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UCC Marks 30 Years of Science Week
This November, University College Cork (UCC) joins the national celebration of 30 years of Science Week, an initiative led by Research Ireland that honours the spirit of curiosity, innovation, and scientific discovery.
In alignment with this year’s theme, “Then. Today. Tomorrow.”, UCC is hosting a vibrant programme of events designed to engage the public and showcase the university’s commitment to science, sustainability, and community outreach.
Among the highlights is the renewal of UCC’s international arboretum accreditation by the prestigious ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Programme. UCC is the only Level 2 accredited arboretum in Ireland, joining a global network of leading tree collections dedicated to excellence in tree science, conservation, and education. To celebrate this achievement and to mark Science Week, UCC Arboretum will host a special public event on Thursday, 13 November, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in The Shtepps, The Hub, UCC.
Other featured events include private tours of the Crawford Observatory with Prof Paul Callanan on 11 November, offering a rare glimpse into Ireland’s astronomical past; Science at the Marina Market on 15 November, which brings together researchers, educators, and science communicators for a day of hands-on demonstrations and more; the Domain of the Dinosaurs exhibition at the Glucksman Gallery, opening on 16 November, which showcases over 250 original fossils including Ireland’s only known dinosaur remains; and Light Laboratory - Astronomy and Art on 23 November, exploring the relationship between astronomy, architecture, and geometric design.
Media highlights include Dr Marcel Jansen and team from the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science featured on RTÉ’s Futureville programme, discussing their research into using duckweed as a sustainable alternative protein source for Ireland. Catch the episode on 12 November at 7 PM on RTÉ One.
Meanwhile, Dr Maria Kirrane, UCC’s Head of Sustainability and Climate Action, appeared on RTÉ’s 10 Things to Know on 10 November, highlighting UCC’s initiative to empower hairdressers to engage their clients in conversations about climate action.
Through these initiatives, UCC continues to foster a culture of scientific engagement, reflecting on the past, celebrating the present, and imagining the future of science in Ireland and beyond.