the urgent needs of people diagnosed with these very challenging cancers - to deliver impact where it's needed most." "SEAI is proud to continue our partnership with Research Ireland as we know that investing in cutting-edge research is essential to delivering the technologies and systems that will underpin Ireland's clean energy transition" said Kerrie Sheehan, Head of Research, Innovation and Electricity at SEAI. "We're delighted to co-fund two projects focusing on energy storage and an award for offshore energy data collection through the Frontiers for the Future Programme, that will support emerging energy technologies to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy." Highlights of this year's funded research include: Projects: Developing new materials to create longer-lasting, more sustainable batteries as alternatives to current lithium-ion technology, co-funded by SEAI (Prof. Hugh Geaney, University of Limerick). Designing a biodegradable 3D-printed stent material to help heal spinal fractures caused by osteoporosis (Dr Ciara Murphy, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences). [Photo attached] Building computer models that better predict long-term outcomes for babies affected by birth-related oxygen loss (Prof. Brian Walsh and Prof. Deirdre Murray, University College Cork). Awards: Exploring Irish ecosystems to discover novel yeast species with potential for use in food, biofuels, and biotechnology (Prof. Geraldine Butler, University College Dublin). Developing safer, low-cost alternatives to precious metal catalysts to convert ammonia into useful chemicals for medicines, agriculture, and industry (Dr Daniela Bezuidenhout, Maynooth University). Explore how early-life memories are lost and how this process differs in autism and be...

This week was the start of the COP30 climate talks in Belém, Brazil.  Young people from across the globe are heavily involved in climate campaigning, but many face obstacles in being able to attend COP, particularly in being involved in the actual decision-making.   Wire Host Caeden spoke to Youth Environmentalist and member of the Youth Climate Justice Project, Sumaya Mohammed, who is attending COP next week, about young people's experiences with the climate talks. They also spoke to Aoife Daly, Professor of Law at University College Cork and Lead on the Youth Climate Justice Project, about her research into youth participation at COP. 

Ever find yourself thinking: “I should be further along by now”? Our society is so OBSESSED with finishing things… what if strength lives in what's still taking shape?I've been taking an adult learning programme on resilience at my old university, University College Cork,  and spending more time in my friend Juli's clay studio. There, I noticed: the clay pieces I tried to make perfect felt lifeless. The ones with flaws felt alive. This naturally led me back into the world of Wabi‑sabi — the Japanese aesthetic of imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness — and how it mirrors resilience. In this episode, I walk you through:The cultural myth of “completion” and why we still chase itHow wabi-sabi challenges that mythWhat resilience really is — and how it shows up in softness not hardnessA short practice you can use this week to lean into being unfinishedIf you felt even a flicker of recognition in this episode, share it with someone who might need a reminder that perfection isn't the point — being alive is. And if you're ready to lean into being imperfect and resilient, head to my site and check out my coaching options → jenniferwalter.me/coachingSend me a DM_____________________________________________________________________ Visit jenniferwalter.me – your cosy corner where recovering perfectionists, tired minds, and those done pretending to be fine find space to breathe, dream, and create real change.

Dr. William Burchill, University College Cork, joined Mark Gibson on the latest podcast version of the Signpost Series to discuss ‘Improving nitrogen balances and use efficiency on Irish grassland farms'. A questions and answers session took place at the end of the webinar which was facilitated by Teagasc's Cathal Somers. To register for future webinars visit:https://www.teagasc.ie/corporate-events/sustainable-agriculture-webinars/                        For more podcasts from the Signpost Series go to: https://www.teagasc.ie/signpostpodcast/ 

University College Cork has become the first Irish university to introduce paid leave to employees who have experienced pregnancy loss.It follows extensive work carried out by the university's Pregnancy Loss Research Group.Its 2024 report revealed that many people surveyed reported negative and discriminatory attitudes in the workplace after they had revealed they had had a miscarriage, while others confided they had pressure from management to return to work before they were ready to do so.Under current legislation, there is no statutory paid leave for people who experience pregnancy loss under 23 weeks, after which they can avail of full maternity or paternity leave.To speak to us about this, Professor and leader of the Pregnancy Loss Research Group at UCC, Keelin O'Donoghue, joins Seán.

University College Cork has become the first Irish university to introduce paid leave to employees who have experienced pregnancy loss.It follows extensive work carried out by the university's Pregnancy Loss Research Group.Its 2024 report revealed that many people surveyed reported negative and discriminatory attitudes in the workplace after they had revealed they had had a miscarriage, while others confided they had pressure from management to return to work before they were ready to do so.Under current legislation, there is no statutory paid leave for people who experience pregnancy loss under 23 weeks, after which they can avail of full maternity or paternity leave.To speak to us about this, Professor and leader of the Pregnancy Loss Research Group at UCC, Keelin O'Donoghue, joins Seán.

Caroline O'Doherty, Climate and Science Correspondent at the Irish Times and Hannah Daly, Professor in Sustainable Energy at University College Cork

Max Pearson presents a collection of the week's Witness History interviews from the BBC World Service. Emerante de Pradines's son, Richard Morse, tells us about his mother's life and her commitment to de-demonising vodou culture through her music. Haiti expert Kate Hodgson, from University College Cork in Ireland, expands on the history of the country in the 20th Century. The story of how an Argentinian doctor was inspired to create a new treatment for heart disease and when the death of a Catholic priest sent shockwaves through El Salvador in 1977. Plus, the memories of a survivor of the Srebrenica massacre in 1995, when thousands of Bosnian Muslims were killed by Bosnian Serb Soldiers thirty years ago. The first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup and Orson Welles's famous re-telling of the War of the Worlds, which sparked mass panic in America. Contributors: Richard Morse – son of Haitian singer Emerante de Pradines Lucy Hodgson – lecturer in French at University College Cork in Ireland Dr Julio Palmaz – the inventor of the balloon-expandable stent Gabina Dubon – colleague of Father Rutilio Grande Sister Ana Maria Pineda – theologian and author Hasan Nuhanovic – survivor of the Srebrenica massacre Michelle Payne – 2015 Melbourne Cup winner Archive recordings of Orson Welles, his producer John Houseman and writer Howard Koch (Photo: Orson Welles rehearsing a radio broadcast of H.G. Wells' classic, The War of the Worlds on October 10, 1938. Credit: Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Zoe Booth speaks with Robert King, a psychology lecturer and researcher at University College Cork, whose work explores human sexual behaviour through the lens of evolutionary psychology and behavioural ecology. Their conversation centres on the evolution of female orgasm—its potential adaptive significance, its neglect within scientific literature, and the cultural forces that continue to shape women's sexual experiences. King discusses the use of animal models in studying human sexuality, the neurobiological mechanisms behind pleasure, and why evolutionary frameworks are still resisted in mainstream discourse. The discussion ranges widely, touching on female–female competition, the contested status of female ejaculation in both science and society, and the moral panic that often greets biological explanations for sex differences. Throughout, King makes the case for a more honest, curiosity-driven approach to understanding female behaviour—one that neither denies biology nor reduces it to determinism. His latest book Naturally Selective: Evolution, Orgasm, and Female Choice is available in paperback, hardcover or Kindle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Michelle McKeown is an Environmental Geographer at University College Cork and Donna Mullen, Ecologist and author of 'Make Your Home a Nature Reserve'

Ireland's past is alive in its stories, customs, and the rhythms of everyday life. In a new book 'Old Ways to New Days', folklorist and lecturer Shane Lehane explores how ancient traditions continue to shape who we are today. From tales of Biddy Early, the famed wise woman of Clare, to fascinating finds like Ireland's earliest pen discovered in the Burren, Shane brings the richness of our folklore to life. Shane joined Alan Morrissey on Thursday's edition of Morning Focus. Photo (c) University College Cork

Fossil remains of Ireland's only known dinosaurs will go on public display for the first time ever.The exhibition will take place at UCC's Glucksman Gallery next month and will feature over 250 real fossils and over five tonnes of material.The exhibition will merge science with art and creativity to bring Ireland's dinosaur age to life.To discuss more, Seán is joined by Professor of Palaeontology at University College Cork, Maria McNamara.Image: UCC

Fossil remains of Ireland's only known dinosaurs will go on public display for the first time ever.The exhibition will take place at UCC's Glucksman Gallery next month and will feature over 250 real fossils and over five tonnes of material.The exhibition will merge science with art and creativity to bring Ireland's dinosaur age to life.To discuss more, Seán is joined by Professor of Palaeontology at University College Cork, Maria McNamara.Image: UCC

Surgeon Noonan is a registered charity run voluntarily by 4th year medical students from University College Cork, Ireland. Each year, our goal is to raise over €150,000, which goes directly towards underfunded rural hospitals in Sub-Saharan Africa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You might have spent hours raking leaves this week, but from an environmental perspective, should we even touch the fallen leaves?Dr Michelle McKeown is an Environmental Geographer at University College Cork, and she joins Seán to discuss.

You might have spent hours raking leaves this week, but from an environmental perspective, should we even touch the fallen leaves?Dr Michelle McKeown is an Environmental Geographer at University College Cork, and she joins Seán to discuss.

Dr Paul Deane, Senior lecturer in Energy at University College Cork, assesses the Sustainable Energy Authority's call for more to be done to meet climate change goals.

President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Washington, pressing Donald Trump for long-range missiles . Dr. Andrew Cottey of the Department of Government and Politics at University College Cork discusses the meetings implications.

Many people liken recalling memories to accessing mental filing cabinets, but our memories are actually more disjointed. Memory science defines how memory works as a dynamic form of complex information processing, which relies on active reconstruction rather than simple retrieval. This reality means human recall is intrinsically malleable, making memories susceptible to suggestion, challenging its role in defining personal identity, and underscoring the necessity of protecting against the science of misinformation. To discover ways to use memories to cultivate a happy life, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Dr. Gillian Murphy, leader of the Everyday Cognition Lab at the School of Applied Psychology at University College Cork. Gillian explains how memory works, the science of information processing, recall, and the risks and benefits associated with trauma therapy. Her book, Memory Lane: The Perfectly Imperfect Ways We Remember, describes the malleability and vulnerability of human memory. This episode is proudly sponsored by:Nature's Sunshine—Offers modern herbal supplements backed by science and harvested from the earth. Visit https://www.naturessunshine.com/ and use promo code HHTR to get 20% off + free shipping on your 1st order. andCalm—Offers the #1 app for sleep and meditation. Download Calm and find a place made just for you to rest. Visit Calm.com/HHTR Listeners get 40% off a Calm Premium Subscription. Like what you're hearing?WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Many people liken recalling memories to accessing mental filing cabinets, but our memories are actually more disjointed. Memory science defines how memory works as a dynamic form of complex information processing, which relies on active reconstruction rather than simple retrieval. This reality means human recall is intrinsically malleable, making memories susceptible to suggestion, challenging its role in defining personal identity, and underscoring the necessity of protecting against the science of misinformation. To discover ways to use memories to cultivate a happy life, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Dr. Gillian Murphy, leader of the Everyday Cognition Lab at the School of Applied Psychology at University College Cork. Gillian explains how memory works, the science of information processing, recall, and the risks and benefits associated with trauma therapy. Her book, Memory Lane: The Perfectly Imperfect Ways We Remember, describes the malleability and vulnerability of human memory. This episode is proudly sponsored by:Nature's Sunshine—Offers modern herbal supplements backed by science and harvested from the earth. Visit https://www.naturessunshine.com/ and use promo code HHTR to get 20% off + free shipping on your 1st order. andCalm—Offers the #1 app for sleep and meditation. Download Calm and find a place made just for you to rest. Visit Calm.com/HHTR Listeners get 40% off a Calm Premium Subscription. Like what you're hearing?WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

A new study by University College Cork is looking to identify and explore the extent to which women are facing delays to have chronic health conditions diagnosed. Joining Ciara to discuss this is Jenny Cooney-Quane, Research Associate in School of Applied Psychology at UCC and co-author of the study.

You may have seen a recent trend circulating online, of people sending their parents AI generated images which make it look like there is an unknown person in their house, to get their reaction. While this is a seemingly harmless joke, it's one of many instances of AI generated deepfakes circulating online.So, how can you tell an AI deepfake from a real image?Joining Jonatahn to discuss is Professor Barry O'Sullivan of the School of Computer Science & IT at University College Cork.

Dr. Paul Deane, Senior Lecturer in Clean Energy at University College Cork and Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor Irish Independent

With the huge success of The Traitors Ireland, this week on Taking Stock Susan Hayes Culleton talks to Jill Downey, Managing Director of Core Sponsorship, who led negotiations on all the major brand deals for the show.With more and more companies spending eye-watering amounts of money on AI, Susan talks to Melissa Heikkila of the Financial Times about where this money is going and to what end.Plus, a new report suggests that under current policies, oil and gas use could actually keep rising all the way to 2050, putting the world on course for dangerous levels of warming. Susan talks to Paul Deane, Senior Lecturer in Clean Energy Futures at University College Cork.

Photo details, left to right Peter Devine, Ulster University; Dr Nick Timmons, Atlantic Technological University; Dr Orla Flynn, President, Atlantic Technological University; Dr Mark Gubbins, Seagate Technology; Prof William Scanlon, Tyndall National Institute, at the launch of the SPEAR Centre in Letterkenny. The SPEAR Centre (Semiconductor Photonics Education and Research Centre) has been launched at the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) campus in Letterkenny, Co Donegal. This project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It will be led by Atlantic Technological University through its WiSAR Lab in partnership with Ulster University, the Tyndall National Institute at University College Cork, and Seagate Technology. It represents a total investment of €8.46 million. Semiconductor and Photonics Innovation at SPEAR Centre SPEAR Centre has been designed to position the Northwest as a hub for semiconductor and photonics innovation. The project will align with the EU Chips Act and Ireland's Smart Specialisation Strategy, embedding advanced technology capabilities into the regional economy and strengthening cross-border collaboration. Over the coming years, SPEAR will deliver on three key pillars. A Doctoral College will train the next generation of PhD researchers in photonics, artificial intelligence, and semiconductor technologies. An Innovation Fund will support research and development across at least nine regional SMEs, enabling them to integrate cutting-edge technology into their operations. A Strategic Engagement Programme will foster collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers while raising public awareness of the potential of advanced technologies. The project launch, which took place yesterday, brought together a wide range of stakeholders from across the island, including academic experts, industry leaders, regional SMEs, and government representatives. Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD said: "The launch of the SPEAR Centre marks a significant milestone in our ambition to lead in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor innovation. By aligning with the EU Chips Act and our national Smart Specialisation Strategy, this initiative will not only drive regional economic growth but also ensure that SMEs and researchers are at the forefront of global technological development. I commend the collaborative spirit behind this project and look forward to the transformative impact it will have on the North West and beyond." Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA said: ""Today's launch moves us a step closer to creating a global centre of excellence for semiconductor photonics in the North West. This is an ambition we are already well on our way to achieving; with the excellent partnerships long established here between our universities and industry. As Economy Minister, I am committed to working with partners right across this island, to deliver on my economic vision, with innovation at its heart. This investment will enhance the region's attractiveness to inward investment, supporting the creation of more new, Good Jobs." SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: "This PEACEPLUS project is designed to transform the North West through cutting-edge research, innovation, and enterprise development. "It represents an investment in technology and education and also in people, in places, and in the shared future of the cross-border region. Through cross-border collaboration - between ATU, Ulster University, and Tyndall National Institute - this will strengthen the bonds of shared progress. "This project marks a new chapter for regional innovation, for cross-border partnership, and for this island's place in a fast-changing technological world. Empowering SMEs and growing high-tech sectors helps give people the opportunity to stay in the Northwest and this, in turn, helps create the conditions for a sustainable, inclusive peace."Atl...

Guest: Professor Maria McNamara, Professor of Palaeontology at University College Cork

John Maytham speaks to Dr Don Ross | Head of the School of Society, Politics & Ethics at University College Cork; Professor in the School of Economics at the University of Cape Town; and Program Director at the Center for the Economic Analysis of Risk, Georgia State University — to unpack why he and others are calling the planned cull in Madikwe an atrocity in the making. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oireachtas Group on Pregnancy and Infant Loss met today, to highlight improvements in prevention, support services and in recording data on miscarriages. Keelin O'Donoghue, Professor in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, at University College Cork and also Consultant Obstetrician, at Cork University Maternity Hospital who was at the meeting joined us.

A major project to investigate false memories which is led by University College Cork has today received significant EU funding. To tell us all about it Dr Gillian Murphy, Senior Lecturer in Applied Psychology at UCC.

Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor Irish Independent and Dr. Paul Deane, Senior Lecturer in Clean Energy at University College Cork

Dr. Peter Barrett, Consultant in public health medicine with University College Cork 

A new species of dinosaur has been discovered on Isle of Wight. The fossils are 125 million years old. The species has been named after sailor Ellen MacArthur due to the prominent sail along its back. MacArthur set a world record in 2005 for completing the fastest solo non-stop sailing voyage around the world.Maria McNamara, Professor of Paleontology at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at University College Cork brought us the details.

Centering Centers, Episode 71In this episode of Centering Centers, we talk with Anna Santucci (University of Virginia), Barbara Bird (Ohio Wesleyan University), and Jayln Parker (Colorado Technical University) about their roles in launching and leading the new POD Perspectives Conference Reporters initiative. Anna, who guided the transition from POD Speaks! to POD Perspectives, shares the vision behind reimagining this publication as a platform for multiple voices in educational development. Barb reflects on serving as Lead Reporter for a team of five at the 2024 POD Conference, while Jayln describes her first POD experience as a Reporter and how it helped her find belonging in the field. Together, they highlight how the initiative both amplifies conference insights for broader audiences and creates meaningful entry points for new and seasoned members alike.Explore the POD Perspectives page to read the most recent Conference Reporters special edition.Learn about opportunities to contribute to POD Perspectives—anyone can sign up to be a reviewer and/or submit a proposal for a future paper.Keep an eye on the page for the upcoming call for 2025 Conference Reporters (to be posted soon).Anna SantucciAssociate Professor and Associate Director, Center for Teaching Excellence, University of VirginiaSenior Lecturer, Teaching and Learning Enhancement, Centre for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL), University College Cork, IrelandAnna has very recently joined the University of Virginia's Center for Teaching Excellence. Her international collaborations and research interests include intercultural teaching and learning, participatory arts pedagogies, trans-disciplinarity, and educational development for higher education transformation grounded in principles of love, hope, equity, justice, reflection, relational co-creation, and dialogue.Barbara Bird, PhD, is Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation at Ohio Wesleyan University. She is the inaugural Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation at OWU. In the newly endowed position, Bird oversees the strategic design and implementation of faculty support programs, grants, and services on teaching effectiveness, engaged learning, and curricular innovation at Ohio Wesleyan.  At the 2024 POD Conference, she served as Lead Reporter for a team of five POD journalists.Jayln Parker (she/her), MA Learning Sciences, is a Faculty Development Facilitator in the Teaching & Learning Center at Colorado Technical University, where she designs and implements professional development programs that advance evidence-based practices, foster inclusive teaching, and support faculty in their scholarly and professional growth. Her interests include advancement of faculty scholarship, writing, and exploring the role of podcasts in the scholarship of teaching and learning. Jayln attended her first POD Conference in 2024, serving as a POD Reporter.Transcript of the Episode

Elaine Burke, Technology Journalist and Host of the "For Tech's Sake" podcast and Barry O'Sullivan, Director of the Insight Centre for Data Analytics at University College Cork

Dr Paul Deane, Senior Lecturer in Clean Energy at University College Cork

Dr Róisín Moriarty, Research Fellow at University College Cork, outlines research which show Ireland's proposed climate targets contribute to global inequality.

Dr Robert King is a psychologist, professor at University College Cork, and researcher on the evolutionary function of female orgasm. What makes the female orgasm so mysterious? For generations, men across the globe have sought to decipher it, and many women share their curiosity as well. So why does the female orgasm even exist? What's its evolutionary purpose? And have scientists like Dr. Robert King finally cracked the code? Expect to learn what most people don't understand about the female orgasm, why women have multiple orgasms and men don't, the biggest predictors of the female orgasm, how much female desire of men is driven by other female's desire of those men, what women want in men sexually, if penis size and length are as bog of factors as men tend to think, if there are similarities in reproductive anatomy across males and females, and much more… Sponsors: See me on tour in America: ⁠https://chriswilliamson.live⁠ See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://chriswillx.com/deals Get 35% off your first subscription on the best supplements from Momentous at https://livemomentous.com/modernwisdom Get up to $350 off the Pod 5 at https://eightsleep.com/modernwisdom Get a 20% discount on Nomatic's amazing luggage at https://nomatic.com/modernwisdom Timestamps: (0:00) How Do You Get into Studying the Female Orgasm? (2:23) What Does Sex Research Look Like? (4:42) Misconceptions About the Female Orgasm (11:16) How is the Female Orgasm Adaptive? (24:38) What are the Biggest Predictors of Female Orgasms? (28:26) Intrasexual Competition (46:27) Catherine Salmon and the Dark Romance Genre (52:42) Romanticisation of the Lesser Man (54:45) Does Size Matter? (58:59) Why is Ease of Orgasm So Varied? (01:11:22) Do Orgasms Differ Depending on Sexual Relationships? (01:16:19) Characterising Modern Sex Culture (01:27:23) Find Out More About Dr Robert Extra Stuff: Get my free reading list of 100 books to read before you die: https://chriswillx.com/books Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic: https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom Episodes You Might Enjoy: #577 - David Goggins - This Is How To Master Your Life: https://tinyurl.com/43hv6y59 #712 - Dr Jordan Peterson - How To Destroy Your Negative Beliefs: https://tinyurl.com/2rtz7avf #700 - Dr Andrew Huberman - The Secret Tools To Hack Your Brain: https://tinyurl.com/3ccn5vkp - Get In Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you're planning a getaway or are just back from some time off, you might notice that you sleep better on holiday.But, are those lie-ins really beneficial, and can you make up for all the lost sleep in a two week holiday?Professor of Applied Psychology, Samantha Dockray from University College Cork joins Seán to discuss.

Oliver Browne, Accounting Lecturer in University College Cork and consumer commentator, discusses rising food prices

Prof. Maria McNamara, Paleontologist at University College Cork,

Professor Anne Moore, vaccine immunology expert and Professor at University College Cork, outlines where Ireland sits in the latest global figures on child vaccination rates.

Everyone knows that $19.99 is really $20. And we know that gas sold at $3.49 and 9/10 per gallon is really $3.50. We get it. So why do retailers and gas stations still price things this way? The answer is more interesting than you might think so we begin this episode by explaining what's going on.https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/01/the-psychological-difference-between-1200-and-1167/384993/ Your memory isn't as good as you like to think. You forget a lot of things and your memory distorts a lot of other things so that what you remember to be true – isn't. Given how sophisticated the human brain is, why are our memories so prone to error? That's a fascinating question I explore with Gillian Murphy, an associate professor in the School of Applied Psychology at University College Cork and coauthor of the book Memory Lane: The Perfectly Imperfect Ways We Remember (https://amzn.to/41J9nu1). What does it mean to love well? Whether a lover, a friend or family member, there are people in your life you love who you could probably love better. What might that look like? Here with some insight into this is Yung Pueblo who has sold over 1.5 million books worldwide that have been translated into over 25 languages. He has an online audience of over 4 million people and has been featured on Good Morning America, The Today Show, CBS Mornings and other media outlets. His latest bestselling book is How to Love Better: The Path to Deeper Connection Through Growth, Kindness, and Compassion (https://amzn.to/41LOZZ7) Could having a dishwasher lead to allergies? It is part of that theory that living in a squeaky-clean environment can cause health problems. While it might sound a little odd, there is good evidence to support the idea. Listen as I explain. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/289832 PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!!! FACTOR: Eat smart with Factor! Get 50% off at https://FactorMeals.com/something50off QUINCE: Indulge in affordable luxury! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. TIMELINE: Get 10% off your order of Mitopure!  Go to https://Timeline.com/SOMETHING SHOPIFY:  Nobody does selling better than Shopify! Sign up for a $1 per-month trial period at https://Shopify.com/sysk and upgrade your selling today! HERS: Hers is changing women's healthcare by providing access to GLP-1 weekly injections with the same active ingredient as Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as oral medication kits. Start your free online visit today at https://forhers.com/sysk INDEED: Get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at https://Indeed.com/SOMETHING right now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices