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Environ 2024, 34th Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium

34th Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium
“Harvest to Harbour: Research from Soil to Sea”

Environ 2024, the 34th Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium themed “Harvest to Harbour: Research from Soil to Sea” was a collaboration between the Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland (ESAI) and the South East Technological University, Waterford (SETU) from 25th March to 27th March 2024. This year over 250 delegates from Ireland and further afield came together in SETUs Waterford campus. Environ offers a high-visibility platform for both young and experienced researchers to present their findings to an audience of academia, government bodies and agencies, as well as industry representatives .Download conference poster here.

The theme of Environ 2024 was “Harbour to Harvest: Research from Soil to Sea” echoing most of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals such as ‘Good Health & Well Being’, ‘Clean Water & Sanitation’, ‘Affordable & Clean Energy’, ‘Decent Work & Economic Growth’, ‘Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure’, ‘Sustainable cities & Communities’, ‘Responsible consumption & Production’, ‘Climate Action’, ‘Life Below Water’, ‘Life on Land’ etc. ENVIRON 2024 reflected how research in different areas could collaborate to create solutions for a healthy and sustainable nature and environment for the wellbeing of all the living organisms in this world.

The conference commenced on Monday, 25th March 2024, with a choice of two guided field trips. Anne Valley Park walk is a community-developed amenity, encompassing woodland and wetland, from Dunhill (ruins of Dunhill Castle) to the seaside village of Annestown. Copper Coast Geopark a 25km coastline and UNESCO Global Geopark, which displays a spectacular record of the earth’s past linked cultural and intangible heritage and community activism. Delegates attending both walks had a great time and enjoyed the nature walk and the knowledge of the tour guides.

In the afternoon an interactive “Greener Lab” workshop encouraged lab users to look at how they can reduce the environmental impact of lab practices without impacting the quality of work. 68 people attended the workshop where great talks and discussion between guest speakers and delegates on ideas to be greener in laboratory research took place. Guest speakers included: Dr. Jane Kilcoyne, Analytical Chemist from the Marine Institute, Mr. Jack O'Grady, Senior Program Manager, My Green Lab, Dr. Una Fitzgerald, Director of Galway Neuroscience & Founder of Galway Green Lab and this was chaired by Dr. Niall O'Reilly, Manager of PMBRC, SETU.

On Monday evening a wine reception, photography exhibition by Tasneem Khan and public engagement panel discussion on “How to Run your Business Sustainably” was hosted at the SETU Waterford campus. Over 75 people attened this event which included guest speakers Enda Buckley, Director of Sustainability, Carbery Group, Ben Dallaghan, Project Manager, Bord lascaigh Mhara, Mark Stafford, Nature & Sustainability Manager, Danone, Kieran Ryan, Energy & Sustainability Lead, MSD Ireland, Malio Power, Managing Director, Monkey Reusable Product Ltd and chaired by Tess Ames, Ocular Therapeutics Research Group Manager. Speakers from different fields discussed what their companies are doing sustainably for the environment, with great engagement and interest from the general public. Feedback from the speakers and attendees was very positive and encouraging, as they noted that the talks have changed their mindset and they feel encouraged to do something in their workplace for the environment. The talks by speakers from different fields also allowed them to have updates from across different spectrum of fields in Ireland are doing sustainably in their company.

The second day of the conference, Tuesday, 26th March, began with a welcome address and opening speeches from the President of SETU, Prof. Veronica Campbell, SETU Conference Convenor Dr. Graece Tan, Dr. Peter McLoughlin, Head of School of Science and Computing, & ESAI Chairperson, Dr Niamh Power. This was followed by a keynote talk from Grace O’Sullivan, Green Party MP, Member of the European Parliament and member of the European Green Party and Dr. Tara Higgins, Program Manager of EPA’s Evidence Programme.

Parallel sessions for the following two days fell under a number of thematic areas: Maximising Marine & Coastal Resources, Future Proofing Our Forests, Biodiversity & Ecosystems, Sustainable & Regenerative Agriculture, Soil Health & Use, Wastewater Treatment & Management, Environmental Monitoring, Land and Sea Carbon Capture, Water Quality & Health, Green Chemistry for Sustainable Development, Sustainable Energy Development, Waste Management & Circular Economy, Sustainable & Green Building, Planning for Climate Change, Climate Policy & Communication, Incorporating Sustainability into the Curriculum. Click here to read the book of abstracts.

There was a dynamic mix of presentations from environmental researchers including a number of 5 minute short presentations from early-stage researchers. This year over 80 presenters came to share their research.

Dedicated networking poster sessions featured throughout the day where over 55 posters were displayed.

The second day concluded with the Gala Dinner at the Tower Hotel in Waterford City, followed by music and dancing.

The last day of the conference, Wednesday 27th March 2024 commenced with a talk by Tasneem Khan, the founder of SEA School in Dunmore East, Waterford, followed again by oral parallel sessions and a dedicated networking poster session. The conference concluded with a student award ceremony recognising ‘Best In Conference’ with €2750 to award in various categories. Click here to see all prize winners and articles on their resaerch. Delegates were also treated to a special performance by James Lowry a PhD student at Maynooth University to close out Environ 2024 with his song BioBeo.