UCD In Conversation

It is essential that all businesses consider their impact on society and the environment over profits. Increasingly, organisations are obliged to incorporate sustainability into their business strategies. As companies come under increased pressure to meet their Environmental, Social & Governance goals, how can we know they are truly complying? In this episode, we discuss the shift successful organisations have made and the challenges of corporate citizenship. We also discuss how industry leaders can embrace sustainability to ensure the longevity of the planet; the practice of greenwashing and sustainability lip-service and how to combat it.

Join our host, UCD Earth Institute Director, Professor Tasman Crowe with Ali Sheridan, Senior Sustainability and Climate Advisor and Laura Costello, Strategy Director; Thinkhouse. This conversation will be led by UCD Vice-Principal for Research & Innovation – College of Business, Professor Donna Marshall.

Climate change presents the single biggest threat to current and future generations, and its widespread, unprecedented impacts disproportionately burden the poorest and most vulnerable. Following the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change starkest warning yet, urgent action to combat it and minimise its disruptions is integral to the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the future of the planet.

Join our host, UCD Earth Institute Director, Professor Tasman Crowe and expert panelists John Bell, Director Healthy Planet, DG Research & Innovation at European Commission and Sadhbh O’Neill, Lecturer in Climate Policy and former Policy Coordinator for the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition In Conversation with Dr Andrew Jackson. Jackson is an environmental and planning lawyer, UCD Sutherland School of Law.

Following the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change starkest warning yet, urgent action to combat climate change and minimise its disruptions is integral to the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the future of the planet. With the Development Goals 2030 deadline looming, we want to explore what exactly these goals are; if we are globally on schedule to succeed in their implementation; how that can happen and what role Ireland plays in their development and adoption.

Join our host, UCD Earth Institute Director, Professor Tasman Crowe and expert panelists Professor Patrick Paul Walsh, Professor of International Development Studies, UCD School of Politics and International Relations, David Donoghue, Former Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Dr Orla Kelly, Assistant Professor in Social Policy at the UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice.

There are 70 Data Centres in operation across Ireland, with 54 in Dublin alone; making it the Data Centre capital of Europe. Learn about their impact on energy consumption, bills, power outages and Ireland’s ability to achieve its emissions and renewable targets by 2030.

Join our expert panelists, Professor Andrew Keane, Director of the Energy Institute at UCD and Director of the SFI Energy Systems Integration Partnership Programme (ESIPP), Garry Connolly, Founder of Host in Ireland, and Associate Professor Damian Dalton from UCDs School of Computer Science.

Agriculture accounts for 35.3 percent of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions, of which 95 per cent are emissions associated with livestock agriculture.

Join Professor Kevin O’Connor, Dr Fionnuala Murphy and Enda Buckley, Director of Sustainability at Carbery, for a stimulating discussion on the Farm Zero C Project, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions, which has received €2m in SFI funding to help it deliver climate-neutral dairy farming by 2027.

Featuring alumni Dr Tony Scott, Charles Lysaght, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Frances Fitzgerald MEP and Dr Desmond Green from the Classes of 61 & 71 in conversation and reminiscing with former broadcaster and arts manager, Doireann Ní Bhriain.

Cybercrime is one of the fastest evolving and expanding criminal areas globally, with law enforcement and other defence entities often lacking the necessary resources and research to keep up. 3.96 billion people use social media, so it’s inevitable that identity theft, cyberstalking, cyberbullying and, sadly, child predators will be a reality for some.

Join our panel of experts, Cliona Curley, Cybercrime Analyst and Co-Founder of CyberSafeKids, Paul Darcy, Digital Forensic Specialist and Cindy Murphy, President and Founder of Tetra Defense, a US-based Digital Forensics, Incident Response and Cyber Risk Management company.

Housing in Ireland continues to be a headline topic across the media as more people feel the dream of owning a home seems ever out of financial reach.

With a younger generation unable to afford a property of their own and another older generation facing an impending insecure retirement paying rent, what’s the reality behind the headlines and what we can do to make a change?

Social Democrat TD and UCD Alumni Cian O’Callaghan, Michelle Norris, Director, at the Geary Institute for Public Policy at UCD and Aidan Regan, Associate Professor, UCD School of International Politics and Relations will appear in conversation.

While sport is known to be an offender when it comes to unsustainable practices there has been a major shift within clubs, organisations and events to refocus and seize the opportunity that comes with engaging in sustainable development. Carbon neutral stadiums, social inclusion projects, contribution towards mental health, skills development and philanthropy are examples of how sport is contributing to building a healthier, happier world.

Join Professor Eleni Theodoraki from UCD’s School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science in conversation with Giovanni Di Cola, Special Advisor at the International Labour Organization and Dr Míde Ní Shúilleabháin, Voluntary Chair of the GAA Green Club Steering Group as they discuss the power Sport has in contributing to the truly global issue of our planet’s sustainability. 

The conversation will consider Ireland’s economic position today, the economic challenges and opportunities faced as we emerge from the pandemic, and the role of policies in building resilience to the crises of tomorrow. Sharon Donnery, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, and Danny McCoy, CEO of Ibec, will be in conversation with Emmet Oliver, Lecturer at the Quinn School of Business and former journalist and broadcaster.

This Bloomsday, join Simon O’Connor, Director of Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI), Professor Anne Fogarty, Professor of James Joyce Studies at UCD, and Katherine McSharry, Deputy Director at the National Library of Ireland, as they discuss the significance of Ulysses for the work of MoLI and Joyce’s significance for UCD. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn about the living legacy of a book that has shaped Dublin’s identity and Irish literature for the last 100 years.

The unique and award-winning UCD Festival@home is nearly upon us! We invite you to join us for the launch of the second virtual edition of the festival.

Broadcaster, writer and UCD Festival literary curator Rick O’Shea is in conversation with some of the festival collaborators, including science communicator Phil Smyth, UCD School of Architecture’s Ellen Rowley and UCD Newman Fellow and Poet Julie Morrissy as they talk through the festival programme and preview some of the highlights that will feature across the festival weekend 27-29 May 2021.

Featuring our guests Professor Liam Kennedy, UCD Clinton Institute, Dr Suzanne Lynch, Washington Correspondent for the Irish Times and Professor Scott Lucas, Professor of American Studies, University of Birmingham, we will reflect on the paramount first 100 days of President Biden’s term. Rife with executive orders, economic stimulus packages, vaccinations for the masses and social revolution, have President Biden’s first 100 days lived up to expectations?

Professor Andrew Keane, Director of the Energy Institute at University College Dublin and Director of the SFI Energy Systems Integration Partnership Programme (ESIPP). Paul Manning, co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer for NovoGrid will appear in conversation with PJ Rudden, Founder of Aengus Consulting Ltd, and Chairman of Construction Innovation and Digital Adoption at Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, to discuss energy production in Ireland and how UCD spin-out NovoGrid can improve energy efficiency with GridBoost technology.

Hosted online, the event, as always, will include key discussions, breakouts, and networking online.

In the lead up to the main event, join us for the second of two free career-building masterclasses.  Carol O’Kelly, CEO of Redstorm Communications Ltd, will host What it Takes to master personal branding on 17 February. Don’t forget to view the first masterclass with lecturer and negotiator Stephen Boyle on What it Takes to negotiate effectively. 

On 24 February, speakers will discuss leadership, mental health, diversity and authenticity.

COVID-19 has disrupted lives across the globe since it was first detected in December 2019. Thirteen months on, experts have developed and continue to develop solutions to support the management of symptoms and also, to stop the virus in its tracks in the form of a vaccine.

Join us as we hear from Dr Cillian De Gascun, Prof Teresa Lambe and Prof Karina Butler who are connected to UCD and have been leading in the fight against this deadly virus and making significant impact in the fields of vaccine development and trials, laboratory testing, viral evolution and immunisation.

Take a trip down memory lane as we discuss Belfield’s ever-changing campus design, from the water tower, to the lake, to the surprising details you might have missed. Hear from Dr Ellen Rowley, who curated UCD’s architectural history for the book book ‘Making Belfield,’ and Daniel Holfeld, who captured the atmospheric qualities of UCD’s architecture in the ‘Conveying Space’ photographic exhibition. The conversation is moderated by Seán Rocks, who presents ARENA, RTÉ Radio 1’s flagship arts, popular culture, and entertainment programme. 

This week we will be joined by UCD Alumni Awardee in Research, Innovation and Impact Dr Sandra Collins – Director, the National Library of Ireland and UCD Alumni Awardee in Engineering and Architecture Róisín Heneghan – Award-winning architect with broadcaster and UCD alumnus Pat Kenny, a long-time friend of the UCD Alumni Awards.

This week we will be joined by UCD Alumni Awardee in Health and Agricultural Sciences Professor Delia Grace Randolph – Epidemiologist and food safety expert and UCD Alumni Awardee in Science Dr Cormac Kilty – Biotech entrepreneur  in conversation with  broadcaster and UCD alumnus Pat Kenny, a long-time friend of the UCD Alumni Awards.

Join us on Thursday, 12 November at 7.00pm for a special episode as we mark the UCD Alumni Awards. 

This week we will be joined by UCD Alumni Awardee in Business Mark Pollock – Athlete, explorer, motivational speaker and author; UCD Alumni Awardee in Sport Dr Jack McCaffrey – Dublin GAA football star, and paediatric doctor and UCD Alumni Awardee in Law Sally Hayden – Journalist and photographer focused on humanitarian crises in conversation with  broadcaster and UCD alumnus Pat Kenny, a long-time friend of the UCD Alumni Awards. 

Proudly supported by Intel.

This week we will be joined by UCD Alumni Awardee in Social Sciences, Sharon Donnery, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Ireland and UCD Alumni Awardee in Arts and Humanities Dalton Philips – CEO, Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) in conversation with broadcaster and UCD alumnus Pat Kenny, a long-time friend of the UCD Alumni Awards.

Proudly supported by RKD.

Our guests Professor Liam Kennedy, UCD Clinton Institute and Professor Scott Lucas, Professor of American Studies, University of Birmingham were joined in conversation with columnist & broadcaster Sarah Carey to mark the upcoming US presidential election. Arguably, the most important American election since 1945, and possibly since before the US Civil War which will have implications not only for the White House and Congress, but also on the fate of US democracy and the entire country’s values.

Emma Donoghue, award-winning novelist, playwright and screenwriter, will appear in conversation with Professor Sarah Moss, an award-winning novelist and literary scholar, who has just begun her tenure as Assistant Professor of Creative Writing in the UCD School of English, Drama and Film.

Join Dr Marie Keenan, Associate Professor, School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice; together with Ailbhe Griffith and award- winning filmmaker Alan Gilsenan for a fascinating conversation about Restorative Justice and the Role of The Arts.

MoLI – a museum of the past, a laboratory for the future

Thursday 13 August at 7:00 pm (IST) via Zoom

COVID-19, Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing in a Crisis—A Practical Discussion

Thursday 30 July at 7:00 pm (IST) via Zoom

The Transformative Power of Community Engaged Learning

Thursday 16 July at 7:00 pm (IST) via Zoom

So What Next: Becoming Anti-Racist

Thursday 2 July at 7:00 pm (IST) via Zoom

The Climate Emergency & COVID-19

Thursday 18 June at 7:00 pm (IST) via Zoom

Leadership in a Time of Crisis

Thursday 11 June at 7:00 pm (IST) via Zoom

Crisis Driven Innovation: Adaptability Through Technology

Thursday 28 May at 7:00 pm (IST) via Zoom

COVID-19’s Impact on Creative Spaces

Thursday 21 May at 7:30 pm (IST) via YouTube Live to launch the UCD Festival @Home

The Philosophy of Wellbeing

Thursday 14 May at 7:00 pm (IST) via Zoom

It’s Normal To Be Different

Thursday 7 May at 7:00pm (IST) via Zoom

Our Genes and the Fight Against Chronic Disease & COVID-19

Thursday 30 April at 7:30pm (IST) via Zoom