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“ATU is the biggest asset for the region” – IDA says research talent is reshaping the Northwest economy
Research is becoming one of the biggest drivers of regional growth and competitiveness.
This was the message delivered at the Innovation, Digitalisation, Enterprise and Society (IDEAS) Symposium on 14-15 January held at ATU’s Sligo campus. IDA Ireland and ATU researchers came together to discuss how their work is influencing the economic future of the West and North-west of Ireland.
Opening the event, Michelle Conaghan, IDA Regional Manager for Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim, framed the university’s impact:
ATU is the biggest asset for the region of the last three to four years.
Addressing the twelve PhD researchers and staff of the IDEAS postgraduate research training programme, she added:
“The talent in this room is adding to the value of the region.”
Her comments positioned doctoral researchers as contributors to innovation, enterprise and regional development.
ATU President Dr Orla Flynn reinforced that message, linking the university’s creation to a broader national strategy. The formation of ATU from four legacy institutions was designed to strengthen the West and Northwest’s economic and social foundations.
“The IDA and Enterprise Ireland are key partners of ATU, and their work has played a huge role in ensuring a collective understanding of our own regional mission, as we continue to transform from four legacy institutions into one university”.
“Through this collaboration, and the range of research and innovation partnerships that ensue, our region becomes more viable and sustainable over the long-term,” added Dr Flynn.
For agencies, such as Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, the implication is clear: supporting research talent and driving innovation is now part of economic strategy.
In its current five-year strategy, the IDA Ireland aims to “increase the scale and impact of innovation by supporting next-generation and collaborative research, development, and innovation (RD&I)”.
How TU RISE is attracting regional growth
Central to this momentum is RISE@ATU, supported by TU RISE funding, which is designed to develop research capacity that directly supports the economic and social priorities of the region. The strategic investment in Technological Universities is a key reason the region is now attracting higher-value employment and innovation-led growth.
As part of the IDEAS programme, twelve PhD researchers are pursuing projects aligned with the Smart Specialisation Strategy for Ireland (DETE, 2022), spanning digital innovation, sustainable fashion, freight infrastructure, and healthcare.
Each project is conducted in partnership with regional enterprises and community organisations, ensuring that research insights are not confined to academic journals but contribute tangible value to the region.
Researchers and enterprise partners share their work through the IDEAS podcast, offering a window into how doctoral research is embedded in the region’s economy and society.
Discover all the projects, podcasts, and people behind the IDEAS postgraduate research training programme here.
“24.2% of freight vehicle kilometres in Ireland are empty runs”. Listen to the latest episode of the IDEAS Podcast on freight infrastructure.
RISE@ATU is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU through the ERDF Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021–2027.
Photo Captions
- PhD researchers and staff from ATU are partnering with regional enterprises to showcase how research can support the West and Northwest’s economic and societal needs.
- “ATU is the biggest asset for the region of the last three to four years,” Michelle Conaghan describing the research impact of the university.
- Dr Orla Flynn emphasized that supporting research talent is a key part of economic strategy.
Jorden McMenamin
Communications Officer
Tel: 074 918 6127
