'The idea of the event was itself an experiment': Celebrating 30 years of Science Week

This month, Ireland will celebrate something remarkable – 30 years of Science Week. Three decades of harnessing the power of curiosity and collaboration to advance science in Ireland.

This year, we reflect on the Science Weeks that have come before, and the progress made in making science more accessible and engaging to the general public. What began as a small series of outreach events in 1995 has grown into one of the most vibrant and inclusive national celebrations in our calendar. Supported by Research Ireland, Science Week is now a platform for connection – a moment each year when communities across the country come together to explore how science has shaped and improved the lives we live today.

Over the 30 years of Science Week, many Cork institutions and organisations including University College Cork (UCC), Tyndall National Institute (TNI), Blackrock Castle Observatory, Munster Technological University (MTU), Marina Market, Lifetime Lab, Cork City Council and local libraries and schools have hosted Science Week activities. Cork communities have always been eager and engaged to learn more about science and its impact on the world around them.

The theme for Science Week 2025, ‘Then. Today. Tomorrow.’, captures that spirit perfectly. It’s a chance to look at how far we’ve come, to reflect on the science that defines our present, and to imagine what the future might hold for Ireland and the wider world.

Then – The Foundations of Discovery

Three decades ago, science in Ireland was not as prominent – either in academia or society – as it is today. The internet was a burgeoning technology and the human genome hadn’t yet been sequenced. Smart phones didn’t exist, and contactless payment technology hadn’t been adopted. Cancer survival rates were far lower.

The idea of a ‘Science Week’ was itself an experiment. Could science be demystified and become something that belonged not just in laboratories or universities, but in schools, theatres, libraries, and homes? The answer, resoundingly, has been yes.

Since then, countless volunteers, educators, researchers, and local organisers have helped to build an enduring legacy of engagement. They are the heroes and heartbeat of Science Week at the local and national level.

Today – A Nation of Curiosity

Today, science is everywhere. It shapes how we engage with our environment, create businesses, deliver healthcare, develop new technologies, and understand our place in the universe.

Through agencies like our own, the Government is ensuring that Ireland competes at an international level by backing excellence, talent and collaboration across and between our universities and enterprises. Strategic investment in world-class research, which is aligned with EU priorities and leveraged through programmes like Horizon Europe, helps to drive innovation, strengthen our competitiveness, and ensure high-value, sustainable growth.

Indeed, Research Ireland’s establishment last year as the national research and innovation agency is a reflection of the priority that government is placing on research across the full spectrum of disciplines. Societal and economic impact are at our core.

With its mature and impactful ecosystem of higher education institutions, research bodies and industry, and other partners, Cork has long been a true centre of excellence and collaboration on scientific research.

Celebrating the local connection with research, Science Week 2025 sees many great events taking place in Cork. Having worked with renowned spectacle theatre company Macnas last year, we are thrilled that it will make its Cork premiere with a specially curated indoor performance at Marina Market. An installation inspired by the performance will remain at Marina Market, alongside the Science Week-funded SpaceFest.

Cork-based projects have received almost €80,000 in government funding for their Science Week initiatives this year. And, with over 20 events happening across Cork this Science Week – from otter spotters, music and cultural connections with the science of trees, to tours of an observatory and building a rocket – there is something for everyone.

Tomorrow – The Questions Ahead

As we look to the future, science is central to addressing the great questions of our time: how we tackle climate change, harness the power of artificial intelligence responsibly, and ensure that discoveries in health, energy, and technology benefit everyone.

A better tomorrow is supported by Research Ireland through a current investment in over 280 research and innovation projects in UCC, TNI and MTU valued at over €200 million, providing for current and future talent, exciting discoveries and impactful outcomes.

The ‘Tomorrow’ of Science Week is not just about new inventions – it’s about imagination and inclusion. It’s about who gets to participate in shaping that better future. By bringing science into schools, public spaces, and even markets and theatres, Science Week aims to make discovery accessible to all and for a multitude of voices to shape the future.

Then. Today. Tomorrow.

Science doesn’t stand still. It evolves, challenges, and connects us. Over the past three decades, Science Week has helped Ireland build a culture of curiosity – one that values knowledge, creativity, and collaboration. As we enter the next phase of that Science Week journey, we do so with the same ambition that sparked the very first Science Week: to make science part of the fabric of our lives, every day.

Between now and November 16, I encourage people of all ages and abilities to be a part of Science Week – to discover an event or listen to podcast that appeals to them. You may well be surprised at what sparks your curiosity and allows you to imagine what comes next.

• Science Week, coordinated by Research Ireland, runs from November 9 to 16, with 14 festivals and hundreds of events taking place nationwide. See scienceweek.ie for more information and a list of events.

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