NexSys Away Day in Wicklow

On May 27th, NexSys held an away day at the beautiful Glenview Hotel, near the Glen of the Downs in Wicklow. The day began with an opening presentation from NexSys director, Terrence O'Donnell, who gave us an update on the group's progress and outlined the schedule for the day. The event was divided into two parts: a morning session focused on data and model integration, which included group discussions led by James O'Donnell, followed by small group talks to share insights with the wider team.

 

Following an enjoyable lunch at the hotel’s restaurant, where I had the opportunity to engage in discussions with senior researchers from NexSys. The afternoon session was dedicated to developing greater research collaboration. Led by Michelle Carey from the School of Mathematics and Statistics at UCD, the session allowed us to learn about each other’s work, share challenges, and identify ways to support one another’s research. For instance, during my discussion, I learned that a fellow PhD student was developing a power system model that incorporated electricity prices under different scenarios. He mentioned his need for data on solar and wind generation over extended periods, something that I could provide based on my own work.

 

To close out the day, we embarked on a guided hike through the stunning Glen of the Downs, offering a perfect opportunity to unwind and connect with colleagues. The day concluded with a lovely BBQ, leaving us all with new insights and strengthened connections among the researchers in the NexSys group. 

PhD Masterclass by Dr. John Bell

 On Monday, November 4th, I had the opportunity to attend a masterclass on the intersection of research and policy, led by Dr. John Bell, the European Commission's Director for a Healthy Planet. This event, organized by the UCD Earth Institute, brought together PhD students interested in climate, environmental, and sustainability research.

The session began with a brief introduction by Imelda Maher, the event's organizer, who is the Sutherland Full Professor of European Law and Director of the UCD Dublin European Institute. Following this, Dr. Bell shared his reasons for joining us, explaining his interest in discussing the role of research in policy-making with us, as early-career researchers. He highlighted how our work, as emerging scientists, can have an impact on policies enacted by the European Union and other governmental bodies.

After the introductions, each of us had the chance to briefly present our research topics and pose a question to Dr. Bell. The research areas represented were impressively diverse, ranging from studies on biological systems and social sciences to energy systems, which is my area of focus. I also found it inspiring to see participants of different ages, including some older PhD students, something I don’t often encounter.

My question for Dr. Bell focused on the perception of scientific research by the public. I pointed out that while science aims to deepen our understanding of the world, research often involves hypotheses that may lead to inconclusive or evolving results. This nuance is not always well understood outside academic circles, which can lead to mistrust. I asked him how we might help the public understand that scientific findings are not absolute truths but are instead part of a broader journey of discovery.

Dr. Bell responded by emphasizing the need to keep "universities as lighthouses" that guide the future of policy-making. He stressed that for research to truly influence policy, we as researchers need to become better communicators, making our findings more accessible and comprehensible to a wider audience.