• Discover Dr Michelle McKeown's research on International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
• Dr McKeown shares her insights into her work and the impact of gender-diverse teams.

On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate the trailblazers who are pushing the boundaries of knowledge and driving solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing challenges. 

Dr Michelle McKeown is a Lecturer in Environmental Geography in UCC College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences and Principal Investigator at the Environmental Research Institute. Her research spans continents and disciplines - from reconstructing past climates to safeguarding carbon-rich peatlands and tracking water quality threats.

Gender equality in science is crucial for building a better future for all, yet women and girls continue to face systemic barriers and biases in pursuing scientific careers.

2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The international campaign calls for collective efforts to close the gender gap through breaking stereotypes, promoting role models to inspire girls, supporting women's advancement through targeted programmes, and fostering inclusive environments through policies and actions that promote equality, diversity and inclusion.

Investigating past climates to improve action today

Dr McKeown shares insights into her groundbreaking work and reflects on the importance of empowering women and girls in science. 
Sharing her research, Dr McKeown said: “I am an environmental geographer in the Department of Geography at University College Cork. I am passionate about understanding how our planet has changed over time, and what that means for its future. My research crosses disciplines and continents, from reconstructing past climates to assessing carbon storage in peatlands and mangrove ecosystems in Fiji, to tracking the pressures on water quality in Ireland."

“At its core, my work seeks to answer a fundamental question: how do environmental systems respond to long-term climate shifts, and how can this knowledge improve environmental management and climate action today.”

From tropical island shores to Irish peatlands 

“My research has been shaped by working in some of the world’s most dynamic landscapes from the South Pacific Islands to New Zealand, La Réunion, Peru, and Ireland. As a lecturer at the University of the South Pacific, I saw firsthand how rising seas, intense tropical storms, and shifting climates threaten island communities, sharpening my focus on applied, solutions-driven research. At Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research in New Zealand, I investigated how peatlands respond to degradation, advancing techniques to assess their ecological integrity and long-term resilience.”

“My time at WGA, an environmental consultancy, reinforced the critical need to bridge science with policy, ensuring research translates into action. Now at UCC, I integrate these global perspectives into research on peatlands, water quality, and ecosystem resilience—combining paleoecology, cutting-edge monitoring, and interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle environmental challenges.”

“My work is constantly evolving, shaped by new discoveries and the urgency of the climate crisis. Whether unlocking the carbon storage potential of peatlands, reconstructing past climates, or investigating water quality threats, my research is united by one driving force: using science to understand and protect our changing world.”

Removing barriers so the next generation can dream bigger

As Dr McKeown highlights, representation is not just about equity - it’s about enhancing the very foundation of scientific discovery. When diverse voices are heard, science thrives, and so does our ability to protect the planet for future generations.

“Science is about curiosity, innovation, and solving the world’s biggest challenges. This day is about recognising the achievements of women in science, but more importantly, it’s about removing the barriers so that the next generation can dream bigger, reach higher, and know that science is for them. But representation isn’t just about fairness, it’s about making science better.”

“When women and girls are given the opportunity to lead in science, we don’t just add numbers to the field, we bring new perspectives, new questions, and new solutions. I have seen firsthand how gender-diverse teams approach problems more holistically, which ultimately enriches the research landscape. The future of our planet depends on the best ideas, the boldest minds, and the most innovative solutions, and that can only happen when women and girls are fully included in shaping it.”