Civic and Public Engagement
WIDER SOCIETY AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC
From the annual, Galway Science and technology Festival through to a variety of other innovative projects, we engage with the public on the importance and impact of STEM in our daily lives.
Aille Engaged
'Aille Engaged' is a citizen science project that aims to increase local awareness of the dynamics of rainfall and river flow in the catchment area of the Aille River in North Clare.
The project is supported by funding from Geological Survey Ireland and is managed by hydrogeologist Dr. Tiernan Henry, Earth and Ocean Sciences at University of Galway and geologist Dr. Eamon Doyle, Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark.
Local citizen science participants are provided through the Lisdoonvarna Historical Society, Lisdoonvarna Fáilte and other local residents that live in the catchment area of the Aille River.
Bright Club
Bright Club is a variety night featuring academic researchers doing stand-up-comedy-style sets about their research. The events take place in an informal setting with professional production values, including comedians and other professional performers, and videos of the sets are released on YouTube.
80+ Bright Club events have run in Ireland, reaching an audience of 5000+ people in person and 90,000+ online. Over 200 academics, across all disciplines, have participated in speaker training and shows, with glowing reviews from audiences and the press.
Bright Club also hosts a podcast, You’re Up Next, about using comedy to communicate research, and is funded by the Community Knowledge Initiative, CÚRAM, and the University of Galway Research Office.
Follow Brightclub on Facebook and Twitter
Centre For Astronomy Public Engagement
Improving public understanding of science in general and of astronomy in particular.
Creative Parents
The aim of Creative Parents is to develop the creative thinking skills of parents, of school age children, through the delivery of face-to-face workshops, combined with digital microlearning.
Follow Creative Parents on Facebook and Twitter
Crowd4Access
Crowd4Access is a citizen science project. It is a partnership between citizens and professional technology researchers who come together to learn how accessible are the footpaths of Irish cities.
Our goal is to engage citizens in mapping the accessibility of footpaths for people using different mobility modes.
Follow Crowd4Access on Twitter
CÚRAM Education and Public Engagement Programme
CÚRAM’s goal is to improve the lives of people living with illnesses such as Parkinsons Disease, diabetes and heart disease.
The title of CÚRAM’s Education and Public Engagement Programme is "Breaking Barriers" as it aims to engage with under-engaged and under-represented audiences.
The initiative has three residency programmes: teachers in residence, filmmakers in residence and artists in residence, and with each of these residency programmes CÚRAM finds new ways of interacting with audiences.
Engineers Week Family Fun Day
The Family Fun Day provides engineering shows and activities that will inspire the next generation of engineers as they learn about the world around us.
Galway Science & Technology Festival
The Galway Science and Technology Festival is Ireland's premier event for the promotion of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The first festival took place in 1998 and over the years it has thrilled, inspired, educated and instilled a passion for STEM in all ages. The aim of the Festival is to inspire young people to develop an interest in science and technology, and consider these fields for their future studies and career. The festival engages with people of all ages and encourages them to be curious and interested in the world around us.
Follow the Galway Science and Technology Festival on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & Youtube
Famelab Galway
FameLab is the world's leading science communication competition. It is designed to inspire, motivate and develop scientists and engineers to actively engage with the public and stakeholders. It has seen more than 9000 emerging scientists and engineers participate from over 30 countries since 2007.
The Galway regional competition is organised by University of Galway since 2016 and runs in the middle of the city in An Taibhdhearc theatre. It has seen more than 35 scientists based in the west of Ireland taking part.
Successful candidates who make it through the initial regional heat stage attend an all-expenses paid communication masterclass as well as The FameLab Ireland Final held at the Science Gallery, Dublin.
Video: Learn more about Famelab
Follow Famelab Galway on Twitter
Insight Centre for Data Analytics
Our projects include coding and app-making courses in schools and with Coderdojo; "BEO" digital local heritage archiving; Internet Safety/Cyberbullying Awareness workshops for parents, teachers and young people; career talks; IT awareness sessions for older people; coordinating schools' involvement in Galway Science & Technology Festival; and Girls Hack Ireland.
The centre hosts the Computer & Communications museum of Ireland, was the location for the first ever Coderdojo in Galway city and established IT learning facilities in Direct Provision centres across Connacht.
I'm an Engineer get me out of here
I'm an Engineer is a student-led online engagement activity. Second-level students engage with working engineers.
All engineering-related professionals are welcome to apply.
James Mitchell Geology Museum
Nicknamed Galway's "hidden museum", the James Mitchell geology museum has a large collection of rare rocks, ancient fossils and precious gems on display.
Tucked away in the University's oldest building, its charming setting takes you back in time to when the University first began in 1845.
Near Health
NEAR Health investigates how Nature and Environment can help society attain and restore health. We aim to connect people with nature to benefit their health and wellbing.
We collaborate with communities to co-create and/or assess inclusive nature-based activies that promote and restore health and wellbeing, helping us value and care for our environment.
Pint of Science
Pint of Science is an international science festival that brings some of the most brilliant scientists to local pubs to discuss their latest research and findings with the general public.
The festival runs in 21 countries on the 3rd week of May. In Ireland, it takes place in Galway, Cork, Dublin and Limerick
Follow PintofScience on Twitter
ReelLife Science
ReelLife Science is a nationwide STEM engagement programme, which encourages the public to discover more about STEM and its impact on individuals, society and the environment.
Participants from all ages from schools and community groups are challenged to research a scientific topic and communicate it for the public via an engaging three-minute video
Video: ReelLife Science Explained
Follow ReelLife Science on Twitter
Soapbox Science
Soapbox Science brings science to the streets, targeting members of the public who may not have sought out science outreach, and promoting the visibility of women in science, technology, engineering and maths.
The event consists of 12 female speakers, who take turns standing on wooden soapboxes in a public space explaining their research, selected from a variety of STEM fields, institutions, and career levels. Soapbox Science has taken place since 2017 at the Spanish Arch in Galway, and is organised by the WiSTEM Society and supported by the University of Galway Research Office.
STEAM Learning Community
Galway STEAM Learning Community: A collaborative network promoting creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning for all.
Are you passionate about growing the STEAM community?
Those involved with science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and arts in Galway are invited to a discussion, networking & visioning event for a new STEAM Learning Community!
Threesis
Threesis invites researchers at University of on a journey. To communicate research stories - clearly and concisely to a public audience.
Zoology Museum
The zoology museum at University of Galway has over 500 specimens on display from a broad range of animal groups.
Since opening in 2009, the museum has attracted huge numbers of visitors, ranging from the general public to school parties to visiting researchers and academics.
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