iCRAG - SFI Research Centre in Applied Geosciences

Last week saw the formal launch of a new research group, MESSAGE, hosted by the UCD Earth Institute with support from iCRAG, the SFI Research Centre in Applied Geosciences. Read more about the event here: https://lnkd.in/ePfZ3jar MESSAGE, the Marine & Energy Social Sciences & Humanities Interdisciplinary Research Group, brings together experts across science, arts, humanities and social science to carry out fundamental research with a particular focus on coastal, marine and renewable energy challenges. MESSAGE is jointly initiated and coordinated by Associate Professor Geertje Schuitema, Dr Mark Coughlan, Dr Fergus McAuliffe, and Dr Tomas Buitendijk, all of whom are members of UCD Earth Institute as well as iCRAG.

📹Thanks to Len Cowley for capturing the RV Celtic Explorer as it sails into St. Johns Newfoundland carrying the Bronze Famine Shoes. The Shoes left Galway on the 1st May on an historic journey to Canada aboard the Marine Institute’s Research Vessel Celtic Explorer. The sculptures, which pay tribute to the millions affected by the devastating famine of 1845-1852, traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to be placed in Canada following the launch of the Global Irish Famine Way, the aim of which is to raise awareness about this significant historical event and its enduring impact on Irish communities worldwide. The arrival of the Bronze Famine Shoes in St Johns will be marked by the launch of the Global Irish Famine Way , and a series of events and exhibitions hosted by the Dept of Foreign Affairs, Strokestown House, and their partners. These events will provide an opportunity for people to learn about and reflect on this pivotal moment in history. 🔗https://lnkd.in/ebxu5av8 The vessel will mobilise for a significant survey along the western Greenland shelf as part of the Biological Carbon Export in the Labrador Sea (BELAS) survey. This international, collaborative, interdisciplinary survey is being led by University of Galway with partners from Dalhousie University of Nova Scotia and Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland , and is supported by Ship-time funding from the Marine Institute , the Canadian Research Insights Council (CRIC) , the SURGE Innovation (Canada) as well as the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre in iCRAG - SFI Research Centre in Applied Geosciences , University College Dublin (iCRAG)

Over 200 secondary school students participating in TY (transition year) within their respective schools, presented their Get into Geoscience projects to a panel of experts and peers at an event this month in UCD. In just four months, from January to April 2024, these students created their own projects on the overarching theme of ‘Environmental Change’. The programme coordinator, Hannah Binner, said: “It truly is incredible how the students took the idea and challenge of ‘environmental change’ and developed projects after their own interests. We had projects on soil, water and air pollution, karst landscapes, wind energy, energy transition, invasive species, the transport system, local climate change effects and so much more. This years’ cohort was especially creative and made their own videos, surveys, posters and even models. We were delighted to reward the work that the students put into their projects by highlighting the ‘best research projects’ and ‘best learning journey’ and awarding group prizes to 50 students overall.” Read more about the event here: https://lnkd.in/eTjNUvjS #getintogeoscience #transitionyear #EPE

iCRAG is thrilled to be exhibiting at the Wind Energy Ireland Offshore Wind Conference 2024, May 2-3 held at the Clayton Burlington Dublin. Join Mark Coughlan and Emer Caslin at Stand #24 to discuss how we can collaborate on priority areas for your organisation and how you can avail of the Centre’s 50/50 co-funding model. Learn how our multidisciplinary innovative research de-risks offshore wind projects at each stage of the development process from site selection through site investigation and ground modelling to monitoring and assessment. #OffshoreWindConference2024 #offshorewind #netzerotargets #climateactionplan #geoscience #research

Join us for the official launch of MESSAGE to learn about the origins and trajectory of this emerging interdisciplinary research group which is hosted by UCD Earth Institute. MESSAGE carries out fundamental research on coastal, marine and renewable energy challenges at the intersection of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Marine & Energy Social Sciences & Humanities Interdisciplinary Research Group (MESSAGE) Launch Event 7 May 15:30-16:30 followed by reception Talks: H2.38 Science Hub, UCD O’Brien Centre for Science, University College Dublin Reception: 4th Floor East Atrium, O'Brien Centre for Science MESSAGE is initiated and coordinated by Associate Professor Geertje Schuitema (UCD School of Business) Dr. Mark Coughlan (UCD School of Earth Sciences), Dr Fergus McAuliffe (iCRAG and UCD School of Earth Sciences) and Dr. Tomas Buitendijk (UCD School of Business), all of whom are members of UCD Earth Institute and iCRAG - SFI Research Centre in Applied Geosciences. Researchers at UCD have been involved in several projects already within this novel interdisciplinary space and other projects are ongoing or about to start. MESSAGE will serve to coalesce these activities and aims to further develop capacity in this area and connect with wider networks, both nationally and internationally. Register to attend here before Thursday 2 May: https://lnkd.in/ebjfMeqn

I'm never comfortable with "proud" (they do all the work!) but definitely buzzing after the Team did a fantastic job this week at #EGU2024. As part of the Marine Institute & Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ireland funded QUEST Project, Anthony Grey presented results from our lab work after a successful 2023 survey between UCD School of Earth Sciences, Dublin City University & collaborators, detailing Irish Sea carbon stocks 🛳🧑🔬🔍 Mark Chatting demonstrated work he and Markus Diesing at The Geological Survey of Norway are doing improving spatial predctions of marine organic carbon distribution 👨💻📍 Phoebe W. discussed her findings on the impact of sample disturbance from different coring techniques on carbon stock calculations, work she's doing UCD School of Earth Sciences and UCD EngArch 📘👩🔬 Pegah Amjadian presented some of her initial results from our Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) SCALE project on selecting and de-risking anchor solutions for #floatingwind with Jennifer Keenahan, Christopher O'Donovan, Shauna Creane, PhD. & Budi Zhao 💨🌊 Finally, the iCRAG - SFI Research Centre in Applied Geosciences 'Writing the Earth' programme with the Irish Writers Centre was only a few months ago, but it was great to relive it through Fergus McAuliffe presentation. a pretty decent week's "work"!!

I had the chance to presente the initial findings of my doctoral research at European Geosciences Union (EGU) 2024 on Tuesday. This research was conducted in conjuction with Trinity College Dublin , iCRAG - SFI Research Centre in Applied Geosciences , Università degli Studi di Firenze and Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche -IGG, and the aim is to investigate the carbonation of basalts under different pressure and temperature conditions. It was also an opportunity to engage in conversations with other people and receive feedback to enhance the development of my research.

What a wonderful experience, sharing some of our findings at the EGU2024 from the project DIVE2STORE funded by the Irish Research Council, Sunflower Charitable Foundation, and Community Foundation Ireland, with additional support from iCRAG - SFI Research Centre in Applied Geosciences Highlights 1. Peat surface microtopography (MT) is an indicator of soil organic matter at very small scales, in both degraded and near-intact fen 2. However, the relationship is more non-linear in the near-intact fen compared to the degraded fen, indicating higher complexity. 3. The degraded fen has a higher autocorrelation range for SOM, Moisture content, and microelevation, indicating higher spatial homogeneity.

I'm really looking forward to this years' iCRAG Summit - where researchers from across geoscience disciplines and across Ireland get time to develop relationships and ideas for more exciting science. The awards are one of my favourite aspects of this - because I love to see people being celebrated by their mentors and peers, and because it's great to see all the ways that Irish science is generating new pathways to excellence. If you are in iCRAG - SFI Research Centre in Applied Geosciences - don't forget to register, and think about who you would like to see acknowledged for their efforts and successes by nominating them for an award. #mentoring #entrepreneurship #researchimageoftheyear #futureleaders #EDILeader #EPE #awards #recognition