This year's conference, the 34th Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium (Environ 2024), is a collaboration between the Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland (ESAI) and the South East Technological University, Waterford (SETU). It will be hosted from the 25th March to the 27th March 2024. Environ is the longest running and largest forum for environmental researchers in Ireland, attracting an average of 270 delegates annually. The event offers a high-visibility platform for both young and experienced researchers to present their findings to an audience comprised of academia, government bodies and agencies, as well as industry representatives. Building on success of the last event at ATU Letterkenny in 2023, ESAI and SETU Waterford have joined forces to deliver an exciting and engaging conference experience for 2024. Download conference poster here.
ENVIRON 2024 is hosted by the SETU Waterford Campus. Established in 1970 as the Regional Technical College (RTC), the RTC experienced rapid growth in response to the strong regional demand for tertiary education. In 1997, the RTC adopted its name to become Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT), becoming the second IT after Dublin Institute of Technology at that time. WIT have been granting degrees from Higher Certificate to PhD levels since 2001, fostering a robust research culture that attracts students from around the world.
In May 2022, WIT merged with Carlow IT to establish the South East Technological University (SETU). The Waterford campus comprises of five faculties and is home to more than 6000 full time students, 1000 part-time students, with more than 200 Erasmus students exchanging every year. Additionally, the Waterford campus hosts approximately 1000 international students from 80 countries.
SETU Waterford also have strong connection with industries around the South East, in terms of development of their award winning undergraduate programme (winner of the ‘Pharma Education & Training Awards’ in 2017 & 2021 and being nominated for ‘Best student experience award’ and ‘HR Leadership and Management Award’ in 2018) as well as in their research PhD programme. Many of the research PhDs are linked to industry and address societal needs. There is currently 234 PhD students and 95 Master By Research students across all campuses in SETU. Over the past 10 years, the University has successfully attracted € 143 million in research funding from various sources such as SFI, the European Framework Programme (FP), and Horizon 2020. Additionally, the university has three Enterprise Ireland (EI) funded Technological Gateway Centres in the areas of telecommunications research, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology research. The University is also the only Irish Partner among the eight other universities in the EU Connexus Programme. The program aims to establish a hub of excellence focused on science and innovation in Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability.
The theme of Environ 2024 is “Harbour to Harvest: Research from Soil to Sea” echoing most of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals such as ‘Good Health & Well Being’, ‘Clean Water & Sanitation’, ‘Affordable & Clean Energy’, ‘Decent Work & Economic Growth’, ‘Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure’, ‘Sustainable cities & Communities’, ‘Responsible consumption & Production’, ‘Climate Action’, ‘Life Below Water’, ‘Life on Land’ etc. ENVIRON 2024 should reflect how research in different areas could collaborate to create solutions for a healthy and sustainable nature and environment for the wellbeing of all the living organisms in this world.
The conference will commence on Monday, 25th March 2024, with a choice of two guided field trips to either Anne Valley Park or Copper Coast Geopark, followed by an interactive workshop on My Green Lab. On Monday evening a wine reception and public engagement panel discussion on “How to Run your Business Sustainably” will be hosted at the SETU Waterford campus. This event will include guest speakers from the Food, Agriculture, Marine and Pharmaceutical Industries to discuss sustainable practices in their businesses for a healthy environment. The second day of the conference, Tuesday, 26th March, will begin with a welcome address and opening speeches from the President of SETU, Prof. Veronica Campbell, SETU Conference Convenor, Dr Graece Tan & ESAI Chairperson, Dr Niamh Power. This will be followed by a keynote talk from Grace O’Sullivan, Green Party MP, Member of the European Parliament and member of the European Green Party. Afterward, there will be oral parallel sessions throughout the day featuring talks from various keynote chairpersons, a dynamic mix of presentations from environmental researchers and including 5 minute short presentations from early-stage researchers. Dedicated networking poster sessions will feature throughout the day. The second day will conclude with the Gala Dinner at the Tower Hotel in Waterford City, followed by music and dancing.
The last day of the conference, Wednesday 27th March 2024 will commence with a talk by Tasneem Khan, the founder of SEA School in Dunmore East, Waterford, followed by oral parallel sessions and a dedicated networking poster session. The conference will conclude with a student award ceremony recognising ‘Best In Conference’ with over €2500 to award in various categories. Click here to read more.
There will be over 100-120 poster and oral presentations delivered at the event. The parallel session's themes include:
The best part of any event is the opportunity to network, and this year at Environ 2024, we are organising a wine reception before the Public Engagement Event. This is an excellent opportunity for the general public to engage with the environmental research community, meet with our colleagues, exchange knowledge, and enjoy the night Waterford before the Public Engagement Event.
This is a public event featuring short keynotes speakers who will present, followed by an open discussion and panel Q&A session focused on "How to Run Business Sustainably". The aim of the event is to inform the public & fellow researchers about the sustainability efforts of various industries in Ireland. The panel will comprise of reputable speakers from different sectors, including food, agriculture, marine and pharmaceuticals in the South East Region of Ireland. Each panellist will give a 10-15 min presentation on the sustainability of their respective companies, followed by a discussion on current and future challenges, policies and sustainable solutions to ensure a better environment protection. The diverse audience will have the opportunity to pose questions to the panel, fostering interactive discussions about the future of sustainable Ireland.
Opening Ceremony with Prof. Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, ENVIRON 2024 Conference Convenor & ESAI Chairperson.
Plenary Lecture (9.30 am – 10.45 am)
Grace O’Sullivan, a member of the Green Party and Member of the European Parliament from Tramore, Waterford will deliver a plenary lecture.
A drinks reception will set the stage for an atmosphere of entertainment, fun, and relaxed communications among all attendees at the Tower Hotel, Waterford, overlooking the River Suir and Marina. The three-course dinner (20:00 – 22:00), followed by dancing, will take place in the same venue.
Plenary Lecture (9.30 am – 10.00 am)
Tasneem Khan, founder of Science, Ecology, Art (SEA) School in Dunmore East Waterford, will deliver a plenary lecture on the last day.
We look forward to welcoming you all to Environ 2024
Dr. Shiau Pin Tan (Graece) Environ 2024 Conference Co-Convenors, SETU Waterford
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