Impact & Opinions | Tionchar & Tuairimí

Global Impact Edition

The Summer 2024 Edition of Cois Coiribe looks at the University of Galway's global impact via the lens of openness, a core principle articulated in the University Strategy. This edition features insightful research stories that cover key areas where our research is globally interconnected in a fast-changing world, such as innovation to entrepreneurial growth, sustainable energy, social justice, and challenges to new technologies. In many respects, this edition exemplifies how local action can have a global impact.

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Global Impact
21 August 2024
29  MINS

Distracted Driving: A Deadly Risk on the Road

Prof Martin Glavin, Professor of Electronic & Computer Engineering, Co-Director of the Connaught Automotive Research (CAR) Group, University of Galway

In the wake of rising road fatalities across Ireland, Cois Coiribe had the opportunity to connect with Prof Martin Glavin, Professor of Electronic and Computer Engineering at the University of Galway. With poor driving going beyond factors like speeding, drug- and drink-driving, Prof Glavin shares his research and thoughts on the impact of distracted behaviour while behind the wheel. The topic was covered in his recent co-hosted special about Irish road safety featured on RTÉ Prime Time. Highlighting his activities as co-director of the University’s Connaught Automotive Research (CAR) Group, Prof Glavin investigates the all-important question: where does driver attention wander while on the road?

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Global Impact
25 July 2024
15  MINS

Mary Robinson: Trailblazer for Global Justice and Human Rights

Professor Siobhán Mullally MRIA

It is not too strong to say that Mary Robinson’s life and achievements have been truly exceptional. From her early days as a pioneering barrister, to the Presidency of Ireland, the role of UN Commissioner for Human Rights, and her current role as Chair of the Elders, she has wholeheartedly given her energy to fighting injustice in all its forms, and pursuing peace and equality. In the face of often fierce opposition, she pushed through barriers and upended certainties, always speaking out for those whose voices were not being heard. Here, Professor Siobhan Mullally explores the life and times of a remarkable Mayo woman.

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Global Impact
27 June 2024
19  MINS

How horses inspired one scientist’s big invention

Dr Abigail Martin, Co-Founder and Director, ImmuONE; Alumna, University of Galway

In this piece Cois Coiribe talks to aluma Dr Abigail Martin, CEO and Co-Founder and Director of biotechnology company ImmuONE. Abigail’s love of horses made her interested in how science could help to make animals’ lives better, as well as curious about what we can learn about human health from animal studies. Her company manufactures her innovative product – a human in vitro lung – which has significantly affected how companies test their products, in particular, improving human safety and reducing animal testing. Explore Abigail’s journey below.

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Global Impact
06 August 2024
15  MINS

Island inspiration: Irish communities lead the way in restoring people’s sense of agency in the energy transition

Prof Frances Fahy, Professor of Geography, Geography, University of Galway, Dr Benjamin Schmid, Post Doctoral Researcher, Geography, University of Galway, Dr Michael Lydon, Communications and Impact Officer, Geography, University of Galway

Many people engage in some form of energy citizenship, sometimes unknown to themselves. Communities on the Aran Islands are enthusiastically embracing the concept of energy citizenship through a civil society organisation that brings together the residents of the three islands with the aim of becoming self-sufficient in clean, locally owned energy from sun and wind, as well as helping to build the local economy of the islands. Their vision can pave the way for local economies globally.

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Global Impact
23 July 2024
15  MINS

Treasuring Irish–US links in the climate of America first

Larry Donnelly, University of Galway lecturer, Writer and American Attorney

Larry Donnelly, an American attorney, University of Galway lecturer and writer, has a foot in both the Irish and US camps, so to speak. Here he offers his views on the complex electoral process that is the US Presidential election, and the “unknowns” that could derail either candidate. Donnelly argues that despite their critical differences, most Americans agree on one point – America first. For Ireland, given our critical and treasured connections with the US, this means being aware of, and not naïve about, what is occurring across the Atlantic. 

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Global Impact
23 June 2024
18  MINS

Thriving or Surviving? A Global Research Alliance Pushing for Reform in Hospitality Work

Dr Deirdre Curran, Lecturer in Management, University of Galway

Research by J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics at University of Galway has found that although workers in the hospitality industry are often passionate about their work, the industry is experiencing a chronic labour shortage. Poor conditions and lack of prospects are some of the key reasons. Now a new global alliance aims to tackle conditions in hospitality through educating policy makers and industry leaders about what is needed to ensure “decent work”, and Ireland is positioned to be a leader in the field.

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Global Impact
28 June 2024
10  MINS

A Look at the Centre Working to Help Europe’s Businesses Scale Up

Professor Esther Tippmann, Co-Founder and Co-Director, the Centre for Entrepreneurial Growth and Scaling (CEGS), University of Galway , Professor Jonathan Levie, Co-Founder and Co-Director, the Centre for Entrepreneurial Growth and Scaling (CEGS), University of Galway 

As the only UKI-based partner of the European Scale-up Institute, the Centre for Entrepreneurial Growth & Scaling (CEGS) is tackling Europe’s business scale-up gap through evidence-backed research, outreach, and coaching services.   What are the defining factors of a successful scale-up today, and how can we move the needle in accelerating scaling across Ireland and Europe? CEGS Co-Directors, Professors Esther Tippmann and Jonathan Levie share their thoughts in this new edition of Cois Coiribe.   

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Global Impact
29 July 2024
11  MINS

Determined Action Is Needed to Protect Human Rights in Conflict Zones

Dr Andrew Forde, Adjunct Lecturer at the Irish Centre for Human Rights and Commissioner on the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.,

With breaches of humanitarian law in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan now documented in real-time, the public are placing inter-governmental human rights organisations under intense scrutiny. Here, Dr Andrew Forde explores the agency and authority of such organisations in protecting human rights in areas of conflict.   “ [a]ll human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed that “ [a]ll human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. These rights are often described as being universal, in other words, applicable to everyone, everywhere, without distinction. Yet, every day we see armed conflicts contradicting this principle despite it being codified in international law, including in regional instruments such as the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

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Global Impact
20 May 2024
13  MINS

Overview of Mary Robinson’s Archive

Niamh Ní Charra, Archivist , University of Galway

The 21st of May 2024 marks the 80th birthday of one of Ireland’s most influential, celebrated, and hard-working citizens, former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson. The University of Galway is proud to house her archive, and while work to catalogue it continues, we mark this significant milestone with an overview of the archive’s contents and an update on progress. University of Galway is also a partner of The Mary Robinson Centre in the former President’s home town of Ballina, Co. Mayo, and together we are honouring her life and legacy by engaging scholars of all ages in the major themes of her archive.  

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Global Impact
31 July 2024
11  MINS

Global Connections, Local Engagement: Galway to Miami and Back Again

Dr Josephine Igoe

Known respectively as the gateway to Latin America and the European Union, Miami and Ireland have historically thrived on global partnerships and the exchange of industry insights across borders. Here, Cois Coiribe follows the trajectory of a burgeoning partnership between University of Galway’s J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics and Miami’s FIU College of Business, following an interwoven thread of successful projects and student exchanges.

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Global Impact
26 June 2024
12  MINS

From Ethiopia to Galway: Pursuing justice across the world

Bethlehem Solomon, LLM (General) Student, University of Galway

What are the chances that the paths of two student activists from Ethiopia would cross thousands of kilometres from home? Serendipity has been at work here in the University to bring together two law students, Bethlehem Solomon and Kidist Abebe, both natives of Ethiopia. Now they have joined forces in pursuit of justice and a more equitable world. Their experiences have convinced them of the need for collaboration to achieve these aims and led to them combining their expertise to build on what each has already achieved.      

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Global Impact
26 June 2024
12  MINS

University of Galway Leading the Effort to Tackle Toxic Rhetoric Against Migrants

Tom Felle, Associate Professor in Journalism and Media at the University of Galway

Tom Felle, Associate Professor in Journalism and Media at the University of Galway, has spent three years leading the development of an UN-funded global media literacy programme to respond to the growing threats posed by disinformation targeting refugees and migrants. Here, he writes that the Global Media Migration Academy chimes well with the University’s core value of openness and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

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Global Impact
06 June 2024
10  MINS

Regional Business Summit 2024: Responsible Business, at Scale

J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics at the University of Galway, in partnership with itag, Galway Chamber and Data 2 Sustain, convened 300+ business leaders and policymakers to the University of Galway’s Regional Business Summit (RBS) 2024. This pivotal event served as a platform for discussions on the pressing global challenges confronting businesses in our contemporary landscape.

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Global Impact
12 August 2024
11  MINS

From a Galway Lecture Hall to a Malawi Grocery Stall

Prisca Lawrence Chipao, Co-founder of Empower, Malawi

Alumni of the Irish Centre for Human Rights  at the University of Galway Prisca Lawrence Chipao is co-founder of Empower, Malawi, an initiative that aims to empower Malawian women starting out in business. As in many patriarchal societies, Women in Malawi face many barriers. Chipao tells the story of Melifa Kulemera, who survived an abusive marriage to become financially independent with the help of Empower. The story illustrates the transformative power of targeted support initiatives and is also a fantastic example of how University of Galway is contributing concrete positive effects for individuals in distressed circumstances far across the planet.

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Global Impact
20 June 2024
19  MINS

New Media Technology Threatens Democracy – but the Humanities Can Provide a Counterbalance

Dr Kelly Fincham, Director, BA Global Media, School of English and Creative Arts, University of Galway

When social media first appeared, many embraced it as a great equaliser, but it soon became apparent that the technology, far from being neutral, contained and even magnified the biases of its creators, particularly as regards gender bias and misogyny. The 2014 Gamergate scandal was a missed signal that much technology preferred engagement over ethics. The current controversy around the Scarlett Johansson soundalike AI chatbot perfectly illustrates how AI can amplify existing gender bias. As AI spreads rapidly, we must be clear that we are not simply dealing with technology but with a complex instrument that can shape society – and that critical thinking and the humanities can provide a vital counterbalance.

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Global Impact
22 July 2024
26  MINS

The Future Legacy of (Irish) Theatre: Introducing Nouf Rafea, the Inaugural Siobhán McKenna Award Winner

The legacy of the wonderful Siobhán McKenna, actor and University of Galway alumnus, lives on in many ways, not least in the recent theatre award created by her family in her honour. Its first recipient, multitalented Nouf Rafea, speaks openly about her journey to date, her affinity with languages, and her fellow feeling with Siobhán McKenna as a theatremaker, linguist and activist.

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