About Dundalk Institute of Technology
Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) traces its origins to Dundalk Regional Technical College, established in 1969. It adopted its current name in 1998, marking a significant shift towards applied research, enterprise support, and innovation. Since then, research has expanded into structured centres focused on water, renewable and environmental sciences, information and communication technology, ageing and health, and the creative arts. In November 2025, DkIT and Queen’s University Belfast announced a major partnership that will establish the institute as a University College of Queen’s University Belfast. This development strengthens cross-border collaboration in education, research, and innovation, providing a shared platform for growth in health, engineering, the environment, digital technologies, and enterprise.
Location and Regional Context
DkIT is located on Ireland’s east coast, midway on the Dublin–Belfast corridor, c. 7km from the Northern Ireland border. The institute serves the wider North East and cross-border region. This location shapes its research priorities. The region boasts a robust agri-food and manufacturing sector, significant offshore energy potential, pressing coastal management needs, and active cross-border economic development. Research on renewable energy, catchments and water, nature-based solutions, circular economy and small and medium enterprise innovation all grow directly from these regional conditions. Sustainability and climate action work is anchored in the local environment and economy.
Research and Education
The institute offers taught and research postgraduate programmes, including MSc Sustainable Food Technology and Innovation and MSc Renewable Energy Systems. Masters by Research and PhD pathways support advanced study in environmental and applied science. Research is integrated into teaching through industry projects, enterprise modules, and community outreach initiatives. Initiatives such as H2O Heroes, the Sustainable Development Goals Trail, and Education for Sustainable Development activities promote sustainability across the campus and the wider region.
Research activity is organised through centres and clusters, including the Centre for Freshwater and Environmental Studies (CFES), the Centre for Renewables and Energy Technology (CREDIT) Gateway, NetwellCASALA, the Regulated Software Research Centre, the Smooth Muscle Research Centre and the Consolidating Research Enterprise Alliances Through Engagement cluster (CREATE). These centres support research and innovation in the environment, energy, health, ageing and software. Industry and public sector engagement are delivered through the Regional Development Centre, the Technology Transfer Office, cluster initiatives, consultancy, and knowledge exchange.
Innovation, Partnerships and Cross Border Activity
The annual external research and innovation income stands between €4 and €5 million, with €22 to €25 million secured over the past five years from state, European Union, and regional sources. This includes support from Research Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the European Union Horizon Framework Programme, and the European Union Peace Plus Programme. Partnerships with regional and national stakeholders are central to the research mission of DkIT. The CREDIT Gateway collaborates with firms in advanced manufacturing, the bioeconomy, renewable energy, food and agritech, and information and communication technology. The Higher Education Authority Corporate Partnership Programme and the wider CREATE initiative link the institute with over one hundred enterprise partners. Longstanding collaboration with NetwellCASALA and the Regulated Software Research Centre connects the institute with Research Ireland and European Union Peace Plus-funded Health Futures, Technology, Innovation, and Collaboration programme across Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. The institute through CFES is a partner in the ResiRiver project, which promotes resilient river systems and nature-based solutions across Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Recent collaboration with Eirmersive also demonstrates strong digital innovation capacity. The memorandum of understanding on extended reality and the InterTrade Ireland award that followed a PRISM event on campus show a direct pathway from engagement to funded cross-border activity.
Support for Researchers
The institute supports researchers through structured programmes, central research services, and targeted training. The Higher Education Authority Performance Agreement includes a training framework focused on increasing awards from national and European Union funders. Under the Technological University Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise scheme and the Consolidating Research Enterprise Alliances Through Engagement project, DkIT has expanded its research support team to strengthen proposal development and industry engagement.
Environmental research in DkIT
The institute plays a national role in environmental and sustainability research and action over the last 20 years, since the establishment of the Centre for Freshwater and Environmental Studies (CFES) in the School of Health and Science. CFES is an active and vibrant research centre engaging in inter- and multi-disciplinary research across three main themes: Water, Communities & Catchments, Agri-Environmental Management, and Environmental Education. Research in this thematic area supports strategic alliances and partnerships with major external organisations in key areas, including water, climate action, governance, and sustainable communities. CFES has become a significant player in the environmental sector with important International and National projects, funded through a variety of sources including Interreg NWE, SFI National Challenge Fund, MCSA ITN and others. CFES has a close and longstanding working relationship with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS), An Fórum Uisce | Water Forum, and various NGOs, such as Development Perspectives and the Rivers Trust of Ireland, including ORCCA. In addition to supporting communities, the learnings and knowledge generated in CFES have a grounded validity across the water and environment sectors in Ireland. CFES currently hosts the annual Nature-Based Solutions conference, in collaboration with the Local Authority Waters Programme.
Environ 2026
DkIT will host the 36th Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium, Environ 2026, from 27 to 29 April 2026. The theme of Environ 2026, “Habits and Habitats, Adapting Sustainable Practices for Environmental Protection”, aligns with DKIT. Work on sustainable water management, climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and nature-based solutions supports the focus on habitats. Research on environmental education, governance, renewable energy, and sustainable production supports the focus on habits. Activities on the circular bioeconomy, agri-environmental management, and emerging contaminants strengthen the role of DKIT in developing practical solutions across rural-urban, riverine and agricultural settings, with a clear focus on adoption and implementation. This year’s colloquium will feature an expanded and diverse range of session themes, designed to capture the breadth of contemporary environmental science. These sessions aim to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and provide a space for innovative research that addresses both the scientific and societal aspects of environmental protection. Please see conference poster here for a full list of session themes.
Environ 2026 is expected to attract early-career and established researchers, bringing together approximately three hundred delegates. Oral and poster sessions, student competitions, networking events, Early Career Network activities, and a conference dinner will feature across the programme.
Environ 2026 Opening Speakers:
Environ 2026 Plenary Speakers:
The institute expects a strong legacy from Environ 2026. Planned outcomes include new joint projects with partners in water, climate services, circular economy, sustainability and nature-based solutions; expanded postgraduate and early-career networks; and increased co-supervision and doctoral enrolment. The event may produce a proceedings volume or special issue featuring research from the North East. Follow-up activities, such as nature-based solutions workshops and catchment training schools, will extend the impact of the conference. The involvement of the DkIT Sustainability Team and their role in sustainability initiatives, the circular economy, and wider engagement on the SDGs will further strengthen the national profile of DKIT in water, agri-environmental management, nature-based solutions, and sustainability education.
Registration Fees for Environ 2026
List of workshops:
Workshop 1: Climate Resources and Services for Environmental Researchers. Facilitators: Dr Joseph Lynch (DkIT); Dr Jack McDonnell; Dr Padraig Flattery (MET Eireann/NFCS).
Workshop 2: DkIT Wind Turbine Tour & History. Facilitators: Raymond Byrne (DkIT.
Workshop 3: Bioinformatics tools workshop – Phylogenetics Practical workshop and Sequence Processing. Facilitators: Dr Sergio Moreira (DkIT).
Workshop 4: AI in Environmental Science (tbc). Facilitators: Dr Abhishek Kaushik (DkIT).
Click here for more information on workshops.
We look forward to welcoming you to Environ 2026.
Dr Sarah Murnaghan and Dr Sarpong Hammond Antwi,
Environ 2026 Conference Co-Convenors
Dundalk Institute of Technology
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