Research Week 2026: Maynooth University Research Making a Difference
Research at Maynooth University is not confined to laboratories, archives, or academic journals. Across disciplines, researchers are working with communities, policymakers, educators and industry partners to address real-world challenges and create meaningful change. This commitment to research with impact was celebrated during Research Week 2026, where colleagues and students were recognised for their outstanding contributions through the Research Achievement Awards and Graduate Research Academy Awards.
Among those recognised were researchers whose work demonstrates how academic inquiry can influence society in tangible ways, from supporting sustainable futures and cultural heritage to shaping national agricultural policy.
One such researcher is Dr Máire Nic an Bhaird of the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, who received the Futures Hub SDG Award. Her work brings together the Irish language, cultural heritage, sustainability, and education in innovative ways that engage children, families, and communities. By connecting research with lived experience, she demonstrates how scholarship can help preserve cultural traditions while encouraging new conversations about sustainability and learning. Her recent recognition follows her earlier achievement as Engaged Individual of the Year at the Public Engagement Awards, highlighting a sustained commitment to ensuring research reaches beyond the university and into society.
The importance of research impact is equally evident in the work of Dr Michael Hayden from the School of Business. In partnership with Teagasc, Dr Hayden has examined one of the most significant challenges facing Irish agriculture: generational renewal on family farms. His research explored the financial barriers that can prevent older farmers from retiring and the opportunities available to younger farmers seeking to take on greater responsibility. By providing evidence-based insights into these challenges, the research has helped inform national agricultural policy, demonstrating how university research can directly contribute to decision-making and support the long-term sustainability of key sectors of the economy.
Together, these projects illustrate the breadth of impact emerging from Maynooth University. While their focus areas differ, both researchers share a commitment to addressing societal needs through collaboration and engagement. Whether working with communities to strengthen cultural and educational outcomes or partnering with stakeholders to inform policy development, their research generates benefits that extend far beyond academia.
Research Week 2026 provided an opportunity to celebrate achievements such as these and to recognise the people behind them. Their work reflects the University’s broader mission to produce research that not only advances knowledge but also enriches lives, supports communities, and helps shape a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Through the dedication of researchers like Dr Máire Nic an Bhaird and Dr Michael Hayden, Maynooth University continues to demonstrate that impactful research is not simply about generating new ideas. It is about ensuring those ideas make a difference in the world.
Dr. Laura Creevey
Postgraduate Recruitment Officer
Maynooth University Admissions & Student Recruitment Office
