Looking Back at the ENLIGHT Teaching & Learning Conference 2024

Hosted by University of Tartu, the 4th annual ENLIGHT Teaching & Learning Conference took place from 7 to 9 October 2024. Here, our ENLIGHT colleague Kathryn Kozarits takes us behind the scenes.

Day 1

Although we were bleary eyed at the start of the day, I’m delighted we got the early flight to Tallinn from Dublin because it gave us a little time to explore sunny Tartu before we headed to the Conference Opening Dinner. We walked through Old Town and enjoyed the beautiful architecture of the Town Hall Square. No better time than right now to be in Tartu, as it’s the 2024 European Capital of Culture.

The Opening Dinner was held at a fantastic venue along the Emajõgi river called Lodjakoda (Barge Hall). The building, intended for the construction of historic ships, also operates as a theme park, museum, exhibition site and shipbuilding centre for old wooden ships.

At the dinner, awards for student projects in Inclusion and Sustainability were awarded. Galway had great success, with two silver medals:

Inclusion Award – Madeleine Moffatt for the Freedom & Justice for Palestinian People project.
Sustainability Award – Peter O'Neill on behalf of Molly Hickey for their Recycled Runway project.

Peter O'Neill accepts the Sustainability Awards on behalf of Molly Hickey. Photo credit: Zeinab Mirojeva

Peter O'Neill accepts the Sustainability Awards on behalf of Molly Hickey. Photo credit: Zeinab Mirojeva

Day 2

We had a lovely stroll in the morning sunshine to the conference venue, the historic main building of the University of Tartu.

The conference opened with interesting keynote by Laura-Maija Hero of the Häme University of Applied Sciences and then it was onto the sessions. Highlights include Majella Perry’s talk on Designing Futures’ Student Success Coaching and Ciara Smyth and Emily Kelly’s (pics named) presentation on the lecturer and student approach to interactive orals as a creative means of assessment.

The highlight of today was, by far, the evening’s Teaching and Learning Awards ceremony. We were on the edge of our seats waiting for the winner to be announced and delighted that our own Una Murray and Hanna-Kaisa Hoppania took second place for their Equity and Sustainability Transitions Summer School. So proud!

L to R: Zeinäb Mirzojeva – Lecturer at University of Tartu, Dr Una Murray – School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies at University of Galway, Daniel McGonigle, PhD Candidate at University of Galway.

L to R: Zeinäb Mirzojeva – Lecturer at University of Tartu, Dr Una Murray – School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies at University of Galway, Daniel McGonigle, PhD Candidate at University of Galway.

Day 3

We managed to gather most of our Galway delegation together on the morning of the last day of the conference for a group shot before we all dispersed to the various morning sessions, including David Doolin’s and Antonia Musolff’s presentations.

We wouldn’t be Irish if we didn’t find a little bit of home wherever we go and Tartu was no exception. On our way to lunch we found this little gem, recognise it??