Top science researchers to meet in athlone this week

Around 300 leading science researchers are set to gather over the next two days (Monday and Tuesday) in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, for the annual Science Foundation Ireland Science Summit.

The conference will focus on the impact of scientific research in Ireland and will feature panel discussions, debates and workshops on a variety of issues, including industry, policy, environment, health, gender, human capital, and education.

Keynote speakers at the summit include SFI St Patrick’s Day Science Medal winner Dr Garret FitzGerald, former Head of the UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology Professor David Cope, former Chief Executive Officer of the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Professor David Delpy, and Editor-in-Chief of Nature and Nature Publishing Group Dr Philip Campbell.
 
Speaking ahead of the SFI Science Summit, Professor Mark Ferguson, Director General of SFI said: “Science Foundation Ireland’s strategic plan – Agenda 2020 – prioritises the support and funding of excellent research with impact, which is of critical importance to driving Ireland’s long term competitiveness and economic development.”
 
“In addition to having the best leadership in our academic sector and increasing employment levels for STEM graduates, it is also crucial that we continue to build a pipeline of students opting for STEM related courses at third level.”