Accelerating Progress on the SDGs Through Research, Innovation and Partnerships
Organized by Research Ireland and Irish Aid.
In a time of mounting global challenges, progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains far too slow. As the 2030 deadline approaches, there is growing recognition that achieving the SDGs will require not only renewed political will but also stronger systems for implementation. This event will showcase the achievements of the research teams funded by the Research Ireland SDG Challenge funding call and the transformative partnerships they have built.
EVENT AGENDA
09:30 – 10:30 Registration, refreshments and networking
10:30-11:00 Opening remarks
Diversity Trust
11:00 – 11:30 Keynote Session
Dr Evelyn Gitau, Chief Scientific Officer, Science for Africa Foundation
Transformative Partnerships for Sustainable Development: Insights from Africa-led and Global Collaborations
11:30 – 12:00 Impact Spotlight: Research Ireland SDG Challenge Prize-winners
Chair: Rachel Iredale, Head of Challenge Research Ireland
NEOSEPSIS: Reducing neonatal and maternal mortality by rapid detection of sepsis in resource-limited environments
Professor Sean Doyle, NEOSEPSIS Team Lead, Maynooth University
BIOTOPE: Reducing childhood mortality through improved diagnosis of pneumonia (BIOmarkers TO predict PnEumonia 2)
Dr Joseph Gallagher, BIOTOPE Team Co-Lead, University College Dublin
SURGWater: Supporting climate-resilient health facilities in Malawi through sustainable access to water using solar disinfection of harvested rainwater
Dr Jakub Gajewski, SURGWater Team Co-Lead, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
REHEATZ: REcycling wastewater Heat in mEAT production/preparation in Zambia: technology and process development, and societal impacts
Professor Paul Coughlan, REHEATZ Team Lead, Trinity College Dublin
Followed by Q&A
12:00 – 12:30 Digital poster session, refreshments and networking
12:30 – 13:15 Breakout Parallel Discussion Sessions
Session 1: Scaling Solutions Together: Deploying Innovation through cross-sectoral Partnerships
Highlighting successful modes of collaboration between academia, industry, government, and civil society to implement and scale SDG-aligned solutions.
Session 2: Skills for Sustainable Development: Empowering Institutions and People
Addressing the need for institutional strengthening and capacity development to support long-term SDG progress
13:15 – 14:00 Turning Insights into Action: Shaping Sustainable Global Futures
Chair: Dr Ruth Freeman, Director of Research for Society, Research Ireland
Dr Yasir Bin Nisar, Medical Officer, World Health Organisation
Dr Aditi Mukherji, Principal Scientist- Climate Action at the International Livestock Research Institute
Dr Susan Murphy, Chair, Development Studies Association of Ireland; Associate Professor, Sustainable Development Practice, Trinity College Dublin
Jaspreet Stamm, Director of External Affairs, Global Crop Diversity Trust
14:00 – 15:00 Lunch and networking
