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Workshop:Personal Branding

April 23, 2024

This morning I had the opportunity to give a workshop with female founders in the health space from Spain, Germany, Bulgaria, The Netherlands, Poland and Ireland on Personal Branding as part of an EIT Health programme: for a Women Entrepreneurial Bootcamp (WEB).

Thank you to Jenny Mullery who facilitates this from University of Galway IdeasLab for bringing me on board.

Building your brand and your communication style is an area I am very passionate about. Life is all about people and relationships, so why not make it easier, more engaging and fun.

We achieve so much when we listen to understand and appreciate peoples point of view. I also worked in the Value of critical thinking. To me it means being curious and leads to better decision making, self reflection,the ability to identify misinformation and build creative problem solving skills.

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Celebrating 35 years of The Kings Head: A morning of reflection, generosity, and hope

April 3, 2024

This Friday, April 5th, marks a significant milestone for The Kings Head, Galway, as they celebrate 35 years of serving the community with warmth, hospitality, and dedication. To mark this special occasion, the Grealish family, proprietors of The Kings Head, cordially invite the public to join them for a morning of coffee and cake starting at 11:30am.

In the spirit of giving back, the Grealish family has chosen to mark their 35th anniversary by making a generous donation to the Galway Rape Crisis Centre. This commendable act aligns perfectly with the ongoing efforts of the Galway Rape Crisis Centre, which has recently launched a fundraiser under the banner ‘WIN100GRAND.IE’. The fundraiser aims to secure €100,000 to support the development of a new, state-of-the-art building to serve as the home of the Galway Rape Crisis Centre in the Claddagh, Galway.

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For over four decades, the Galway Rape Crisis Centre has been a beacon of support for survivors of sexual violence, offering vital services such as free support, advocacy, and empowerment. Their unwavering commitment to breaking the cycle of silence and stigma surrounding sexual violence has made them an invaluable resource for survivors across Galway City and County, as well as in Roscommon and North Clare.

“We are really excited about this draw. It is an incredible prize and as they say it could be you. We are building for the future. Our new home in the heart of Galway is a symbol of hope and resilience for our entire community. By investing in our €100,000 cash draw, you are not just contributing to a building project; you are investing in the future of survivors and the broader community. Your support will enable us to expand our reach, enhance our services, and continue our vital work in raising awareness through education,” said Cathy Connolly, Executive Director, Galway Rape Crisis Centre.

Tickets for the ‘WIN100GRAND.IE’ draw are priced at €50 each or 3 for €100 and are available for purchase now at win100grand.ie.

Stay connected with The Kings Head across social media platforms and on their new website www.thekingshead.ie.

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Welcome to the neighbourhood- Galway Food Tours launches a true Galway buzz tour

March 27, 2024

Ramble through Galway’s neighbourhoods to experience life like a local

To get to experience Galway as a local you must cross into all the neighbourhoods. Experience the coffee, the beers, a gig, theatre, the street art, a burger, the best pizza in Ireland (fact), fish and chips, dessert, and of course the people.   With all this in mind the award-winning Galway Food Tours has launched their neighbourhood walking tours through the city of the tribes.

Taking in the historic charm of Woodquay, the bustling city centre streets and Eyre Square, through the Latin Quarter, onto Galways westend and then out to Salthill, the Galway neighbourhood ramble tour will introduce little nuggets of social and cultural notes as well as enjoying a refreshment or two along the way.

From Woodquay to Salthill, every step promises a new and different discovery of people, food, and stories. Get ready to go on a new adventure as Galway Food Tours introduces its brand-new neighbourhood walking tour that dives into the heart of Galway’s unique city areas.

The city is surrounded by water with the River Corrib holding pride of place and quick fact- it’s the fastest flowing river in Europe, so the tour begins at the midpoint between the iconic Salmon Weir Bridge and the new pedestrian bridge. Here, the ramble begins into Woodquay where you will enjoy the river from another viewpoint at the Commercial Boat Club, pop in Hughes for a pint, an Oyster at Galways only Oyster Bar in McSwiggans or a quick flutter at the bookies next door, and who knows, you might just walk away with a smile and an extra fiver in your pocket! 

Take a stroll up to enjoy Eyre Square, where the bustle of city life intertwines with the city’s famous park scape. New opening Mary Mullens is offering an Asian inspired outdoor oasis with Galway style Gyozas on offer- a must. The history of Galway can be seen on every corner but a pop into the 800-year-old Kings Head on High Street to learn even more about how the town became a city with the addition of a small matter of a beheading right at the door of a very famous King!

Crossing the bridges into Galway’s westend, this place moves to a different beat than the rest of the city, which keeps high street chains at bay and allows independent boutique businesses to flourish. Many businesses have been here for generations and supply the needs of the bountiful restaurants and bars that have won awards around the world and stamped the area on the food map even if you will not always find it on a tourist map.

Speciality tea and coffee cafes with hidden sun traps and vintage clothing shops have recently changed the day time vibe but no day is complete without a trip to Galways oldest grocery store to see Ernie or a drink in the Small Crane which used to be a potato market.

Heading out to Salthill for some fresh sea air, it’s time for a coffee in Kali or a small nip of something stronger at Tribe Gin school followed by a trip to the slots or the casino at the iconic Seapoint.

“Galway has so much to offer but when we travel, we are easily just drawn to main attractions. Really though we want to know where the locals are and what it is that makes a place special- so the neighbourhood tour of Galway is just that. Every person coming to the city can then get a real slice of Galway life. We love all the people and stories as well as unique Galway offerings so we want to show and share these with as many people as possible,” explained Sheena Dignam of Galway Food Tours.

Tours run throughout the day from 11am and are priced at €30. Book now at www.galwayfoodtours.com .

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Galway’s Westend kicks off 2024 sustainable tourism campaign

March 27, 2024

Walking Tours: Unveiling a journey through Galway’s vibrant cultural hub

Galway’s Westend, the beating heart of Galway City known for its captivating culture, is kicking off their sustainable tourism campaign on foot with their neighbourhood walking tours.

After their inaugural walking tour program which launched in June 2023, the immersive tours are back allowing visitors and locals to delve into the rich tapestry of Galway’s Westend, revealing the hidden gems, unique stories, and vibrant atmosphere that make it a must-visit destination.

Galway’s westend is celebrated for its bohemian charm, artistic flair, and diverse community, making it a focal point of Galway’s cultural scene. Galway’s westend Walking Tours aim to showcase this captivating district, guiding participants through its picturesque streets, unveiling its historical landmarks, and providing an intimate glimpse into the thriving arts, food, and music scene that defines the area.

 Led by expert local guides, each Galway’s westend Walking Tour will take participants on a journey of discovery, exploring the district’s rich history, captivating tales, and fascinating anecdotes. From traditional Irish music venues to independent boutiques, award-winning restaurants, and artisanal food markets, visitors will immerse themselves in the unique ambiance that defines Galway’s westend.

 The tours will tell the tales of Irish-town (West End) versus the Norman/English town of Galway to being introduced to the home of Lady Gregory’s son, Major Robert Gregory, whose death in January 1918 inspired WB Yeats poem, ‘An Irish Airman foresees his death’. Where now lies The Galway Arts Centre, Galway’s only dedicated art gallery and Aras Na Gael – the Irish language experience with Dance, music, song, conversation, and a bar!

The tours will begin each day on Raven’s Terrace where the great Claddagh connection begins. Tour guides will touch on Pawnbroker, Fish on Friday, Claddagh ring, Claddagh fishing tradition and the Galway Hookers.

Then the connection to maritime history will be the focus of walks along The Eglinton Canal that lead to the University. Tour guides will draw on the Lock gates, bridges, tow-paths and how the Canals connect to Corrib with Water activities from past to present day.

As people step through the neighbourhood, they will be introduced to the socio-cultural fabric through food, people and place and of course nuggets of information like, did you know that the area is home to Galway’s only LGBTQIA+ Bar, Nova on Henry Street?

Back into The Small Crane where the History of the Galway markets, potato, hay, turf, vegetable, pigs, calves were held and now will be told. Right alongside here the stories of prolific Galway author Walter Macken and of Titanic survivor Eugene Daly from Raleigh Row will be highlighted to walkers.

The tours will be available three times daily, at 11am,  3pm and 6pm from Ravens Terrace. Participants will be treated to a captivating journey through the district, lasting approximately 75 minutes. Tickets, €20 + Booking fee can be purchased online through the official Galway’s Westend website or directly at the meeting point.

For more information about Galway’s westend Walking Tours, including ticketing details and the tour schedule, please visit www.galwayswestend.ie.

Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #GalwaysWestendTours and stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates.

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UK Film Festival Nomination for Galway’s Blue Teapot 

March 11, 2024

Galway’s Blue Teapot Theatre Company will represent Ireland at the BAFTA qualifying Oska Bright Film Festival(UK), screening three self-produced films on St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday 17 March, as part of Reel Ireland documentary strand.

Oska Bright is the world’s leading festival for films made by or featuring people with intellectual disabilities or autism. Held in Brighton, the annual event screens over one hundred films with Blue Teapot’s  documentary ‘Enquire Within‘ chosen to close the week-long festival and is nominated for an award in the Best Story of a Life category.  Screening with Enquire Within are two other Blue Teapot produced documentaries – Prophecy (2021) and My Light will Blind You (2022).

Award winning independent filmmaker Fionn Rogers directed all three films. Speaking about the projects, Rogers explained, “The three documentaries are all very different and very special in their own way. Enquire Within was the most rewarding to work on, because of how organic it was and how the concept grew so naturally from the ground up”.

The documentary stemmed from Blue Teapot’s Outreach projects in collaboration with Galway County Council arts office, with a strategic aim of creating more impactful, experiential, inclusive arts practise across the County. Filmed in Clifden and shot over 8 days, Enquire Within involved people from the area, in front and behind the camera.

“To give people the opportunity to explore their ideas and get them hands on with film equipment they had never used before was amazing to experience first-hand”.  The resulting documentary explores the subject of employment from the perspective of young people, seniors and those with disabilities living in Connemara.

Talking about his experience as a first time Assistant Director, Blue Teapot artist Paul Connolly expressed, “It’s such a great honour to represent Blue Teapot, Criost Linn and the Clifden people involved at Oska Bright this year”. Along with his colleagues, Connolly is looking forward to attending the festival having received support from Culture Ireland.

In other developments, recently appointed Executive Director Jane Parsons is delighted to announce the launch of a new Friends Scheme, inviting individuals and businesses to partner with Blue Teapot to help make a positive difference to the creative lives of the company’s artists. This investment will empower the company to continue making game-changing theatre and provide opportunities for artists with intellectual disabilities.  

Further information or to discuss joining Blue Teapot Friends Scheme, email exec.director@blueteapot.ie or call 091 520 977.

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Celebrating Belonging with University of Galway’s IdeasLab

March 11, 2024

University of Galway’s IdeasLab celebrated International Women’s Day with an event, themed ‘Belonging,’ which brought together a diverse lineup of speakers and panellists to highlight the unique experiences and journeys of women in Ireland, as well as to promote inclusivity and equality.

08/03/2024 repro free: Celebrating Belonging on International Women’s Day: University of Galway’s IdeasLab Hosts Empowering Event The University of Galway’s IdeasLab celebrated International Women’s Day with a special event in the heart of Galway City in the Druid Theatre. The event, themed “Belonging,” brought together a diverse lineup of speakers and panelists to highlight the unique experiences and journeys of women in Ireland, as well as to promote inclusivity and equality. Keynote speaker Emer O’Neill, a well-known presenter and advocate, led an engaging discussion with a panel of female students from IdeasLab’s CreateHER programme. The panel delved into the multifaceted experiences of women in Ireland, inspiring thought-provoking conversations and reflections. The event also featured the comedic stylings of Áine Gallagher, bringing laughter and light-heartedness to the occasion. Dr. Helen Maher, Vice President for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of Galway shared her insights and perspectives on fostering inclusivity and equality in higher education and the important role we have in society for society. The event marked the final celebration of the CreateHERprogramme, a pioneering initiative that empowers and supports female undergraduate students to explore and consider innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership in their personal and professional lives. The programme achieves this through round table workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities, which has since its launch early in 2022,created a vibrant community of empowered and skilled future female leaders and innovators. The participants involved in the CreateHER programme also have the unique opportunity to shadow and learn from influential female leaders in various industries, underscoring the programme’s commitment to providing practical guidance and real-world experience from all sectors across our city and region. The message is that by empowering and su

Keynote speaker Emer O’Neill, a well-known presenter and advocate, led an engaging discussion with a panel of female students from IdeasLab’s CreateHER programme. The panel delved into the multifaceted experiences of women in Ireland, inspiring thought-provoking conversations, and reflections.

The event also featured the comedic stylings of Áine Gallagher, bringing laughter and light-heartedness to the occasion. Dr. Helen Maher, Vice President for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of Galway shared her insights and perspectives on fostering inclusivity and equality in higher education and the important role we have in society for society.

The event marked the final celebration of the CreateHER programme, a pioneering initiative that empowers and supports female undergraduate students to explore and consider innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership in their personal and professional lives. The programme achieves this through round table workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities, which has since its launch early in 2022, created a vibrant community of empowered and skilled future female leaders and innovators.

The participants involved in the CreateHER programme also have the unique opportunity to shadow and learn from influential female leaders in various industries, underscoring the programme’s commitment to providing practical guidance and real-world experience from all sectors across our city and region.

08/03/2024 repro free: Áine Gallagher, Comedian Celebrating Belonging on International Women’s Day: University of Galway’s IdeasLab Hosts Empowering Event The University of Galway’s IdeasLab celebrated International Women’s Day with a special event in the heart of Galway City in the Druid Theatre. The event, themed “Belonging,” brought together a diverse lineup of speakers and panelists to highlight the unique experiences and journeys of women in Ireland, as well as to promote inclusivity and equality. Keynote speaker Emer O’Neill, a well-known presenter and advocate, led an engaging discussion with a panel of female students from IdeasLab’s CreateHER programme. The panel delved into the multifaceted experiences of women in Ireland, inspiring thought-provoking conversations and reflections. The event also featured the comedic stylings of Áine Gallagher, bringing laughter and light-heartedness to the occasion. Dr. Helen Maher, Vice President for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of Galway shared her insights and perspectives on fostering inclusivity and equality in higher education and the important role we have in society for society. The event marked the final celebration of the CreateHERprogramme, a pioneering initiative that empowers and supports female undergraduate students to explore and consider innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership in their personal and professional lives. The programme achieves this through round table workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities, which has since its launch early in 2022,created a vibrant community of empowered and skilled future female leaders and innovators. The participants involved in the CreateHER programme also have the unique opportunity to shadow and learn from influential female leaders in various industries, underscoring the programme’s commitment to providing practical guidance and real-world experience from all sectors across our city and region. The message i

The message is that by empowering and supporting each other as women from diverse backgrounds and experiences, these young women will build a network of support that will grow with them as they progress in life.  A belief that reaffirms the University of Galway’s commitment to nurturing a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment for all.

Jenny Mullery, Head of Engagement for IdeasLab said, “This is our 3rd iteration of CreateHer. Taking the feedback from the participants and contributors, the programme is growing and going from strength to strength. Providing undergraduates with the opportunity to connect with themselves, industry and the community is vital to give them the confidence to be the innovators and leaders in their chosen fields. 

Speaking of the event theme and the CreateHER programme, Emer O’Neill said, “Ní neart go cur le chéile, with unity comes strength and more than ever before we need to remind each other to be kind and share love and positivity”.

08/03/2024 repro free: Celebrating Belonging on International Women’s Day: University of Galway’s IdeasLab Hosts Empowering Event The University of Galway’s IdeasLab celebrated International Women’s Day with a special event in the heart of Galway City in the Druid Theatre. The event, themed “Belonging,” brought together a diverse lineup of speakers and panelists to highlight the unique experiences and journeys of women in Ireland, as well as to promote inclusivity and equality. Keynote speaker Emer O’Neill, (pictured) a well-known presenter and advocate, led an engaging discussion with a panel of female students from IdeasLab’s CreateHER programme. The panel delved into the multifaceted experiences of women in Ireland, inspiring thought-provoking conversations and reflections. The event also featured the comedic stylings of Áine Gallagher, bringing laughter and light-heartedness to the occasion. Dr. Helen Maher, Vice President for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of Galway shared her insights and perspectives on fostering inclusivity and equality in higher education and the important role we have in society for society. The event marked the final celebration of the CreateHERprogramme, a pioneering initiative that empowers and supports female undergraduate students to explore and consider innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership in their personal and professional lives. The programme achieves this through round table workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities, which has since its launch early in 2022,created a vibrant community of empowered and skilled future female leaders and innovators. The participants involved in the CreateHER programme also have the unique opportunity to shadow and learn from influential female leaders in various industries, underscoring the programme’s commitment to providing practical guidance and real-world experience from all sectors across our city and region. The message is that by empo
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Goodwill from Galway to Africa

March 11, 2024

Pictures from the International Women’s Day sell out luncheon at The Kings Head for Self Help Africa, where guests were treated to a 3 course meal sponsored in full by The Kings Head so that all proceeds went to Self Help Africa projects associated with Women’s projects in Africa.


Self Help Africa works to provide women and families with the ability to produce more food, earn more from their farming activities and help mothers and fathers to provide a better life for their children.

08/03/2024 repro free: Aoife Kenny, BASH HQ , Mary Grealish, KingÕs head and Lisa Regan, Lisa Regan pr celebrating International WomenÕs day sponsored by the KingÕs Head Bar/Restaurant in aid of Self Help Africa . Photo:Andrew Downes, XPOSURE

The charity supports and works with women and families in 16 countries in Africa and the Developing World. The luncheon will support the East Africa appeal where some 36 million are affected by drought and conflict and are facing starvation and loss of livelihoods.

08/03/2024 repro free: Mary Grealish, King’s head with Mayor of Galway Clr. Eddie Hoare and Ronan Scully Self Help Africa celebrating International Women’s day sponsored by the King’s Head Bar/Restaurant in aid of Self Help Africa . Photo:Andrew Downes, XPOSURE
08/03/2024 repro free: Mia Scully, Oonagh Scully Siobhan Kelly and Vanessa Shortall celebrating International WomenÕs day sponsored by the KingÕs Head Bar/Restaurant in aid of Self Help Africa . Photo:Andrew Downes, XPOSURE
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The Role of Legacy Media- How to position your message into a story.

February 14, 2024

Working with University of Limerick and talking on the importance and the role of Legacy media in getting your message out.

Trusted sources working together from a PR perspective and from the media outlets- what are you trying to say and how can you get that to land?

Not everything will land and you need to know what is a story and what is of interest.

We talked on:

Know Your Audience, Clarity is Key, Emotional Appeal and what is your Call to Action.

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The LRPR Guide to Radio Interviews

February 9, 2024

The Radio Interview how to really get your key points across effectively

Preparation, clarity, and concise communication

My number one is to Listen to the question asked and respond to the points raised.

Pay attention to the interviewer’s questions and feedback, and respond thoughtfully. Engage in a dialogue rather than delivering a monologue, and be prepared to adapt your key points based on the flow of the conversation.

Tone, pitch and energy…..Be Engaging: Radio is an auditory medium, so use your voice to convey enthusiasm and passion for your subject. Speak clearly and with energy to captivate listeners and hold their attention.

Know Your Key Points: Before the interview, identify the main messages you want to convey. These could be the key ideas, statistics, or stories you want the audience to remember. Personal experiences or case studies can help illustrate your message and make it more engaging

Prepare Talking Points: Develop talking points around your key messages. These should be brief, memorable phrases or sentences that encapsulate your main ideas.

Practice Concise Responses: Radio interviews often have limited time, so practice delivering your key points concisely. Aim to express each point clearly and succinctly, using simple language that listeners can easily understand.

Stay Focused + be Engaging: Be human the interview will not go 100% the way you have planned so you need to adapt. This comes through listening and sensing the tone of the conversation. If you feel it is going in a way you want to switch up, then do not ignore what you are asked but segway into where you want to go then to bring yourself back to your key talking points. If the interviewer asks unrelated questions, politely steer the conversation back to your main messages.

Stop using unnecessary words and watch your use and then repetition of words like:

Never ever say this- Basically (Nothing about what we do is basic so please eliminate this from your vocab)

I suppose

Am, am, am

Please at the top of the interview when you are greeted by the presenter for being on, just say Good morning, Claire, no need for thanks for having me on etc.

Provide Clear Takeaways.

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County Galway artists to kick off new season of exhibitions at The Gallery

January 29, 2024

To launch the 2024 artistic season The Gallery Café, Gort will host their first exhibition by Artists Leonie King and Siobhan Percy. The exhibition will officially open on Sunday 18 February at 7pm. The two County Galway Artists whom are living in Oranmore and Athenry, have both lectured in the Art and Design Department at ATU as well as exhibiting together as members of the AKIN Artist Collective. The two initiated the imPRESSions Original Print Biennial together which was a regular feature of the Galway International Arts Festival.

Since college Leonie King has travelled extensively, having spent time in South America, India, and Morocco. Foreign images and colours are brought home and blended with those of the Irish landscape: its patterns and textures and mists. An awareness of the past transparently overlaid on the present is part of the underlying notion of her work and pertains to the sense of eternity, stretching both backwards and forwards.

Her work is an endless balancing of dynamics, of coloured texture over variant coloured texture. Her inspiration comes from an interacting of the emotional with reflections of the surrounding area, both present and past. The effervescent colour changes of the sea and land transpose themselves into multi-layered prints that are responses to a communing with soil, rock, and that which ekes out an existence on it, and underneath the surface of the earth. Leonie has exhibited nationally and internationally Including the Royal Academy Summer Show.

Sioban Piercy makes sculptures that she refers to as ‘books’ and her work is an enquiry into the construction we call ‘a book’. She is intrigued by this object that we use to tell stories to ourselves about ourselves. She draws our attention to the book as a physical thing made of unassuming materials such as paper and ink, but at the same time how both can be used to manifest something other than they are, where these assemblages of modest bits and pieces become contraptions of our meaning-making and are transmuted into structures of imagination and self-explanation.

For this exhibition she is showing a series of drawings which are studies for a new set of books she is presently working on. In these, she plays with our perceptions by making marks that suggest writing or a handwritten text but in fact are documenting the world – in this case seascapes- in quite a different way. In so doing toys with our ‘reading’ of the drawing and the book.

The exhibition runs for two months from 18 February at The Gallery Café, The Square, Gort, Co. Galway and is open during restaurant hours. See www.thegallerycafegort.com for more information.

testimonial

Think Less and Think Local

December 11, 2023

Circular economy and how we can make an impact in our lives

 We could not have made our sustainable shopping event happen without Lisa, she brought the idea from pen and paper to reality. Networking with the local independent businesses and seeing how we can best support and include them to guiding us on our advertising, she didn’t miss a detail. 

On the evening of the event, she showcased all the chosen pieces of clothing and spoke of the importance of supporting local, sustainable shopping choices and the impact fast fashion is having on our environment and local high street.

Lisa spoke with such warmth and energy and that was reflected back to her with interactive conversation and interaction from the audience, we can’t wait to work with her on future events.

Regina Griffin, Galway Food Tours

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University of Galway IdeasLab Stanford University Innovation Fellowship

December 4, 2023

University of Galway IdeasLab students have joined with students from across 67 educational institutes in 15 countries to become University Innovation Fellows. The University Innovation Fellows (UIF) program empowers students to become agents of change at their universities. 

Fellows work to ensure that all students gain the attitudes, skills and knowledge required to navigate a complex world and build the future.   These student leaders from schools around the globe create opportunities to help their peers build the creative confidence, agency, and entrepreneurial mindset needed to address global challenges. Fellows create student innovation spaces, start entrepreneurship organizations, facilitate experiential workshops, work with the university community to develop new courses, and much more.

– Mia Shanley-Brookes, BSc Medicinal Chemistry, 2024
– Sophie Spellissy, Computer Science and Information Technology, 2025
– Ciaran Cox, Biomedical Engineering, 2028

The inaugural fellows in University of Galway are Mia Shanley Brookes (Medicinal Chemistry, 2024), Sophie Spellissy (Computer Science and Information Technology, 2025) and Ciaran Cox (Biomedical Engineering, 2028).  Mia, Sophie and Ciaran are working as advocates for lasting institutional change with university leaders, lending the much-needed student voice to the conversations about the future of higher education and entrepreneurship. 

The students participated in a 6-week training experience during which they learned to analyse their campus ecosystems and identify opportunities for change related to innovation, entrepreneurship, design thinking, and creativity. They worked to understand the needs of peers on the University campus and apply this new knowledge and perspective to design new educational opportunities for their peers. In early 2024 the student team will prototype a new programme that focuses on shadowing start-ups and early stage companies to better understand how firms work and what types of roles students may wish to undertake once they are finished university and moving onto their next chapter.

The Fellows programme is run by Stanford University’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d. School). With the addition of the new Fellows, the programme has trained more than 3,100 students since its creation.   Leticia Britos Cavagnaro, Co-Director of the University Innovation Fellows programme ‘Fellows Mia, Sophie and Ciaran have developed new ways to help students at the University of Galway enhance their innovation skills, connect their learning with real-world applications, and gain access to essential resources. We’re so proud of the hard work they’ve done already, and we’re excited to see the impact they continue to have’.

Dr Natalie Walsh a Faculty Innovation Fellow with Stanford University’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school) and the Director of Entrepreneurial Development in the University of Galway stated that ‘We are delighted to join the University Innovation Fellowship community and support our students to design new experiences that support all students to develop the skills and mindsets necessary to navigate these uncertain times and to shape the future they want to see.  The partnership aligns with our values of excellence and sustainability, and we are excited to launch a new programme designed and delivered by Mia, Ciaran and Sophie in early 2024’.

 University of Galway is the only Irish University who have taken part in the UIF programme.  A core theme of the programme supports responsible futuring and the team look forward to travelling to the University of Twente in 2024 to build skills and expertise and connect in person with the UIF community of over 2,000 faculty and students from across the globe.