Courses
National conference in Sligo puts undergraduate research in the spotlight
Recent graduates from higher education institutions across Ireland will gather at Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Sligo Campus, to present their research at the 8th annual Science Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Network Conference.
SURE 2026 will take place in the AbbVie Auditorium on Friday, 23 October, under the theme Our Research | Our Impact | Our Future.
The national conference celebrates undergraduate research in science-related disciplines and provides graduates with a platform to share work completed as part of their final-year projects.
Research presented at the conference has been selected through an independent double-blind review process. Successful authors will communicate their findings through oral or poster presentations and consider the significance, potential impact and future development of their work.
The programme will also feature keynote speakers and current postgraduate researchers. Attendees will learn more about postgraduate study, research careers and the opportunities available after completing an undergraduate degree.
Eva Campion, Lecturer in Life Science at ATU, and Conference chair in Sligo, said:
Undergraduate research deserves greater visibility because the questions students investigate, the evidence they gather and the ideas they develop have value beyond the assessment of a degree. Research is meant to be shared and discussed.
“Presenting at a national conference allows graduates to complete that process, receive recognition for their work and contribute to a wider conversation.
“For students preparing for their own projects, the conference offers a real insight into what research involves. It also opens up new possibilities: they can see the breadth of research taking place across Ireland and, perhaps for the first time, picture themselves standing at the podium.”
The SURE Network also gives graduates the opportunity to develop high-quality undergraduate research for publication in SURE-J, Ireland’s undergraduate peer-reviewed scientific journal.
As capacity is limited, completing the expression-of-interest form does not guarantee a place. Applicants will receive a separate email confirming whether they have been allocated a place.
Expression of interest to attend SURE 2026 (deadline October 9, 2026): https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=RVWFR7sAAEimX-eRBOwPxC7XEgHglO1Cv4PzpLFlLzJUNk9JU0hTMTJBVzNLNzcwRTRMRTIxSENERi4u
Further information is available on the SURE 2026 website. Queries can be directed to eva.campion@atu.ie.
Photo caption: Undergraduate researcher attendees at the SURE Conference.
For media enquiries, contact:
Ivana Hanjs
Communications Officer
Tel: 089 963 9559
E: ivana.hanjs@atu.ie
