Impact & Opinions | Tionchar & Tuairimí

Innovation

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SDG Champion
19 December 2023
17  MINS

A Better World Through Better Business

Dr Johanna Clancy

In a 1970 essay for The New York Times, Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman stated that “The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase Its Profits.” Fast-forward over 50 years, business is confronted with major socioeconomic, environmental and geopolitical disruptions, challenged as never before to adapt, be relevant and contribute solutions to the world’s pressing issues (AACSB Pathways) – as well as making profits.

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SDG Champion
18 December 2023
15  MINS

The Learning Commons: A Library, Reimagined

Monica Crump

Monica Crump, Interim University Librarian explores this radically different library of the future, supporting collaboration, creativity and new forms of teaching, learning and engagement.

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SDG Champion
18 December 2023
19  MINS

Alumni Spotlight: Sam  Murphy-Kerry, Accenture

Sam Murphy-Kerry

University of Galway graduate and business strategy leader, Sam Murphy-Kerry is the North America Director at the Sustainability Studio at Accenture Song, the tech-powered creative group of Accenture. Accenture Song’s Sustainability Studio is dedicated to making sustainability relevant and actionable for everyone. As the business world increasingly faces pressing calls for sustainable action, creativity and strategy have never been more important. Here, Sam explains to Cois Coiribe why sustainability and growth, by definition, “ought to go hand in hand.”

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SDG Champion
15 December 2023
18  MINS

Imagine a Futuristic, Sustainable City between Galway and Dublin

Prof Padraic Kenna

We like to mix the global and the local in Galway. We talk a lot about climate, justice, land and housing, which is why the Sustainable Development Goals mean so much to us. Our greatest task now is to envisage the carbon-free, sustainable and inclusive communities of the future. ‘THE LINE’ offers a glimpse into what these could look like. 

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SDG Champion
15 December 2023
23  MINS

Shaping MedTech’s Future: Gerry Kilcommins, Medtronic

Gerry Kilcommins

Medtronic’s Vice President of Global Platform Manufacturing & Medtronic Ireland Country Director, Gerry Kilcommins sits down with Cois Coiribe to discuss corporate responsibility in healthcare and sustainability, and the significance of the Medtronic–University of Galway partnership in cementing Galway’s place at the epicenter of one of top world MedTech hubs.

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SDG Champion
17 November 2023
17  MINS

Aligning our Research with Sustainable Development Goals

Prof James Livesey

In today’s hyper developed and interconnected world, we see isolated actions give rise to global repercussions like never before. As a framework for addressing global issues, the UN Sustainable Development Goals are a call to action for universities to consider the wider impact of their research. Here VP for Research & Innovation, Prof James Livesey explains how the SDGs have inspired a new approach to research strategy and prioritisation.

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Resilient Innovation
06 July 2023
10  MINS

Spotlight On: Alum, Deepak Kumar Jain, NetApp

Deepak Kumar Jain

Deepak Kumar Jain is senior manager of software engineering at data company, NetApp. An alum of University of Galway, Deepak has vast experience in software development, leading multi-million product releases from start to end, in countries including France, Germany, India and Ireland. Here, Deepak shares his thoughts on emerging technologies to watch out for, and the West of Ireland’s unique appeal as a region for education and innovation.

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Resilient Innovation
29 June 2023
9  MINS

Foreword from the President

Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, President of University of Galway 

Fáilte go Cois Coiribe. Tá sé lán go béal arís i mbliana le luachanna na hollscoile s’againne, luachanna atá go smior inár gcomhluadar.  I am particularly pleased that, once more, Cois Coiribe is replete with our values as a university community, as a university for the public good.

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Resilient Innovation
28 June 2023
20  MINS

Propelling Innovation: University of Galway Spinouts

Today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape requires constant innovation. Founded in 2006, University of Galway’s Innovation Office is a hub for entrepreneurs, startups and established companies alike to propel their ventures to new heights in a supported environment.

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Resilient Innovation
26 June 2023
8  MINS

Regional Business Summit: Engaging People and Leading on Sustainability

In partnership with ITAG and Galway Chamber, J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics’ Regional Business Summit: Engaging People and Leading on Sustainability was a highly anticipated event at University of Galway, drawing over 150 business leaders, policymakers and sustainability advocates from regional industries and sectors. The summit, held on 31 March 2023, aimed to foster dialogue, collaboration and innovation to address pressing environmental and social challenges while promoting sustainable economic growth in the West of Ireland.

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Resilient Innovation
22 June 2023
19  MINS

An Mheitheal Rothar: Pioneering a New Model for the Circular Economy

Dr Sinéad Mitchell, Lecturer, Sustainability and Strategy, College of Business, Public Policy and Law; , Catherine  Coote, Co-Founder,  An Mheitheal Rothar,

Today’s economy, defined by in-built obsolescence, relies on the extraction of over 90% virgin materials from the earth. Pioneering a new model for the ‘social startup’ based at University of Galway, An Mheitheal Rothar (AMR) is determined to show us that a circular economy is possible in the West of Ireland. Lecturer in Sustainability and Strategy, Dr Sinéad Mitchell and AMR cofounder, Catherine Coote tells us exactly what makes this unique model a success.  

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Resilient Innovation
22 June 2023
17  MINS

Lua Health: How Algorithms Can Help Detect Mental Health Issues at Work

Mihael Arcan, Fionn Delahunty

With support from the University of Galway, Lua Health is working to overcome the stigma around mental health in the workplace. Using machine-learning algorithms – this research-led start-up interprets how we speak and write at work to detect early signs of poor mental wellbeing – combining expertise in both natural language processing and clinical psychology.

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Creative Galway
27 January 2023
24  MINS

How Do We Value Creativity After AI?

Professor John McHale

However troubling to today’s creatives, the rapid development of AI has generated a high demand for a new kind of skillset, one that is arguably creative in its own right. What do these changes in the skills economy mean for educators and institutions? Economist Prof John McHale reports on recent research unpacking the value of creative skills after AI, and the role of star recruitment in catalysing these creative skills in institutions. Finally, McHale looks at the question mark lingering over the value of the creative economy, through the lens of cost-benefit analysis.

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Creative Galway
13 January 2023
12  MINS

Innovation: “It Takes a Village”

W. Bernard Carlson

Contrary to the familiar image of the solitary inventor, Prof W. Bernard Carlson makes it clear that innovators never work alone. Drawing on pivotal examples in engineering and design, from the Buick automobile to the glass-ceramic wedding gift, Carlson presents innovation as a collective undertaking—a shaping of the path through which a product finds meaning.

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Creative Galway
11 January 2023
11  MINS

Making a Cultural Galway

Dr. Patrick Collins

Creativity as an aspirational goal has found its way into policy and popular discourse in recent years. It is a goal that, according to Patrick Collins – University of Galway Lecturer and author of the upcoming Galway: Making a Capital of Culture – requires a historical, cultural and geographical context. While Galway boasts a rich creative economy, here Patrick asks: does it have the capacity to support young creatives to make new types of culture in the future? Feature image: Artist: Galway Community Circus. Performance/event: LifeLine. Photographer: Emilija Jefremova.

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15 December 2022
22  MINS

Spinout Success  

Ours is a thriving region, renowned for its culture, creativity, technology and innovation. Our research-driven university is at the heart of this distinctive region and the efforts of the Innovation Office underpins our impact and innovation ecosystem.

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Sustainability
23 June 2022
16  MINS

The Power of ‘Enough’ – From efficiency to sufficiency

Prof Frances Fahy

What is the maximum level of consumption you need in order to live a good life? While lacking the cool factor of ‘clean’ tech, questions like this one around habit and social expectations are just as crucial in encouraging a mass shift towards sustainability. Through extensive research and case studies, Prof Frances Fahy has learned that less is certainly more in the fight against the climate crisis.

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AI & Human Creativity
13 January 2022
16  MINS

The Need for Shared Digital Infrastructure

Edward Curry

Put simply, ‘big data’ refers to datasets that are so large, varied, and fast, they are difficult or impossible to process using traditional methods. With access to such complex information, organisations can learn more about their customers and operations, and in turn, develop AI solutions that give them a competitive edge. Who has the scale and expertise to manage big data systems, and who gets left behind? Established Professor of Data Science, Edward Curry considers a more sustainable data ecosystem, in which the benefits of AI are evenly distributed.

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AI & Human Creativity
05 January 2022
16  MINS

To “Black Box” or not to “Black Box”?

Dr Anastasia Griva

Anastasia Griva poses a troubling question: Is inherently non-explainable ‘Black Box’ AI morally acceptable?

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AI & Human Creativity
21 December 2021
17  MINS

The Unintended Consequences of People Analytics

Eoin Whelan

In recent years, we have seen various industries turn to data-driven ‘people analytics’ to gain a competitive edge in management and recruitment. Eoin Whelan encourages us to take note of the unintended consequences of these emerging technologies – reminding us that the metrics we form, form us in turn.

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AI & Human Creativity
17 December 2021
27  MINS

Will AI Help or Hinder Human Empowerment?

Murray Scott|Bill Schmarzo

Murray Scott is joined by Bill Schmarzo – Data Management Innovation Customer Advocate, Dell Technologies, recognised industry thought leader in Business Intelligence and Honorary Professor in the J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics at NUI Galway – in a discussion on the ethical issues surrounding AI and the importance of human creativity. Together, they identify what role NUI Galway can play in this Fourth Industrial Revolution. The following is an abridged version of the Cois Coiribe podcast episode.

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17 December 2021
8  MINS

Editor’s Note

A note from the editorial team of the Cois Coiribe winter edition, ‘AI and Human Creativity’.

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AI & Human Creativity
16 December 2021
7  MINS

The Creative Spark – How Will Innovation be Affected by the Absence of a Watercooler?

Prof Esther Tippmann

Esther Tipmann reminds us of the critical role of human skills and competences; while technology platforms to support innovative work in an online or hybrid setting have improved, they are not yet able to replace the casual cognitive synergies and frictions that occur when being present in the same place.

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AI & Human Creativity
16 December 2021
11  MINS

Digital Doctors: How AI Will Improve Your Health

Prof Derek O'Keeffe

The impact of Artificial Intelligence on health systems will be far reaching. Dr Derek O’Keeffe discusses the AI that is already making a difference at University College Hospital Galway (UCHG).

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16 December 2021
18  MINS

In Conversation with Digital Artist, Dr. EL Putnam

Dr. EL Putnam, lecturer in Digital Media, NUI Galway

Dr. EL Putnam is an internationally recognised digital artist and a lecturer in Digital Media at NUI Galway. EL’s practice discovers new ways of thinking about the relationship between the body and data; her artworks and performances have travelled to the United States, Europe and beyond. Recent experiments have seen the artist create generative animations using biometric data, such as heart rate and oxygen levels. In this interview, EL shares her thoughts on creativity, education and the materiality of technology.

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AI & Human Creativity
16 December 2021
15  MINS

Automating Away What is Dangerous, Dirty, Dull and Difficult

Dr James McDermott, Lecturer, School of Computer Science, NUI Galway

Automation has rescued millions of people from jobs that are dangerous, dirty, or just plain drudge – and we’re just at the beginning of the AI revolution. Dr James McDermott ponders the critical issue of what we will do when machines do lots more of our work. 

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AI & Human Creativity
16 December 2021
9  MINS

AI Giving New Insights to Microbiologists

Kevin McDonnell

Kevin McDonnell’s Master’s thesis led to a collaboration between Computer Science and Microbiology with immense potential for re-evaluating previous studies and extending the techniques into new areas such as cancer detection.

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AI & Human Creativity
16 December 2021
15  MINS

Is it Time for the Leaving Certificate to Leave School? – Designing a Secondary Education System for Creativity and Innovation 

Dr Tony Hall

Dr Tony Hall argues that it is time to say ‘Slán’ to the Leaving Cert, and instead design an educational future that foregrounds and promotes creativity and innovation.

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10 December 2021
14  MINS

Artificial Intelligence Demystified – What is it All About?

Prof. Michael Madden

Artificial Intelligence (AI) might appear to be a very new idea, as it has loomed large in public discourse in recent years. The history of AI is, however, almost as long as that of computer science generally – and it’s very far from over, says Prof. Michael Madden.

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Internationalisation
27 September 2021
14  MINS

In Conversation With: Dr Anthony J. Windebank

Dr Anthony J. Windebank, professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic, discusses the importance of global collaborations within medical research, and the impact that internationalisation has had on his career.

articles
15 December 2020
14  MINS

A University for the Future – Serving the Public Good

Prof Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh

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