EPISTEM PODCAST

In this episode of the EPI·STEM podcast, Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome Professor Sibel Erduran as their special guest. Professor Sibel Erduran is the Professor of Science Education in the Department of Education at the University of Oxford in the UK. Professor Erduran is an internationally renowned science educator and researcher and the Editor and member of the Editorial Boards of an impressive number of Science Education journals. Prior to taking up this position in the University of Oxford, Sibel was a former Director of EPI·STEM at UL.Professor Erduran started her career as a biochemist, qualified in the US, and later became a science and chemistry teacher. Here Sibel explains how she always carried a deep interest in the interdisciplinary nature of science and its relation to science and society. While evidence-based reasoning in science education continues to be a key skillset for young people, Sibel noticed the importance of opening broader questions of how we need to support science teachers and students differently in what has become a post-truth world. A world where there is a loss of trust in experts, where doubt can be socially engineered by different vested interests and power brokers, and where theimportance of science-in-society is nowadays more important than ever.Professor Sibel Erduran explains why science educators can no longer ignore the ethical and political dimensions of teaching science to young people and in science teachers’ continuing professional learning. Do we need to embrace our humanity in the science classroom or leave ourselves open to becoming reduced to an algorithm in this new world of AI. Young people will clearly need access to a multiplicity of knowledge(s), skillsets and values to navigate the complex social and environmental issues of our time, and to do this in ways that areempowering and imbued with hope and social justice. This new imaginary will need to open a new dialogue in the science classrooms, hold tensions in play, have new competences moving beyond critical thinking and problem solving and newskillsets such as, probabilistic thinking and critical appraisal of the power and limits of science. Working closely with Professor Olivia Levrini and others, Professor Sibel Erduran is one of the founding members of a new Special Interest Group (SIG No 8) in the European Science Education Research Association (ESERA) called, Futures-Oriented Science Education. The SIG aims to open these new debates within the community of science education researchers in relation to the multiplicity of futures needing to be reimagined for science education. Sibel speaks to the urgency to open the debate on AI and how it influences all aspects of science education, the need to stay with the pros and cons,questions of regulation and the potential for inbuilt biases in these modelling tools. The problem of AI in science educators and teachers’ practices will need to be framed as more than technical competence and will need to include new skills, ethical sensibilities and critical capacities. The musical performance today is by Rosemary O’Malley andEstaban Flores, graduates of the Master’s in Traditional Music in the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in UL. Rosemary is from Chicago and works in the European Centre for the Study of Hate in the School of Law in UL. Esteban, from France works in SAVINS music store in Limerick city. Rosemary and Esteban play a waltz by Brian O’Leary called I’ll Meet You On A Day That Never Ends and a reel called Kit O’Connor.

In this episode of the EPI·STEM podcast, Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome Liam Maquet as their special guest. Liam Maquet is an Assistant Professor in Technology Education in the School of Education and an EPI·STEM Affiliate. Liam’s most recent resource on polymers for engineering teachers and students can be found in the Engineering section of our EPI·STEM Academy of STEM Teachers (https://epistem.ie/resources/). Here we regularly upload free research-led CPD resources for teachers to adapt in their classroom and school contexts.In the podcast today, Liam recalls his experiences growing up in Ardara in County Donegal and going to St Columba’s Comprehensive School in nearby Glenties. Liam speaks to the fishing and weaving lifestyles and their impact on the culture and heritage of the area. During his teen years, Liam designed a working loom using a process of reverse engineering from an older wooden loom and today continues to enjoy weaving on this loom whenever he visits Donegal.This rich background was inspirational in shaping Liam’s passion for teaching and research in engineering, graphics and technology. In the University of Limerick, Liam not only completed an undergraduate teacher education degree in this area but was enabled to remain on as a university teacher to influence the next generation of student teachers in these subjects.Currently, Liam Maquet is in the final phase of his PhD study in Technology Education exploring productive pedagogies that enable the teaching of spatial reasoning, skills and spatial intelligence. His research is undertaken in the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) under the supervision of Dr Jeff Buckley and Dr Ronan Dunbar from TUS and Dr Sheryl Sorby from the US. In the podcast, Liam teases out the complexity of his research problem and the multiple approaches to framing this teaching and learning problem, especially from an intersectional perspective of gender, social class, race and ethnicity. Finding a productive framework that holds the tensions in play clearly matters, given that engineering and technology education aim to make a difference to the public-interest and sustainability needs of a future-oriented economy, society and environment.The music today is performed by Aisling Kearns, from Castlebar and a third-year student in the BA in World Music in the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. Here Aishling plays a piece written by the contemporary traditional composer, Liz Carroll from Chicago, called ‘The Island of Woods’. 

In this episode of the EPI·STEM podcast, Geraldine SimmiePhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome Eamonn Stack Mulvihill as their special guest. Eammon is an Associate Teacher in the School of Education at the University of Limerick (UL) and an EPI∙STEM affiliate. Eamonn is from Moyvane in North Kerry. Eamonn explains how his interest in Engineering and STEM subjects began with his family, in his early years in the Comprehensive Secondary School in Tarbert and later through completion of an engineering teacher educationdegree in the School of Education in UL. Today, Eamonn is teaching engineering topics to teacher education students in the School of Education in UL and completing a PhD study in the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) under the supervision of Dr Clodagh Reid, Dr Rónán Dunbar and Dr Richard Kimbell (UK). Eamonn is studying integrated-STEM for students and teachers in post-primary schools in Ireland. This is a topic of national and international interest in an increasingly technological world.STEM education, and integrated-STEM education remain a contested question in the literature and a live policy issue in national reports – especially in relation to the post-primary sector. How to do this integration of the four subject matter areas well, Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Technology for secondary school pupils and teachers is the live issue today and requires deciding on which lenses need to be brought to bear on the topic. Here Eamonn touches ontwo of these lenses, such as, the interdisciplinary lens and the culture-ethics-gender lens.Eamonn is deeply interested in social justice, on democratising knowledge and the value of social outreach from the university to make a real difference in community life. His podcast with Dr Dan O’Sullivan from the School ofEducation entitled ‘ON THE MARGINS’ does just that. The podcast provides a platform for people on the margins to have a voice (e.g. prisoners, travellers), to challenge mainstream biases while aiming for a social celebration ofdifference, plurality and diversity rather than seeking to assimilate everyone inside some unified pedagogy of indifference. We conclude today with a poem read and composed by Aisling Kearns, a 3rd year student in the BA in World Music in the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in UL. This original poem, called Déanta Briste was published in 2025 in the collection of contemporary poems called The Story Thursday Book 50 by the Limerick Arts Office to celebrate their 50th Anniversary.   

In this episode of the EPI·STEM podcast, Geraldine SimmiePhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome Manus McDyer as their special guest. Manus McDyer is a University Teacher in technology education in the School of Education and an EPI∙STEM Affiliate with expertise in teaching student teachers’ subjects, such as, engineering, process technology, graphics and design & technology.In the EPI·STEM podcast today, Manus shares his passionfor teaching and research in technology education and explains how he was drawn to exploring the variety of attributes and expertise of designers across different livelihoods. Manus hails from Glenties in Co. Donegal, an area famous for fiddle players and a strong creative and musical tradition in traditional music and culture. Manus first began his journey into technology education when he selected engineering and graphics, in junior cycle and senior cycle in his local comprehensive school. Later, he achieved a first-class honour, grade 1, in a four-yearundergraduate Bachelor-in-Technology-Education (B Tech Ed) degree in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) in the School of Education at UL. Manua Mc Dyer works today as a University Teacher in Technology Education in the School of Education (UL) and is currently completing his PhD study in Technology Education. His PhD supervisors include Dr Jeff Buckley, Dr Ronan Dunbar, and Dr Niall Seery from the Technological University of theShannon (TUS), and Dr Niekie Blom from the School of Education in UL.Manus is deeply interested in researching the topic ofdesign and deign thinking in technology education from multiple directions. His doctoral study draws from grounded theory as the most suitable approach to mapping this complex ontological and epistemic puzzle. Manus’ study is already yielding interesting findings into how best to support learners with productive pedagogies, including how best to include the technical, creative, affective and reflective dimensions.  Manus McDyer continues to avail of new learning andnetworking opportunities, including engaging with the touchstone of research to better support his teaching of technology education and at the same time he regularly presents at national and international research conferences intechnology and STEM education, including in Ireland, UK, Canada, China and Sweden.​​​The music selection today is performed by Eoghan Collins,from Newport, Co. Tipperary, a first-year student in the BA in World Music in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL. Eoghan is a singer, songwriter and guitarist. Here he performs an original composition called ‘Refugee Woman’.​

In this episode of the EPI·STEM podcast, Geraldine SimmiePhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome Eoin McNamara as their special guest. Eoin is a Technical Officer and Outreach Officer in the Department of Chemical Sciences at the University of Limerick (UL) and an EPI∙STEM affiliate. Eoin hails from Corbally and was a past pupil of Gael Coláiste Luimnigh. Eoin went on to complete his undergraduate bachelors’ degree in the School of Education in UL in the Biological and Chemical Sciences. Here Eoin McNamara shares the pathway he took into hiscurrent role in the Department of Chemical Sciences. Eoin discuss his current research master’s study, under the supervisor of Dr Aishling Flaherty, a science teachereducator in the School of Education and EPI∙STEM affiliate.Eoin masters’ study, entitled ‘Sensory mapping of anundergraduate laboratory against student perspectives’, not only takes account of issues, such as, technical, health and safety, and ergonomics, it also takes the question of human need into account. Here Geraldine, Michelle and Eoin discusswhat that might mean in relation to current thinking emerging from STE(A)M education, especially the need for a humanising discourse of Science and STEM education that can be grounded in dialogue and reflexivity and more in a co-equal fusion with the Arts and Humanities.Geraldine, Michelle and Eoin discuss the contested spacetoday of the Arts in STEM education referring to the national policy report on the Arts in STEM education conducted by the Department of Education and Youth (DEY), and the rich variety of approaches at play today in European policy reports, innovation projects and in the research literature. Today we want to welcome Dr Vo Van De starting his post-doctoral fellowship this week in EPI∙STEM in a new STEAM education study – as a school-university-enterprise partnership jointly funded by the Irish Research Council and Eli Lilly Limerick. Our plan is to work with interested science teachers to make a difference in science and chemistry classrooms and schoolsin Ireland. We also have three PhD students in the second year of their STEAM education studies. They will present policy analyses at the upcoming ESAI 2026 Conference in the University of Galway later in May. Their studies take a relational and transformative worldview of STEAM Education that allows for co-equal fusion of the sciences and the arts for a rich interplay between different knowledges and ways of knowing.  The music selection is performed by Eoghan Collins fromNewport, Co. Tipperary. Eoghan is a first-year student in the BA in World Music in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL. Eoghan is a singer, songwriter and guitarist. Eoghan performs his original composition called ‘Don’t Wait’.

In this episode of the EPI·STEM podcast, Geraldine SimmiePhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome Dr Michaela Hayes as their special guest. Dr Hayes is a University Teacher in technology education in the School of Education and an EPI∙STEM Affiliate with expertise in teaching student teachers’ subjects, such as, construction studies, graphics and wood technology.In the EPI·STEM podcast today, Dr Michaela Hayes shares her passion for teaching and research in technology education andpedagogy and explains how deliberative democracy in the classroom can support paying attention to the common good of society and the environment. Dr Hayes traces her passion and research interest in technology education from good beginnings as a pupil in Coláiste Mhuire in Ennis to her four-year undergraduate degree in UL in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) in technology education. Dr Hayes’s research expertise in relation to pedagogy and teacher learning in technology education is underpinned by her doctoral study - completed in 2025.Dr Hayes’ doctoral study involved a deep dive into a conceptual framework that drew from the theorisations of Habermas and Foucault and examined the problem involved in seeking to establish a democratic classroom experience for all young people. Dr Hayes explains the need to acknowledge the rich interplays between technology, ethics and power. This needs to include the heart work embedded in good teaching and the necessary struggle for students to experience a democratic learning environment in technology education. Michaela explains that the overall aim here is to make a difference to breathing life into the United Nation’s sustainable development goals. Dr Michaela Hayes is currently working on a European projecton active learning methodologies with her colleagues, Dr Niekie Blom and Dr Donal Canty. This coming week they are travelling, along with final year students to Murcia in Spain to meet their European partners and to visit schools. The music selection today is performed by Caoimhe Doherty, athird-year student in the BA in World Music in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL. Here Caoimhe plays two jigs on the fiddle, The Rolling Wave and Banished Misfortune.

In this episode of the EPI·STEM podcast, Geraldine SimmiePhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome Professor JJ Leahy as their special guest. Professor JJ Leahy is Head of the Department of Chemical Sciences in the University of Limerick, a world-renowned expert on environmental chemistry who is working on large scale research projects and in an advisory role in relation to European directives.In the EPI·STEM podcast today, Professor JJ Leahy shares the changing face of the scientific research and higher education taking place in the Department of Chemical Sciences today, especially with the new emphasis on finding innovative and sustainable solutions to issues of waste management, climate change, biomedical issues and renewable energies. This has resulted in former disciplinary teams in higher education nowadays working more across multiple disciplines, in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary spaces sharing these ethical and epistemic puzzles, including chemical engineering, industrial biochemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry and environmental sciences.Professor JJ Leahy shares his passion for scientific research and innovation and what it can do when coupled with the foundational and ethical principles of education and good governance to inspire mindset change and lifelong learning among a scientifically informed general population, with an increasing critical awareness of the necessity for a care-based, sustainable and cooperative future.The music selection today is performed by Caoimhe Doherty, a third-year student in the BA in World Music in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL. Here Caoimhe plays a jig written by Junior Crehan called Misty Covered Mountain.

In this episode of the EPI·STEM podcast, Geraldine SimmiePhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome Associate Professor Keelin Leahy as their special guest. Associate Professor Leahy is a Lecturer in Wood, Technology & Design in the School of Education and an EPI∙STEM Affiliate.In the podcast Associate Professor Leahy recalls how herresearch interest and passion for the subject happened through inspiration from a female teacher of woodwork in her school days in Coláiste Mhuire in Ennis, Co. Clare and through working in the medium of wood with her father. Keelincompleted her undergraduate studies in UL in Construction Studies. Later Associate Professor Keelin Leahy spent a sabbatical year in the University of Michigan in the US. There Keelin worked with a multidisciplinary team in ‘designheuristics’ including researchers interested in psychology and in design. While Design Thinking, both in the US and Ireland was focused more on the output there was less interest shown in the process, and especially in the ways thatyoung people could be inspired to think as creative designers. Today, Keelin has written textbooks for student teachers, for teaching design thinking in the post-primary curriculum in Ireland.Associate Professor Keelin Leahy goes on to explain the thinking tools, steps and skillsets that can nowadays be provided to young people when engaging in ‘domain readiness’ for problem-based learning. These includecognitive and metacognitive thinking tools and strategies that help students to push past ‘fixation’ and that can open minds and hearts to innovative approaches. This ‘heuristic design’ approach not only enriches competence in design thinking skills, it helps student wellbeing and has capacity for all involved to seek ways to make a difference to people, place and planet.  Finally, Associate Professor Leahy speaks to a recentresearch paper published with colleagues in UL who formed an online community of practice during covid-19. The platform supported the colleagues to reflexively engage in relation to their efforts to teach young people online and to learn with and from one another. Keelin speaks to the power of dialogue, the felt sense of collegiality, and the deeper, more meaningful and contextually significant learning arising from this encounter. We will now draw the podcast to a close from this semesterand plan to return when our spring semester starts again in January 2026. We are delighted to announce that the Irish Research Council have awarded us in EPI·STEM with a research fellow for Dr Vo Van De to work in a school-university-enterprise partnership with Eli Lilly and chemistry teachers in schools in Ireland. A special word of thanks to all our guests this semester and to Assistant Professor Matthew Noone for his support from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. Finally, thanks to the Digital Hub in UL for hosting our podcast and to our producer, Grzegorz Rogola for his expertise, skill and constant care.The music selection today is by Nora Gowran from Ennis inCounty Clare. Nora is a first-year student in the BA in World Music in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL. Here Nora sings a beautiful sean-nós song, Grá Mo Chroí (Love of My Heart).

In this episode of the EPI·STEM podcast, Geraldine SimmiePhD welcomes Professor Merrilyn Goos as the special guest along with Associate Professor Niamh O’Meara. Professor Goos is currently Professor Emeritus in the Sunshine Coast University in Australia. Merrilyn was a former Director of EPI·STEM The National Centre for STEM Education, where she is now an Adjunct Professor.In this episode, Professor Goos, who grew up in Brisbane inthe mid-eastern coast of Australia shares how her passion and research revolves around supporting teachers in their practices. In a former role, Merrilyn acted as the Course Director of the Professional Diploma in Mathematics forTeaching (PDMT) and published extensively on teacher upskilling programmes. Merrilyn understands that programmes do not seamlessly transport to a differentcountry and that higher level things matter in this regard, such as, the culture of schools and the relationships between a variety of actors. In this episode, Professor Goos shows how critical mathematical thinking has gained in significance in Australia and how this makes sense given that many complex problems encountered today require agility to move between disciplines and to generate new creative and critical solutions. For mathematics teaching this can mean connecting subject matter to real life issues of social justice, such as housing, flood protections, homelessness. Many of these ethical and contemporary issues require skills and competence in mathematics as a vital component of real-world solutions.Professor Merrilyn Goos also completed extensive research,and support of teachers, in relation to numeracy across the curriculum. This involved completing an audit of numeracy across the curriculum while helping teachers to see where numeracy matters in specific subject areas. These border-crossing partnership, including collaborations of mathematics educators and mathematicians, while having a sound theoretical basis can prove challenging in the living contradictions of practice. Merrilyn has recently written timely reviews of STEMeducation - while noting that STEM is included in the Primary Curriculum in Ireland, initial reviews reveal that teachers generally see themselves as subject experts. In addition, there is often no allocated space in the school timetable for STEM in post-primary schools and this thinking has yet to gainthat desired policy momentum.  After serving eight years on the executive of the InternationalConference for Mathematics Instruction (ICMI), Merrilyn is currently President of this prestigious organisation. ICMI works across the global world and especially in developing countries, where teachers of mathematics are often teaching young people without adequate upskilling and more often without resources. ​​The music selection today is by Sarbik Guha, a singersongwriter known by his stage name as Biki, and as Biki and his Buddies. Biki is a 3rd year PhD student in Arts Practice in the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL. Here Biki sings his first original composition ‘Its High Time You Make Her Believe’, while playing his acoustic guitar.

In this episode of the EPI·STEM podcast, Geraldine SimmiePhD welcomes Associate Professor Nicolaas Blom as the special guest. Nicolaas is a Lecturer in Technology Education and Course Director of the International Master’s programme in the School of Education at UL.Here Associate Professor Blom shares how he came to UL in2020 from his former role as a Lecturer in Design Technology in South Africa. Nicolaas was attracted to the education system in Ireland through an education technology conference he attended in 2018, where he was highly impressed by the creativity and modelling in the projects on display.Associate Professor Blom’s research specialism lies in interrogation of where young people’s creative ideas and thinking come from, such as, from the layout of the problem, the role of memory and prior experience, and/or the part played by stimulating learning environments. This was the topic of interest in Nicolaas’s PhD study in Technology Design 2016 and continues to interest him nowadays in relation to the cognitive, metacognitive, including learning from indigenous communities. In this regard, Associate Professor Blom isinterested not only in the complexity of students’ thinking, designing and doing but also in navigating their personal ethical journeys of (human) becoming. Nicolaas invites his students to partake in action research projects while working in teams and navigating what the Celtic philosopher, JohnO’Donohue called ‘the web of betweenness’.As part of public engagement, and aligned with AssociateProfessor Blom’s interest in the notion of social sustainability, Nicolaas works in a cross-national partnership project between transition year students in one school in Ireland (Kanturk, Co. Cork) and a rural resource centre in South Africa, with the aim of designing and manufacturing low cost resources for students with severe disabilities, and for instilling a felt sense of social consciousness, for responsibility and action with and for others.  The music selection is by Sarbik Guha, known by his stage name as Biki, and as Biki and his Buddies. Biki is a 3rd year PhDstudent in Arts Practice in the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL. Biki sings an original composition ‘Fly Away to Another Shore’, while playing his acoustic guitar.

In this episode of the EPI·STEM podcast, Geraldine SimmiePhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome Dr Sarah Hayes as their special guest. Dr Hayes is the Chief Operations Officer in SSPC, a research centre hosted in The Bernal Institute in UL through the Department of Chemical Sciences. As a Pharmaceuticals Research Centre, SSPC works with pharmaceutical industries inIreland in designing and delivering academic-enterprise partnerships in research, innovation and public engagement. In this episode, Dr Sarah Hayes charts her journey into herundergraduate degree in science education in UL and later into her PhD study with Dr Peter Childs. Sarah’s doctoral research focused on interrogating science in transition year from the perspective of impact, if any, on future career choice. At the same time, Sarah worked with Dr Childs to plan and deliver a public series of Science Magic Shows to schools. The aim was tomotivate young people to feel the ‘awe’ and wonder in science experimentation as much as to gain improved scientific literacy. This emphasis on affectivity has grown substantially in science education in recent years and moves us beyond former stereotypes.SSPC works with nine other organisations in Ireland,including the universities in Ireland, The Royal College of Surgeons, SETU in Waterford and NIBERT (National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training). SSPC collaborates with over 50 industries in Ireland in the pharma and biomedical sectors. Of the 400 IRC (Irish Research Council) funded PhDsstudents in SSPC, more than two thirds progress afterwards into industry. Nowadays, the challenge to solve complex problems through Research & Innovation requires a next level of multidisciplinary practices that rely on very different styles of leadership and scientific communication than heretofore.We conclude with a chat about the public engagement activities underway for Science Week in Limerick and across the country (www.scienceweek.ie). We briefly open the question of how we might inspire a diversity of young people in Ireland toselect chemistry as a school subject, for a love of the subject in its own right; its intellectual prowess; and using a critical appraisal approach to have chemistry today make a difference to science-in-society, for citizen science and the planet.The musical selection is Gan Anam Jig, a lively traditionaltune played on keyboard by Ciara Geaney from Dingle, an accomplished piano player and a student in the BA in Irish Music in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Limerick.

In this episode of the EPI·STEM podcast, Geraldine SimmiePhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome Assistant Professor Patrick J. Dundon as their special guest. Assistant Professor Dundon is a lecturer in science education in the School of Education and an affiliate of the EPI·STEM research centre. Pat is also Course Director for the undergraduate programme in UL in biologyeducation, with additional options either in agricultural science or in physics and chemistry.In the podcast, Pat shares his journey into the academy of science teacher education at UL from completing his undergraduate studies in science teacher education and his PhD study in the life sciences in UL, to becoming a science teacher in Castletroy College. In addition, AssistantProfessor Dundon has acted as an examiner with the State Examinations Commission and a resource person with the OIDE team, the teacher learning team overseen by the Department of Education and Youth.Dr Dundon shares his insights of the complexities and nuancesinvolved in teaching young people science, taking a reflective and relational positioning and coming from a rich understanding that the canon of science knowledge is itself provisional and constantly changing. This invites multiplepedagogical approaches - it relates to citizen science and moves science teaching beyond a static body of knowledge.  As a science teacher your aim is to keep the tension alive between being present to the young people and delivering the class that you had carefully planned.Dr Pat Dundon has published school-based textbooks, generalscience books for junior cycle and a recent book for the new Leaving Certificate Biology specification. His current research studies are interested in the multiple experiences of student teachers during their school placement and developing with colleagues a research-led framework for teaching science practical skills. The music selection today is by Yoghan, an original songwriter from Limerick and a final year student in the BA in World Music in the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in UL. Here Yoghan is playing his acoustic guitar and singing his originalcomposition called ‘Butterfly’.

In this episode of the EPI·STEM podcast, Geraldine SimmiePhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome Professor Sarah Hudson as their special guest. Professor Hudson was appointed in May this year as Director of The Bernal Institute at the University of Limerick. The Bernal Institute is a highly prestigious research institute at UL that hosts specialist research centres with an interdisciplinary focus on solving complex problems in theareas of health, energy and the environment.Professor Sarah Hudson, originally from Leixlip in CountyKildare began her science career as an undergraduate student in the natural sciences in Trinity College Dublin. Sarah went on to complete a master’s by research in the interface between materials and biology. After that Sarah took her love of canoeing with her as she set off for a year of travelling the world. On return, Professor Hudson answered a call from the University of Limerick to join their research team in the Materials and Surface Science Institute (MSSI) where she completed her PhD study. Prof Sarah later completed a postdoctoral study and Marie Curie fellowship in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.Professor Sarah Hudson, in becoming a renowned scientist inthe field of physical chemistry shares her understanding of the importance of membership of the scientific research community, the need to take time to train and support the next generation of PhD students and post-doctoral fellows and to open opportunities to engage with visiting scientists and fellows. Science today is constantly grappling with complex problems that require co-locating researchers from different disciplines to find a new language and new ways towork together to arrive at innovative solutions.The Bernal Institute in the University of Limerick offersthis state-of-the-art space for research teams from multiple disciplines to collaborate. This infrastructure is further supported by operating teams and hosts a number of funded research centres. The Institute has over 80 Principal Investigators, 200 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, and collaborates with other faculty and departments in UL as well as external to UL, including the localcommunity, industry, hospitals etc.Recently, in a successful partnership between the BernalInstitute, EPI∙STEM and SPSS, we supported the national OIDE chemistry team, the professional support team for schools overseen by the Department of Education and Youth, in their use of the outreach laboratory to plan and designtheir experiments for the in-service support this autumn of all chemistry teachers in Ireland. Working together next year, and with the UL Department of Chemistry, we will host the CHEM ED Conference for all chemistry teachers in Ireland on Saturday, 24th October 2026 at the University of Limerick.The music selection today is by Caoimhe Fitzpatrick from Laois, a first-year student in the BA in World Music in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL. Here Caoimhe sings her own composition called Lady in Purple and accompanies herself on her acoustic guitar.

In this episode of the EPI·STEM podcast, Geraldine SimmiePhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome Professor Laura Colucci-Gray as their special guest. Professor Colucci-Gray is the Professor of Science Education in the School of Education at Moray House, University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Earlier this summer, Professor Laura Colucci-Gray was aninvited keynote speaker at the European Science Education Research Association (ESERA) 2025 conference in Copenhagen. Laura introduced the science education delegates and researchers to her theorisations in relation to the importance of the arts positioned on an equal footing with the sciences inscience education and sustainability.In 2017, Prof Colucci-Gray worked with Professor Simmie andProfessor Sibel Erduran, Professor of STEM Education at the University of Oxford and former Director of EPI∙STEM, on a commissioned report for the British Education Research Association (BERA) on the future potential and challenges of STEAM education. Prof Colucci-Gray takes a feminist and new materialist approach to science education and theorises affectivity beyond evidence, for the importance of social and emotional development, not only for human self-flourishing but for capacity to be moved (affected) to care for others in the wider world, for the greater good and sustainability of democratic society, the economy and the environment.As well as providing rich conceptualisations of thetransdisciplinary nature of science education, and the crucial role of the arts, Professor Laura Colucci-Gray works as an expert researcher in research and development projects that make a difference to embodied and place-based learning practices. Recently, Laura working with a team of teacher educators andartists at the University of Edinburgh presented their STEAM education project, the GARDEN AS A PROVOCATION. The project invited science teachers to step into the garden as a metaphor and as a reality, for a new way of seeing,experiencing and experimenting with science in the wider world, inspiring arts-based pedagogies for working in democratic ways with students, to learn science in ways that are ethical, open, contemplative, sceptical and while learning to care for self, others and the environment.The music selection today is by Caoimhe Fitzpatrick, afirst-year student in the BA in World Music in the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick. Here Caoimhe plays acoustic guitar and sings her original composition on human freedom, called ‘Liberties Baby’.

In this episode of the EPI·STEM podcast, Geraldine SimmiePhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome Dr. Martin Mc Hugh as their special guest. Dr. Martin Mc Hugh works as the Public Engagement Officer in the SSPC laboratory in The Bernal Institute at the University of Limerick. SSPC is a Pharmaceuticals Research Centre working closely with pharmaceutical industries in Ireland in designing and delivering academic-enterprise partnerships inresearch, innovation and public engagement. In the podcast today, Dr McHugh shares his journey into thiscareer pathway, beginning with an undergraduate degree and a master’s study in environmental science followed by completion of the diploma in education that qualified his as a science teacher. After teaching young people science Martinreturned to take up the Hardiman Scholarship at the University of Galway with the science educator Dr. Veronica McAuley and completed his PhD in Science Education. Dr Mc Hugh’s study was an investigation into ways of attractingyoung people to take an interest in science and resulted in the design of pedagogical resources that science teachers tried in class.Nowadays as the Public Engagement Officer with the SSPCLaboratory Martin works with different groups to promote the dissemination of medical and pharmaceutical research conducted in Ireland, to groups, such as pupils in primary and secondary schools and to active retirement groups. The SSPCLaboratory has over 200 PhD students who reach out to schools and bring all aspects of science to life for young people in schools, with packages, such as Medicine Maker, How the Brain Works, and Citizen Science projects. Martinstresses the need to negotiate the learning with the student, to lower power and to include spaces for pastoral care as well as improving scientific literacy. For this year’s SCIENCE WEEK, The SSPC Laboratory will beengaged in 100s of activities, taking place across the country and here in the mid-west. As well as science shows the festival will bring many students onto the campus for the first time. You can find out more by looking up the SSPC website at: Limerick Festival of Science events schedule - SSPCThe music selection today is from Caoimhe Fitzpatrick, afirst-year student in the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick. Here Caoimhe plays her acoustic guitar and sings Alone Again by Gilbert O’Sullivan.

In this episode of the EPI·STEM podcast, Geraldine SimmiePhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome Samuel Brzyskiewicz as their special guest. Samuel recently joined our research centre as the Research Coordinator leading our online EPI·STEMACADEMY OF STEM TEACHERS. The funding for the role was provided by the research office in the University of Limerick (UL). Samuel is a UL graduate who completed his undergraduate studies in physics and chemistry teacher education. Samuel is in the final stage of his PhD in the School of Education, in digital literacy, an educational research study supervised by Professor Oliver Mc Garr and AssociateProfessor Rachel Lenihan.Here we discuss the origins and our future oriented visionfor the online EPI·STEM ACADEMY OF STEM TEACHERS. We want the online platform to contribute to STEM teachers’ upskilling in knowledge and their Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The platform offers STEM teachers, acrossscience, mathematics, engineering and technology access to research-led CPD resources that are aligned with the national curriculum, readily adaptable for classroom use and with capacity to reach across the curriculum to STEM and STEAM education. Putting the arts, ethics and aesthetics into STEM education can provide teachers with powerful pedagogical resources that support scientific thinking and at the same time work toward wellbeing and sustainability.After we secure the online EPI·STEM ACADEMY OF STEM TEACHERS as a resource hub we will work with interested teachers to develop an online community of practice and find productive ways to support summer schools in UL. We continue to work closely with STEM education researchers and EPI·STEMaffiliates in UL and with teacher voluntary and professional bodies in Ireland. We are also working with local enterprises to design research-led CPD resources that reflect a school-university-enterprise approach to STEM education. Forexample, we are currently designing research-led CPD resources with the local enterprise SEROSEP, a Limerick based enterprise making high quality diagnostics for biochemical use, such as highly specialist water testing kits for local government. This resource readily links to an application of science in a realworld setting and to civil engagement and sustainability. It has relevance today given that the recent report from the Environmental Protection Agency revealed that over 50% of our national waterways need improved water quality.The musical selection today is The Boyne Water, an arrangement by Martin Hayes and The Common Ground Ensemble played on fiddle by Eilidh Pope, an instrumentalist, composer and student in the BA in World Music in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Limerick.

In the EPI·STEM PODCAST episode 24, Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome Dr Jeff Buckley, Lecturer in the Department of Technology Education at the Technological University of the Shannon. Dr Buckley teaches research methods in engineering education to postgraduate students. A former alumni of the University of Limerick Jeff completed his PhD and postdoctoral research in a university in Sweden and in an engineering department.Dr Buckley introduces his current role as Series Editor of a new Springer Nature series of book publications entitled ‘Emergent Discussions in Engineering Education’. The Springer book series is designed to be of support for engineering educators, researchers and policymakers with an interest in contemporary issues in engineering education. Dr Buckley is joined here by our UL colleague Dr Jason Power, an EPI∙STEM affiliate who is a member of the Editorial Board for this Springer Nature book series in engineering education. They are well supported by the Springer Nature team in this endeavour including by the Education Editor, Claudia Acuna. Topics of interest in engineering education include paying attention to affectivity and empathy and how to make the subject more accessible for women and girls. Jeff reminds us that this cultural question provides a challenge to the field, and to society, and needs amore expansive framing, beyond simply numbers or fixing the girls.Dr Buckley and Dr Power Jeff share what they are looking for in a book chapter submission. They show the advantage for an early career researcher accessing the key names in a field through an edited book and the opportunity it provides to engage with the ideas underpinning the field.The musical selection today is by Ayyaz Mehmood, a graduate from the Performing Arts in World Music in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick. Ayyaz is a singer and a songwriter. Here Ayyaz is playing acoustic guitar and singing one of his own compositions, entitled ‘Homelife’.

In this episode of the EPI·STEM podcast, Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome Associate Professor Audrey O’Grady as their special guest. Associate Professor O’Grady is a  Lecturer in Biological Sciences with a research specialism in entomology [study of insects] in the Faculty of Science & Engineering at the University of Limerick. Audrey is an EPI·STEM affiliate where she is a member of our PhD supervision team for our next generation of Science and STEMeducators.Here Associate Professor Audrey O’Grady shares her passionfor teaching science in higher education and her research and public engagement with local schools in relation to the importance of future sustainability, knowledge and care of the natural environment. Audrey has published a number ofresearch papers in relation to innovative pedagogical practices in science education. Audrey speaks to the importance of inspiring your people in science, the need for practical hands on and minds on work in learning science and how scientists can work to make a difference.  Associate Professor O’Grady has an extensive track record inoutreach and public engagement with local schools, science teachers and pupils in relation to science and pedagogies of science. She is involved in a recent Irish Research Council research partnership project on trees, called ROOTS [ReachingOut to Our Trees] with local primary schools and the University of Limerick. The aim of the project is to support primary teachers and their pupils to become observant of trees, to learn to identify five trees in their locality and to learn something of the science behind trees and their co-existence with other species. Connecting to the life of trees in this way not only teaches the young children the science behind tree identification but it also provides a green space for STEM education, for wellbeing and for community engagement andsustainability. Audrey shares about the work underway to develop the arboretum in the University of Limerick.The musical selection is from Ben King, a songwriter and guitarist from Nenagh in Co. Tipperary. Ben is a student, in the BA in World Music in The Irish World Academy of Musicand Dance in UL. Here Ben performs his own Reggae composition called Warm.

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 22, co-hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD reflect on the newacademic year ahead and the emphasis in the podcast to date of a rich variety of voices connected to STEM and STEAM Education, including researchers, teachers and partners. Here, Geraldine and Michelle discuss the research study Geraldine completed for the European Commission, a scoping study on education and skills that was published in recent weeks (https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/education-and-skills-social-transformations-and-resilience_en). The study is a philosophical critique of education and skills with an emphasison a futures orientation for a fair and sustainable green and digital transition in Europe. The study considers the key question under three headings. First, the study interprets the current state of play of education and skills in a fast-globalising world and in Europe.  Second, the study reveals supranational policy documents from UNESCO, OECD and others that are seeking a paradigm shift in the framing of education and skills, for a new social imaginary that repairs past injustices and provides a new emphasis on societal and environmental aspects. They discuss the findings in relation to teachers’ knowledge base and futuristic apprenticeships. We want thank our Research Assistants who worked in EPI•STEM on a summer internship producing research-led CPDresources, in engineering and STEM subjects, resources that are free to all teachers who register on our EPI•STEM ACADEMY OF STEM TEACHERS (https://epistem.ie/hea-resources/).The musical selection today is The Boyne Water, an arrangement by Martin Hayes and The Common GroundEnsemble played on fiddle by Eilidh Pope, an instrumentalist/composer who completed her BA in World Music in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Faculty of Arts and Humanities.

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 21, co-hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD reflect on the variety of voices in the podcasts to date. They then continue where they left off in Episode 7 in relation to selecting and justifying a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches to doctoral studies in STEM and STEAM Education.Michelle Starr PhD shares her research specialism in the criticalsociology of the French intellectual Pierre Bourdieu and shows how thinking with the big ideas and concepts of Bourdieu offers a powerful explanatory framework for education research studies framed as cultural problems. Michellespeaks to the interplay between the individual and structure and the relations between what Bourdieu called ‘habitus’, ‘field’ and cultural, social and economic ‘capital’.Geraldine Simmie PhD shares her research specialism in Critical Policy Studies, her understanding of the complexity of this social scientific problem, not only interrogating the gap between policy and practice but justifying the need to offer an affirmative critique of the framing of education policies.Geraldine shares her approach to doing this policy research, drawing from philosophical, critical and feminist theorists and educational thinkers.  We restart the podcast again in the autumn. In the meantime, thank you to all our listeners, the team and Affiliates in EPI•STEM, School of Education colleagues and students from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. Thanksto Professor Sara Tolbert at the University of Melbourne at Monash, Australia, local schools, teachers and pupils, OIDE chemistry support team, Limerick Education Support Centre, Hunt Museum and local enterprises {Analog, Boston Scientific, Elly Lilly, ESB, SEROSEP}. A word of thanks for the endorsement of our eco-village project from the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins, the Cloughjordan Eco-Village project and RTEs David Bannon. Finally, a special thank you to the Digital Hub in UL especially our producer Greg Rogala. The musical selection is Gan Anam Jig, a lively traditional tune played on keyboard by Ciara Geaney from Dingle, an accomplished piano player and a student in the BA in Irish Music in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance,Faculty of Arts and Humanities, UL.

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 20, co- hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome Associate Professor Diarmaid Lane as the special guest. Diarmaid is a Lecturer in Technology Education in the School of Education and an EPI•STEM Affiliate at UL.Associate Professor Diarmaid Lane shares his personal story of his route into teacher education and research in Technology and STEM teacher education in the University of Limerick. He shows how his continuing reflexive learning ismaking a difference to the pedagogical approaches he espouses with his students and colleagues. Associate Professor Diarmad Lane shares his recent research andhis passion for researching new pedagogical approaches to teaching design thinking and spatial literacy to student teachers in Initial Teacher Education in non-linear ways and as an assemblage of representations.Associate Professor Diarmad Lane is currently writing research with Professor Geraldine Simmie exploringthis issue of reflexivity and how it might hold up a crucial mirror to the ethical and caring endeavour of emancipatory STEM teaching in higher education. Having won numerous prestigious awards for excellence in teaching at theUniversity of Limerick, regionally and nationally, it is clear here that Diarmaid continues to work with colleagues to constructively question and constantly critique his teaching, research and learning. The musical selection today is from Liam Broderick. Liam is a singer and guitarist from Abbeyfeale in Co. Limerick. Liam is a final year student in the BA in Irish Music in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in UL. Liam performs a beautiful rendition of the traditional song Siúil a Rún, which means ‘Walk my love’ or ‘Come with me my darling’ with origins in the late 17th century.

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 19, co-hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome Professor Sara Tolbert from Monash University in Melbourne Australia. Professor Tolbert was recently appointed as a Professor of STEM Education and alongside colleagues leads out the new SCIENCE EDUCATION IN THE ANTHROPOCENE IMPACT LAB. The impact lab is designed to reimagine our relationship with the natural world. Previously, Professor Tolbert was the Professor of Science Education at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.The Science Education Impact Lab positions Science Education today as being at the intersection of nature, culture and society. This throws up new questions and invites a fresh rethink about how we teach science and how we need to equip young people withcapabilities to address complex issues by recognising the complex relationships between ecological systems, political and economic structures and sociocultural practices that shape our current planetary conditions.Professor Tolbert discusses the contested literature that is currently reimagining science education, as a theoretical and social movement resulting in new strands added to the European Science Education Research Association (ESERA), including futuristic thinking about science, intersectionality, education and inclusion. The impact lab invites a rethink about the purposes of science education, the history of science while bringing together diverse perspectives and knowledge systems. Link to the SEA (Science Education in the Anthropocene) Impact Lab: https://www.monash.edu/education/research/sea-labScience Education in the Anthropocene Lab - Monash EducationThe musical selection today is a waltz, called Tears, written by Gerry Holland in Cape Bretton in Canada and played on fiddle by Dr. Avril McLoughlin. Avril was a former researcher in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL and is now a Lecturer in Music Education at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick.

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 18,co-hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome guests from theLimerick city post-primary school, Coláiste Nano Nagle – Conor Bourke, the chemistry and biology teacher and two second year students, Marina Alphonsa and Areej Elgenaidi.The students and their teacher recount the deep learning in STEAM education they experienced from participating in theproject entitled DESIGN A SUSTAINABLE VILLAGE IN IRELAND IN 2050. The project was offered to schools in Limerick as a pilot partnership between EPI•STEM at the University of Limerick, the HUNT Museum and the Limerick Education Support Centre. Here the teacher and students share their futuristic design, the ways they developed a sustainability and justice mindset, and the importance of planning, doing and reflecting together on using STEAM knowledge, values and skills for the greater good of society and the local environment.The group worked with the art teacher Sarah Nestor and included additional students, Leya Zanean, Rumasa Shaizadi,Ciara Courage and Hina Nazar. They recounted their visit to the Hunt Museum for additional inspiration and the way their concept evolved from a detailed drawing of the village.The group paid attention to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in relation to GenderEquality. They were interested in the construction of an eco-village with cultural spaces, spaces for wellbeing, sports and inter-denominational worship. Their imagined 2050 Eco-Village was a futuristic world where there was gender equality for all in theory and in practice. The musical selection today is the Kilnamona Barn Dance from County Clare, played on fiddle by Dr. Avril McLoughlin. Avril is a Lecturer in Music Education in Mary Immaculate College in Limerick.

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 17, co-hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome guests from theLimerick post-primary school, Thomond Community College – Shaun Donegan, the engineering teacher and Transition Year students, Patrick Rwasibo and Josh Cronin.The students and their teacher recount the deep learning in STEAM education they experienced from participating in theproject entitled DESIGN A SUSTAINABLE VILLAGE IN IRELAND IN 2050. The project was offered to schools in Limerick as a pilot partnership between EPI•STEM at the University of Limerick, the HUNT Museum and the Limerick Education Support Centre. Here the engineering teacher and TY students share their futuristic design, the ways they developed a sustainability and social justice mindset, and the importance of planning,doing and reflecting together on using engineering for the greater good of society and the local environment.The group worked with another engineering teacher Aidan O’Connell and included additional students, Melios Smalis, Ciara Quaid, Emer Quinn and Sandra Galecka. They recount a visit to the Cloughjordan Eco-Village in Co. Tipperary and a visit to the Hunt Museum for additional inspiration.The group paid attention to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in relation to reducing poverty. They were interested in the construction of a democratic village where egalitarian relations existed between people rather than the more familiar hierarchical relations. The musical selection today is an original song played onacoustic guitar by Ayyaz Mehmood, a composer and final year student in Performing Arts and World Music in the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick. Ayyaz is singing his own composition, a bilingual love song in Urdu and English called ‘Widhu’.

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 16, co-hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome guests from thepost-primary school, Coláiste Chiaráin in Croom Co. Limerick – Edel Farrell, the physics teacher and three Transition Year students, Felix Nabor, Masha Galinovska and Andrew Szetlitsvoi.The students and their physics teacher recount the deep learning in STEAM education they experienced from participating in the project entitled DESIGN A SUSTAINABLE VILLAGE IN IRELAND IN 2050. The project was offered to schools in Limerick as a pilot partnership between EPI•STEM at the University of Limerick, the HUNT Museum and theLimerick Education Support Centre. Here the physics teacher and TY students share the vision of their futuristic design, the multiple ways they developed asustainability mindset during the project, and the importance of thinking, planning, doing and reflecting on justice for the greater good of society and the local environment.Besides working with the physics teacher, the students worked closely with the Art teacher, Michael Delorgy and the art room provided a welcome space to plan the details of the project.Through this combination of STEAM subjects their OCTO_ECO_VILLAGE concept was formed, a fully sustainable eco-village in the shape of that most versatile animal, the OCTOPUS. The village was fully pedestrianised with green bicycle routes and an underground car park. The eco-village was situated on the banks of a river with ready access to water. Renewable energy was in-built, and climate friendly material was used to construct the dwelling spaces, the local housing and community meeting spaces for cultural activities andmulti-denominational worship. The musical selection today is by Ayyaz Mehmood, a final year student in the Performing Arts in World Music in The Irish World Academy of Music. Ayyaz is a singer and a songwriter. Here Ayyaz is playing acoustic guitar and singing one of his own compositions, entitled ‘Homelife’.

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 15, co-hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD discuss the positioning of education at a crossroads once again in light of the fast changing global economic landscape brought about by the US President Donal Trump. The imposition of trade tariffs between nation states brings an abrupt end to the last twenty years or more of free trade and free movement of people, goods and services across the globe.The central question Geraldine and Michelle engage with here is why a change to the economy of this substantive and unforeseen scale will inevitably result in changes to the education system in nation states and across continents and to the perceived purposes of education.The political scientist Hannah Arendt reminds us in her book Totalitarianism that when there is a crisis in the economy this will inevitably result in policy changes to the education system. Education is never innocent and the socio-political order of the day is always remade through the education system.The European Commission is currently researching how to reframe an equitable and fair green and digital transition in a futuristic Europe, the importance of care and justice for society and the environment. Geraldine is the expert researcher from Ireland on this European research study. While the global world braces itself for tariff changes, the question is whether or not the political powers are socially constructing a future of neo-conservatism and authoritarianism or a future of deeper democracy, where the common good of society and the environment prevail. This in-between space gives us time to reflect, rethink and to remind ourselves that the etymology of ‘edu-cat-ion’ is to ‘lead out’ human potential with ‘care’.The musical selection today is an original song played on acoustic guitar by Ayyaz Mehmood, a composer and final year student in Performing Arts and World Music in the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick. Ayyaz is singing his own composition, a bilingual love song in Urdu and English called ‘Widhu’. 

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 14, co-hosts GeraldineSimmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome their special guest Associate Professor Niamh O’Meara, Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education and Deputy Director of EPI•STEM The National Centre for STEM Education in the School ofEducation, University of Limerick. In this episode Niamh shares her passion formathematics from her early school days, a passion that has nowadays found expression in Niamh’s research specialism, theorising mathematics teachers’ content knowledge in contemporary times. Here, Niamh also speaks to her researchinterest in related topics such as numeracy across the curriculum, improving adult numeracy and teaching mathematics for understanding and appreciation. Niamh’s extensive collection of research journalarticles and book chapters reflect this research specialism and also show the extent of Niamh’s networking and collaboration with mathematics education researchers in Ireland and internationally. Associate Professor Niamh O’Meara’s research makes adifference to mathematics pedagogy in the academic literature in Ireland and internationally. At the same time, Niamh is a regularly contributes to the public policy debate in Ireland in relation to mathematics education. Niamh isoften a guest on Newstalk and other radio talk shows, she writes articles for RTE Brainstorm and recently had an Opinion piece published in The Irish Times in relation to the current policy debate on Bonus Points for Higher LevelMathematics at Senior Cycle.The musical selection today is played by Tara Sagay.Tara is a composer and final year student in the BA in World Music in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick. Here Tara plays her own composition on flute, a classical waltz called “Afternoon Tea”.  

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 13, co-hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome their special guest Associate Professor Donal Canty, Deputy Head of the School of Education and Senior Lecturer in TechnologyEducation at the School of Education, University of Limerick.Donal shares the origins of his passion for educationand for technology education from his early life growing up in Kerry. Interestingly, Donal connects his current role as an academic in UL and his former role as a secondary school teacher with the importance of the ethic of care and relationship needed to play his best in a team and to have that positive commitment to the common good.Donal’s passion for teaching and research lies in his deep interest in pedagogy and assessment, and especially in teaching student teachers of technology education in the School of Education how to scaffold the formative assessment of their students. Here he talks about one of his recent publications examining the pedagogies behind that skill of formative assessment using an expansive framework provided by Xu & Brown in 2016. The advantage of this framework is that it provides an uplifting and holistic view ofassessment that includes affective care and cultural contexts. Donal published his paper with colleagues in UL, from the School of Education in UL and from the Faculty of Engineering and Informatics, Technological University of theShannon.The musical selection today is by Ayyaz Mehmood, afinal year student in the Performing Arts in World Music in The Irish World Academy of Music. Ayyaz is a singer and a songwriter. Here Ayyaz is playing acoustic guitar and singing one of his own compositions, entitled ‘Homelife’.  

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 12, co-hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome their special guest Associate Professor Jason Power, a Senior Lecturer in Engineering Education in the School of Education in the University of Limerick.Jason shares his passion for engineering and teaching engineering to student teachers who will become the next generation of STEM teachers. Jason’s research interest lies in the multidisciplinary spaces between engineering and the psychology of problem-solving and learning. His researchexcellence is in the area of theorising self-efficacy as a crucialpsychological self-belief system in engineering education. This research specialism runs throughout Jason’s research publications, his highly successful competitive grant awards and in his research team of six PhD students.Jason has a wide number of research collaborators across faculties at the University of Limerick and internationally. Jason shares his understanding of the big ideas that matter most in engineering education and his understanding that many complex problems today will need for their solution newly imagined multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches.The musical selection today is the Kilnamona Barn Dance from County Clare, played on fiddle by Dr. Avril McLoughlin. Avril is a Lecturer in Music Education in Mary Immaculate College in Limerick.

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 11, co-hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome their special guest Norma O’Brien, the Director of the Limerick Education Support Centre (LESC). Norma explains the ongoingeducative and partnership work of the centre, for example, through ongoing liaison with school principals in primary and post-primary schools in Limerick city and county and Tipperary, providing CPD for school leaders and teachers and workingwith community groups, museums, national and regional policymakers and local enterprises.Norma shares her vast expertise of working as a former scienceteacher and school leader in different schools in Ireland and London and how this has prepared her to live out her values and commitment in her current role as Director of the LESC. We speak about our three way partnership in the Eco-Village project for 2050, between LESC, the HUNT Museum and EPI•STEM. We are already in awe of the project work taking place in the six schools under the guidance of the teachers. We are viewing the projects using the lens of social justice and our understanding of that in terms of the greater good of Irishsociety and ecology. Norma has started a PhD in Educational Leadership in the University of Limerick with the guidance of her supervisors, Professor Patricia Mannix McNamara and Dr. Nicolaas Blom. We wish her every success in her future endeavours.The musical selection today is provided by Ayyaz Mehmood, afinal year student in the Performing Arts in World Music in The Irish World Academy of Music. Ayyaz is a singer and a songwriter. Here Ayyaz is playing acoustic guitar and singing one of his own compositions, entitled ‘Homelife’.

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 10, co-hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome their special guest Tara E. Ryan, a PhD student in Physics who now works in the ACTUATE LAB in the Department of Chemical Sciences in the Bernal Institute in the University of Limerick under the supervision of Professor Sarah Guerin. Tara is a UL graduate of a science teacher education degree and worked for one summer as a Research Assistant in EPI•STEM. During that time Tara produced CPD resources for teachers in chemistry, physics and earth and science that are now made available on the EPI•STEM ACADEMY OF STEM TEACHERS (see epistem website).Tara tells us of her love of science and physics from a young age and with the support and inspiration of her science teachers in St. Caimin’s Community School in Shannon, Co. Clare.Tara’s research is in the area of piezo electricity, working with crystals to generate electricity from mechanical compression. Her doctoral research involves a search for alternative and sustainable energy sources that can be safely disposed of at end of life. Tara shares how her study is taking place within the scientific community and how she presents at international conferences. Tara’s study won a prestigious prize with UL Engage in the UL Citizen’s Assembly in Limerick.The musical selection today is a waltz, called Tears, written by Gerry Holland in Cape Bretton in Canada and played on fiddle by Dr. Avril Mc Loughlin. Avril was a former lecturer in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities in UL and has recently been appointed as a Lecturer in Music Education in Mary Immaculate College in Limerick.www.epistem.ie

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 9, co-hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD welcome their special guest Dr. Avril Mc Loughlin, a researcher and lecturer in the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL. Avril shares her research interest in community music and music education and the important interplay between theory, practice and culture. We tease out some tensions and synergies between the Arts and Music and STEM subjects, and how that plays out in contested views of STEAM Education. While there are technical aspects to all disciplines we are also interested in the many aspects that are upstream of the instrumental. The Arts, Aesthetics and Ethics are central to our rationale for the STEAM Education design project of a Futuristic Sustainable Eco-Village in Ireland in 2050. The seven schools are engaging with the project in this cross-curricular, holistic, and humanising way for a care-based, social and planetary justice view. Looking anew at how to make that transformative difference to our shared life world. We are now signing off until the University of Limerick’s semester starts again in January 2025. We want to give a special word of thanks to Grzegorz Rogola, the senior multimedia designer in the UL digital Hub in the Kemmy Business School for all his expertise and support with the production. Our musical selection today is from Sarbik Guha, known by all as Biki and his Buddies. Biki is a singer, songwriter and acoustic guitarist and a second year PhD student in Arts Practice in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, UL. Biki sings his own composition ‘Hey There Fellow Dreamer’.

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 8, co-hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD read from a letter sent to EPI•STEM by the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins. The President congratulates everyone connected to the Transition Year STEAM Education project entitled ‘Design a Sustainable Eco-Village in Ireland in 2050’, especially the students in the seven schools in Limerick. Geraldine and Michelle chat today with special guest Associate Professor Olivia Fitzmaurice. Olivia is a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education in the School of Education, an Affiliate of EPI•STEM The National Centre for STEM Education and Academic Director of the Mathematics Learning Centre. Olivia shares her passion for researching and teaching mathematics and how she was persuaded to select math in her undergraduate degree through listening to Professor John O’Donoghue on a UL Open Day, one of the original founders of EPI•STEM The National Centre for STEM Education. Olivia’s research is interested in the social scientific problem of teaching math for understanding in the context of classrooms in Ireland, the deep learning and the multifaceted approach needed. Many of Olivia’s research studies draw from Usiskin’s model, which includes the relational, procedural, conceptual, cultural historical, representational and the necessity to make the vital link to real world applications. Professor Fitzmaurice shares her insights from a joint research study on a diversity of careers and how they were all connected in one way or another to math. Finally, Olivia concludes with a brief summary of the findings from her recent national policy report examining the delicate transition for students of math between primary school and post-primary school. The musical selection is the Kilnamona Barn Dance from County Clare and played on fiddle by Avril McLoughlin. Avril is a researcher and a lecturer in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Limerick.

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 7, co-hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD present an introduction to research studies in the Critical Sociology of Education, and in the Critical Sociology of STEM Education and STEAM Education. Research studies in the sociology of education seek to make meaning of the present in relation to human development, both from the individual and the societal perspective. Critical sociology of education studies, at masters and PhD level seek to interpret the present in order to change it in the direction of the greater good of society, care, social and planetary justice. Critical sociology studies in education therefore assume both a research and advocacy stance revealing a problem-posing view, for human emancipation and connectivity to the common good of a democratic society and sustainability of the planet. There is a need for the researcher to interrogate and to share their positioning and to have an identifiable theoretical framework for the study. Geraldine and Michelle share some theorists they like to think with, including Pierre Bourdieu, Paulo Freire, Kathleen Lynch, Stephen Ball and Maxine Greene. The musical selection is from Liam Broderick. Liam is a singer and guitarist from Abbeyfeale in Co. Limerick. Liam is a fourth year student in the BA in Irish Music in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in UL. Here Liam performs a beautiful rendition of the traditional song Siúil a Rún, which means ‘Walk my love’ or ‘Come with me my darling’ with origins in the late 17th century.

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 6, co-hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD chat with Associate Professor Regina Kelly. Regina is a Lecturer in Science Education, a Course Director of Initial Teacher Education science programmes in the School of the Education and an Affiliate of EPI•STEM The National Centre for STEM Education. Regina shares her passion for all things physics, looking at everyday phenomena to develop an understanding of physics concepts, moving away from just rote learning a set of formulas and definitions. Regina delves deeper into her research interest in the gender gap in STEM education, the lower participation rates of girls in senior cycle physics and of women in STEM related careers. We hear about WiSTEM2D and Regina’s research into the perceptions of female students enrolled in STEM courses at UL, a project funded at EPI•STEM by a local enterprise, Johnson & Johnson. Regina reminds us that while the ‘gender gap’ in the science disciplines tends to be viewed in terms of participation and performance, it is a complex multivariate problem and it is also important to be aware of more subtle, gender-based differences in the perceptions, experiences and aspirations of females in the science and STEM domain. The musical selection is from Ben King, a songwriter and guitarist from Nenagh in Co. Tipperary. Ben is a first year student, in the BA in World Music in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in UL. Here Ben performs his own Reggae composition called Warm.

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 5, co-hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD chat with Emma King from the Hunt Museum about the workshop the museum is providing for the STEAM Education partnership project with EPI•STEM and the Limerick Education Support Centre. Emma shares how cultural practices from the past can inspire TY students’ vision for sustainable living, including the museum’s Georgian architecture and its transformation from a customs house. We share how the scarcity of resources led to a culture of reuse, repair, and redesign—sharply contrasting with todays’ disposable society. Students’ consider Sybil Connolly’s iconic dresses, providing inspiration for sustainable fashion practices in preference to fast fashion. Finally, we explore past innovations such as the Shannon Hydroelectric Scheme at Ardnacrusha. Students will consider how Irish society was initially hesitant but now finds it difficult to imagine life without electricity. It points to the current crossroads in relation to sustainable energy solutions. The musical selection is from Eoghan Waters, a songwriter and guitarist from Clarina in Co. Limerick. Eoghan is a third year student in the BA in World Music in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in UL. Here Eoghan performs his own composition called Bad News.

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 4, co-hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD discuss aspects of the STEAM Education project. This Transition Year project is a partnership between EPI•STEM at UL, the Limerick Education Support Centre and the Hunt Museum in Limerick. Geraldine and Michelle speak to the holistic aims of Transition Year as a year to find oneself and to explore one’s talents as well as taking an active part in social justice and outreach projects that help make a difference to the greater good of society, the local environment and the planet. Transition Year was recently reviewed by Zoe Williams in The Guardian newspaper (16 Oct 2024) and showed how Irish actors, Cillian Murphy and Paul Mescal started acting during their TY years. Geraldine and Michelle discuss how the UN sustainable goal #17 addresses our TY partnership project. They share how SDG #10, aimed to reduce inequalities, can be incorporated within the project in nuanced and subtle ways that understand and recognise that ‘equality of condition’ is not the same for everyone. The musical selection is Gan Anam Jig, a lively traditional tune played on keyboard by Ciara Geaney from Dingle, an accomplished piano player and a second-year student in the BA in Irish Music in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Limerick.

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 3, co-hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD discuss the STEAM Education partnership project with Lauren O’Gorman, a Research Assistant in EPI•STEM and science teacher in the Crescent College Comprehensive S.J. in Limerick City. The project is a partnership between EPI•STEM, the Limerick Education Support Centre and the Hunt Museum. Lauren speaks to new inspiring public infrastructure in Italy and elsewhere that can help to inspire Ireland to make a successful green and equitable transition, for wellbeing, social justice, climate action and sustainability. Lauren shares some new information by Sophie Morris trending on Spotify about food labels, and ends with a chat about the school subject, Climate Action and Sustainability. The musical selection today is The Boyne Water, an arrangement by Martin Hayes and The Common Ground Ensemble played on fiddle by Eilidh Pope, an instrumentalist and composer and final year student in the BA in World Music in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Limerick.

In the EPI•STEM PODCAST Episode 2, co-hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD and Michelle Starr PhD chat about the upcoming STEAM Education partnership project, entitled ‘Design a Sustainable Eco-Village in Ireland in 2050’. This school-university-museum project involves a novel collaboration between the Limerick Education Support Centre, the Hunt Museum in Limerick City and EPI•STEM The National Centre for STEM Education at the School of Education, University of Limerick. Geraldine and Michelle share the names of the nine local schools that have registered on the project. They discuss the importance of being able to have the critical literacy and numeracy skills to read quantitative datacorrectly and to question its source when necessary. They clearly show how this issue speaks to social justice and equality. They briefly mention the emphasis on mathematics education and math teacher upskilling already underway in EPI•STEM and the UL School of Education. In relation to the green transition for climate justice, Geraldine and Michelle chat about an exciting project undertaken by local authorities in the Netherlands where they use green bicycle lanes to generate electricity from piezoelectric tiles. This conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy generates sufficient electricity to have charging stations and surveillance cameras along the cycle lane for healthy exercise and a safe experience. Geraldine and Michelle relate the project to a learning statement in the Junior Cycle Framework that values what it means to be an active citizen, with rights and responsibilities in local and wider contexts. They hope this episode will inspire the students and their teachers as they set about planning their pilot project. The musical selection today is a waltz, called Tears, written by Gerry Holland in Cape Bretton in Canada and played on fiddle by Avril McLoughlin who researches and lectures in The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Limerick.

Co-Hosts Geraldine Simmie PhD, Professor of STEM Education and Director of EPI-STEM & Michelle Starr PhD, Research Liaison Officer, EPI*STEM National Centre for STEM Education  Guest Katelyn O’Neill, Final Year Student Teacher, School of Education Local Musician Avril Mc Loughlin, Researcher and Lecturer, World Academy of Music & Dance, UL.  Recording & Editing Grzegorz Rogala,  Digital Hub, Kemmy Business School, UL