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Undergraduate students from 14 HEIs around Ireland present policy-focused, evidence-driven research to politicians in the Oireachtas
30 undergraduate students including 4 ATU students take part in poster exhibition.
One in five TDs and Senators took part in the first ever student research in parliament event in Leinster House on 12 November 2025 when 30 undergraduate students from 14 Higher Education Institutions around Ireland united under the theme ‘Research for Change’, presenting research aimed at informing and improving Government policy. Póstaeir san Oireachtas (Posters in Parliament, Ireland) is a new national initiative led by Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and co-ordinated through a multi-institutional national committee, consisting of membership from ATU, TUS, Dundalk IT, SETU and TU Dublin.
Students presented solution-orientated research directly to politicians, senators and policy makers, exploring current challenges in the areas of education; environment and sustainability; healthcare, nutrition and medicine; infrastructure; society and integration; technology; social media and artificial intelligence. Each presentation focused on delivering practical recommendations to strengthen public policy in Ireland. Full details of all the research presented including research posters and short videos explaining the research impact can be found on the PsO website here.
Aoife Gillane, ATU graduate in Public Health Nutrition from Kilbeacanty, Co Galway presented a poster entitled ‘From Recognition to Action, Advancing Nutrition Care in Irish Healthcare’. Speaking after the event, Aoife said: “PsO gave me an invaluable opportunity to present my research and passion to national policymakers, including Minister James Lawless, Senator Ollie Crowe, Shane Curley, TD Albert Dolan and several other representatives, and to discuss the real gaps identified in nutrition care. The experience, along with follow-on opportunities such as speaking on Galway Bay FM, has strengthened my academic pathway and my goal of contributing to evidence-based policy and improved nutrition integration within the health system. I’m also proud that my findings contribute to the ongoing work led by Dr Lisa Ryan, whose Erasmus+ project is advancing nutrition education for healthcare professionals across Europe”.
Speaking at the event, Minister James Lawless, TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, said:
Events like PsO showcase the quality, creativity, and impact of student research happening every day across Ireland’s world-class academic institutions, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. PsO is helping to bring the depth and excellence of Irish research directly into the policy process, where it matters most, in the Houses of the Oireachtas.
PsO 2025 was sponsored by Deputy Erin McGreehan, Cathaoirleach of the Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Speaking at the event Deputy McGreehan reflected on the rising tide of misinformation in today’s modern world and the importance of ensuring the next generation of students are equipped with evidence-based research and critical thinking skills. “In a world where misinformation moves quickly, where the loudest voices are not always the most informed, the ability to communicate research clearly and confidently is a civic act. It strengthens our democracy, and it ensures evidence and expertise are part of all policy decisions,” she said.
Denis Naughten, former minister and official PsO parliamentary and government engagement advisor, said: “Based on the level of engagement between students and politicians, it is clear that there is significant demand for more policy-oriented research in Leinster House”. TDs and Senators who participated reported that the engagement was both productive and worthwhile, noting in particular that many of the student research projects aligned closely with policy areas they are actively working on.
ATU President and PsO Champion Dr Orla Flynn reflected on the importance of teaching through research from day one:
As we consider the sudden arrival of immersive user friendly GenAI, it is more important than ever to nurture a strong research culture across all levels at our academic institutions. To ensure the preservation of key graduate skills such as innovation, problem solving and a questioning mindset, we must find new ways to incentivise research active teaching staff and establish clear career pathways across the Technological University Sector
PsO National project lead and ATU lecturer Dr Therese Montgomery said: “PsO has been designed to empower our students, promoting critical thinking, innovation and civic engagement whilst building political awareness, thus providing students with the skills required to enact real change in society. Through this initiative we wish to bring research into Leinster House to inform policy, and to bring politics out to reach as many young people as possible”.
Photo caption: PsO undergraduate student researchers and supervisors on the plinth of Leinster house with the PsO national organising team, ATU president Dr Orla Flynn, Erin McGreehan, TD, and PsO parliamentary and governmental engagement advisor Denis Naughten [Photos Maxwell Photography, no repro fee]
Regina Daly
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