The Minister for Research and Innovation, Sean Sherlock T.D., last night delivered the keynote address at the annual SFI Science Summit 2012 taking place over the course of two days in Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
Minister Sherlock is also participating in one of today’s sessions at the SFI Summit, which features a discussion on the implementation of the Government’s Research Prioritisation policy.
Attended by over 250 members of Ireland’s science and research community, this year’s event was titled Sharing Science and focused on science communications, the implementation of research prioritisation, and SFI’s new strategic document - Agenda 2020 - which Minister Sherlock launched yesterday along with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton T.D.
Minister Sherlock said "The Government is committed to ensuring that research and innovation remains centre stage in our economic and jobs strategy, as a means of underpinning economic recovery. It is critical that we recognise the challenges we currently face right across our public system, but equally critical that we identify the opportunities and the means to seize them".
The Minister added "2013 will be a really important year for the further development of Ireland’s research system. We will begin the implementation of research prioritisation in earnest, we will also enact legislation in early 2013 to further extend SFIs remit into the applied research arena, and we shall engage closely with various stakeholders towards developing a new national Science Strategy."
Minister Sherlock finished by saying "Given our forthcoming Presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2013, Ireland now has a tremendous opportunity to showcase its strong research capabilities to the international community.
The Minister added "I call on our scientific community to continue their excellent work and to ensure that we work collectively to ensure that we put our best foot forward for Ireland’s economic and societal benefit. I believe our Presidency presents Ireland with the opportunity to meet the grand societal challenges set out by the European Commission."
Also speaking at the Summit, Professor Mark Ferguson, Director General of SFI, commented, "The SFI Science Summit offers us the opportunity each year to bring together the best minds in research and innovation and discuss the future of science in Ireland. Importantly, it also provides us with a platform to recognise the outstanding achievements and commitment of those within the science and research community in Ireland."
Keynote speakers at the SFI Science Summit included multiple award-winning Baroness Susan Greenfield and Director of External Affairs at the Science Museum Group, Dr. Roger Highfield. Panel discussions, workshops and elevator pitches all took place over the two-day Summit, and in addition to the Researcher of the Year announcement, Minister Sherlock also announced the recipient of the SFI Research Image Competition 2012 – Rohit Mishra, CRANN, TCD for his image Asteroid Belt.