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Shows opening event in the DCU research series at the Royal Irish Academy
Credit: Kyran O'Brien

DCU holds first event in new Futurology research series at the Royal Irish Academy

Research news - DCU Futurology royal irish academy
On February 27th DCU held the first in a new series of research events at the Royal Irish Academy on Dawson Street. Dr Tanya Lokot, Dr Gary Sinclair, Prof Debbie Ging, Prof Sharon O’Brien and Dr Patrick Cadwell made presentations based on projects making real world impact. The event took place at the Royal Irish Academy on Dawson Street.

The event is the first in a series of six, with registration for the next three dates on 11th March, March 25th, and April 8th currently open.

The aim of these events is to bring forth some of the most urgent and cutting edge research happening at DCU. In 2024, the overall value to the university of research funding secured by DCU researchers was €47million.

The series takes the wealth of expertise, knowledge and new discoveries at DCU and maps them onto the near, medium and long term future of Ireland, and the world. Each of the six events examines a specific issue or aspect of life as we don’t yet know it.

 

Shows Dr Patrick Cadwell at the podium at the first DCU futurology event
Dr Patrick Cadwell addresses the audience as (from l-r) Prof Sharon O'Brien, Prof Debbie Ging, Dr Gary Sinclair, and Dr Tanya Lokot listen. Credit: Kyran O'Brien

On the night, Dr Tanya Lokot opened the event with a presentation about the global politics of internet freedom and authoritarian threats to a free and open internet. The following presentation from Dr Gary Sinclair laid out how his recent seeks to tackle the issue of online hate in football. 

Prof Debbie Ging spoke about her extensive and wide ranging research of toxic masculinity online influencers, and the wider concept of the ‘manosphere.’ Finally, Prof Sharon O'Brien and Dr Patrick Cadwell made a joint presentation on their development of a model for translating key messages in crisis situations.