Dr. Barry Hayes, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, has been appointed to the editorial board of the prestigious international journal IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid. The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) is the world’s largest professional organization for engineers and technologists, with over 500,000 members in more than 190 countries. The IEEE Transactions journals are widely regarded as the leading venues for publication of new technical research developments and advancements in the field of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid is the highest-ranked international journal focused on electrical power grids, and Barry becomes the first Irish researcher to be appointed to its editorial board. Barry already serves the IEEE through contributions to technical working groups and the development of new IEEE standards in the area of smart grid interoperability. He also serves as an associate editor in IEEE Transactions in Energy Markets.

We are delighted to publish our first edition of the UCC School of Engineering and Architecture newsletter — our new quarterly roundup of research, people, achievements, and news from across the School. This issue includes: Student achievements Staff news, awards, and industry engagement from across the School Research funding wins Outreach highlights Please click and enjoy this first edition, 'a testament to the hard work of our students, staff and partners'!

Congratulations to Dr Zili Li, School of Engineering & Architecture, who along with other leading researchers in UCC has secured 6.2 million Euro in funding under the Research Ireland Infrastructure Programme, strengthening national capability in advanced materials, semiconductors and quantum technologies. A cornerstone of this success is the new Quantum Sensing Laboratory (QSL), Ireland’s first dedicated facility for quantum sensing and quantum-enabled gravimetry. The initiative involves the pioneering work of Professor Alix McCollam, who as Director of UCC Futures Quantum & Photonics is helping to shape an ambitious vision for quantum and photonics research at UCC.