Take part in a number of live and pre-recorded talks every year. Recent events include: moderating the Rapid Response to Coronavirus discussions in the Science Gallery and interviewing Nobel laureate Dr William C. Campbell at the Dublin Book Festival.

HIGHLIGHTS:.

May 2022 – Open Newsroom by The Journal 

Moderated a discussion on the power of patient advocacy that was part of The Good Information Project – an initiative by The Journal. This featured independent cancer patient advocate Eileen O’Sullivan, CEO of IPPOSI Derick Mitchell, national manager for the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities Louise Loughlin and reporter Orla Dwyer. To watch back: click here

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January 2020, 2021 & 2022 – Rapid Response to Coronavirus at the Science Gallery

Moderated one of the first coronavirus panel discussions in Ireland in 2020, with experts which included Dr Cillian de Gascun, director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory, and Prof Karina Butler, chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee. The same panel was reassembled in a virtual format in 2021 and 2022 to reflect on the pandemic and what we had since learned. All were livestreamed and can be watched back here: 2020 / 2021 / 2022

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November 2021 – Tough Start Live by Noteworthy

Chaired a panel discussion on with key Traveller advocates on the major investigative series – Tough Start – by Noteworthy and The Journal. The panel features colleague Michelle Hennessy from The Journal, Mary Nevin, community development worker with Longford Traveller Primary Healthcare Project and Anne Burke, Traveller Visibility Group education coordinator. To watch back: click here

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July 2021 – Artist Talk at the PhotoIreland Festival

Interviewed artist Sheng-Wen Lo on his socially engaged practice and scientific approach through projects TUNA and F/EEL. Also addressed the urgent issue of overfishing and transparencies in the sector – both part of NET LOSS, a Noteworthy investigation from April 2021 (read here). For more see: link / To watch back: click here

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June 2021 – Beyond Cheering at the ISTJA

Fireside chat with Dr Declan Fahy, associate professor at DCU’s School of Communications, on the subject: ‘Do scientists take enough of a stand on critical issues?’ The Beyond Cheering series organised by the Irish Science and Technology Journalists’ Association (ISTJA) ran throughout 2021 and took a critical look at science coverage in the Irish media. For more see: link / To watch back: click here

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December 2020 – Dr William C. Campbell at the Dublin Book Festival

Interviewed Nobel laureate, Dr William C. Campbell, about his memoir Catching the Worm as part of the Dublin Book Festival. He recounts his early life in Donegal, his time studying zoology in Trinity College Dublin and his move to the United States to work as a parasitologist. For more see: link / To watch back: click here

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November 2020 – Communicating Covid-19 at DCU

Discussed how the media have performed in communicating Covid-19 as part of a panel at the annual Celsius Research Group Science//Society seminar. The other panellists were Dr Ida Milne – historian of infectious diseases, Cormac Sheridan – science and technology journalist and Brian Trench – science communication researcher. For more see: link / To watch back: click here / Read a report on the event in The Irish Times

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December 2017 – Role of Journalism at SCI:COM

Chair of panel which discussed future of science journalism and its role in creating an open and participatory society. Panel members included: Jonathan McCrea, Claire O’Connell, Olive Heffernan, Anthony King, Sabine Louët, and Tom Kennedy. Event in association with ABSW and ISTJA. For more see: link

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November 2017 – Body Tech Screening at the Science Gallery

Moderator of panel which discussed Bodytech, an episode of the series RTÉ series, Ten Things to Know About. This was a Science Week 2017 event.

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October 2017 – ABSW Workshop on Science Journalism in Queen’s University Belfast

Spoke on a number of panels including ‘How to thrive as a freelance science writer’, ‘Careers in science broadcasting’, and ‘Communicating to a lay audience’.

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June 2015 – 25 Years of WITS at the Inspirefest Fringe

Member of the panel which discussed challenges facing women in STEM.

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May 2014 & 2015 – Communication workshop at the UCD Innovation Academy

Invited to give a workshop on communication to current PhD students from UCD and Trinity College Dublin.  Following the workshop, students have successfully published articles and set up their own blogs.

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November / December 2014 & May 2015- Journalism career talk in Trinity College

Invited to give a talk on my career as a science and health journalist to the Genetics Society and again at the Genetics Alumni Gathering the following month in 2014. Also, gave a ‘Career in Science Journalism’ at the PRTLI Careers Workshop, May 2015.

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April 2014 & November 2015 – Talk at Cool Jobs in the Science Gallery, Dublin 

Spoke about science journalism (watch it here) and participated in the career ‘speed-dating’ following the series of talks. This was aimed at undergraduate and transition year students.