UCC awards celebrate advances in research and innovation

30 May 2024

• Researchers at UCC College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences among those celebrated at UCC's Research and Innovation Awards 2023.
• Awards celebrate internationally-leading work spanning all aspects of climate action, social sciences and humanities. 

Protecting vulnerable Irish coasts, preserving endangered archives during the war in Ukraine and research investigating life after prison were among the major projects celebrated at University College Cork’s Research and Innovation Awards 2023.

The annual awards recognised researchers who are driving innovation and making a positive difference, from the local to the global, influencing culture, the environment, technology and policy for the benefit of society.

The awards celebrated researchers spanning diverse disciplines at UCC College of Arts Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, with researchers and projects recognised across six categories.  

Dr Aaron Lim and Dr Tatiana Vagramenko were announced as joint winners of the Early-Stage Researcher of the Year.

Dr Aaron Lim is a Lecturer in Marine Geosciences, Director of MSc Applied Coastal and Marine Management and Head of the Earth and Ocean Lab at University College Cork. Dr Lim’s was recognised for his pioneering work to protect vulnerable coastal habitats in Ireland though digital environment technology.

Dr Tatiana Vagramenko, social anthropologist and Senior Postdoctoral Researcher at UCC Future Humanities Institute and UCC Study of Religions, was recognised for her leadership of a new research project to preserve endangered archives in Ukraine. The History Declassified project is a vital tool of community activism during war, empowering communities to reclaim their narratives and histories amid conflict.

Dr Katharina Swirak, UCC Department of Sociology and Criminology, was awarded the Engaged Research of the Year for her collaborative research through two interrelated projects: CLEAN SLATE CORK (IRC New Foundations) and TOGETHER (HEA NorthSouth programme). Through her socially engaged research, Katharina’s research investigates intersections of critical social policy and criminology to rehabilitate and reintegrate justice-involved people.

SCENARIO, a peer-reviewed journal in the area of performative teaching, learning and research, was awarded the Research Award for Open Science.

Dr Helena Buffery, Senior Lecturer at UCC Department of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies, was named Research Supervisor of the Year for her commitment to excellence in the support and development of exceptional researchers.

The President's Award for Research Impacting the Sustainable Development Goals was awarded to the Critical Epistemologies Across Borders (CEAB) project led by Professor Nuala Finnegan, Escudero Fontán, Dr Céire Broderick, Dr Carlos Garrido Castellano and Dr Cara Levey.

The WellSchools Network, led by David Cashman, has been named new Spin-out of the Year. The network aims to enhance physical, mental, and social well-being of primary school pupils, driving positive change.

Professor John F. Cryan, UCC Vice President for Research and Innovation at UCC, said: "Congratulations to all awards recipients at this year’s UCC Research and Innovation Awards. The standard of nominations across all award categories was indicative of the exceptional level of research and innovation that takes place throughout the University. Our annual Research and Innovation Awards celebrate those who have demonstrated exceptional creativity, pushed boundaries, and raised the national and international research profile of our institution."

Professor Cathal O’Connell, Interim Head of UCC College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, said: “We are proud to celebrate the best of our awardees and nominees who are making highly significant and valuable contributions to the research mission of the university and its contribution to society, culture and innovation. The awards recognise the great breadth and depth that the College’s research encompasses, addressing global issues across climate action, social and political science, languages and literature.”

“I am so pleased that several Early-Stage Researchers are amongst the winners this year, highlighting the world-leading research being led by the emerging generation of researchers, who are undoubtedly enriching our growing research community,” Professor O’Connell said.