Four STEM public engagement projects involving UCD funded
10 March 2026
UCD researchers are involved in four of 32 projects selected for a total of almost €6 million in funding to drive science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) engagement in Ireland.
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 through creative, community-embedded and inclusive approaches to STEM engagement.
The following projects involving UCD received funding:
Behind Walls: Cross-Community Art-Science Fusion to Increase Cancer Awareness
- Project lead: (opens in a new window)Dr Maria Prencipe, UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science
- Funding: €145,065.90
Behind Walls aims to empower young people with the knowledge and confidence to discuss cancer. Street artist ACHES and graphic designer Cian Ryan will collaborate with local youth, patient advocates, and cancer researchers to create physical and digital murals.
The project will also include an educational workshop followed by a six-week science education programme at a DEIS school. The process will be documented by young Belfast filmmaker Éanna McCana, who has lived experience of cancer.
“I strongly believe in the power of bringing art and science together to communicate universal messages,” said Dr Prencipe.
“This project is especially exciting because it brings together a multidisciplinary team of people from different backgrounds, each contributing their own perspectives and strengths.”
Cyber Citizens: A National Initiative for Digital Resilience & Cyber Literacy
- Project lead: (opens in a new window)Dr Rachel Farrell, UCD School of Education
- Funding: €299,867
Cyber Citizens is a national initiative led by the UCD Centre for Cyber Resilience Education (Cyberwise), in partnership with ADAPT and Webwise.
As AI-generated content becomes more widespread and convincing, new risks like disinformation, phishing, and social engineering demand more than basic digital skills. Cyber Citizens will respond to this need with a national Expert Report, youth workshops and events, and briefings for elected representatives and public officials.
Dublin Maker - Invent, Inspire, Include
- Project lead: (opens in a new window)Dr David McKeown, UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
- Funding: €330,000
Dublin Maker has been the annual independent showcase of the Maker movement in Ireland since 2012. The event brings together an eclectic mix of tech enthusiasts, educators, artists, craftspeople, engineers, backyard inventors, students, and community groups.
By inspiring the next generation of makers and inventors, particularly in engineering and science, the festival plays a crucial role in shaping Ireland's innovation landscape.
“Dublin Maker is about opening up invention and creativity to everyone, and showing that making is for all ages, backgrounds and abilities,” said Dr McKeown.
“This support will help us expand opportunities for people to get hands-on with ideas, meet makers and researchers, and feel confident experimenting, learning and creating together.”
Quavers to Quadratics: Music and Science
- Project lead: Nigel Flegg, National Concert Hall
- Co-organiser: (opens in a new window)Dr Shane Bergin, UCD School of Education
- Funding: €56,130
The Quavers to Quadratics (Q2Q) programme is a series of workshops for primary school children, primarily from DEIS schools, highlighting the overlap between music, maths and physics.
Q2Q is co-designed, co-taught and co-assessed by academics and students from the UCD School of Education, Trinity College School of Education and the National Concert Hall’s Learning and Participation department.
Dr Bergin has co-organised the project for over ten years, and 50 UCD undergraduate students are involved as facilitators this year.
By: Rebecca Hastings, Digital Journalist, UCD University Relations
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
