UCC Symposium Highlights Research Shaping the Future of Rural Ireland

25 Sep 2026

Over 150 international and national researchers, policymakers and rural development experts gathered at University College Cork to attend the Our Rural Future: HEI Rural Development Research Symposium 2026. 

The purpose of the symposium, the first to take place in over 20 years, was to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing rural Ireland in a period of significant economic, social and environmental change.

The event showcased contemporary research on rural resilience, enterprise development, climate transition, public services and infrastructure, with contributors highlighting the importance of evidence-based policymaking and place-based, community-led solutions including rural social enterprises. Discussions focused on issues including rural service provision, biodiversity, sustainable food systems, rural tourism, digital connectivity, offshore island sustainability and access to transport and healthcare in rural communities.

Commenting on the event, Professor Mary O’Shaughnessy, Cork University Business School, said:

“This symposium brought together established and newly emerging rural researchers, national and international rural development policy experts and rural stakeholders to reinforce the importance of building evidence that supports effective rural policy and sustainable rural development. It emphasised that rural areas are diverse and require place-based, evidence-led approaches to address their particular economic, social, and environmental challenges and to realise their unique opportunities for development."

Opening the symposium were Professor John F. Cryan, Vice-President for Research and Innovation at UCC, and Jerry Buttimer, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and at the Department of Transport. A panel discussion featuring national and international experts explored the evidence and policy priorities needed to support vibrant, resilient rural communities over the coming decade. Convened by Professor Mary O’Shaughnessy, Cork University Business School, and Dr David Meredith, Teagasc, the symposium brought together representatives from higher education institutions, government agencies and international organisations, including the OECD.

Speaking at the symposium, Professor John F. Cryan, UCC Vice-President for Research and Innovation, said:

“We are delighted at University College Cork to welcome the first Higher Education Institutional (HEI) Rural Development Research Symposium in over 20 years. The symposium, co-convened by UCC and Teagasc and moderated by UCC Professor Mary O’Shaughnessy, brings together leading researchers, academics, policymakers and practitioners to explore the opportunities and challenges facing rural Ireland. The symposium provides an important forum for connecting research, policy and practice. By bringing together diverse perspectives and evidence from across the rural development community, this symposium will inform the policies and actions needed to support thriving rural places and communities into the future.”

A central component of the symposium was a dedicated PhD and Early Career Researcher Poster Session, bringing together 33 research posters from higher education institutions across Ireland and providing emerging researchers with an opportunity to showcase their work and connect with researchers, policymakers, practitioners and other rural stakeholders.

The symposium reinforced the important role of research, evidence-based policy, partnerships and a place-based approach to address current rural challenges and support sustainable rural development across Ireland’s towns, villages, islands and farming communities.