Submit your ideas before the end of November to help inspire future research and policy.
When you think about your future or your family's future in Ireland, what do you picture? Do you see more of a focus on outdoor facilities as a result of the pandemic and our changing lifestyle? Or maybe you see Ireland doubling down on its scientific research for women's health?
Whatever you picture, now is the time to have your say as part of the government-led Creating Our Future campaign.
Creating Our Future is a national brainstorm that brings us all into the conversation around addressing opportunities, challenges and hopes for the future in this country. The aim of the campaign is to ensure that the direction of research in this country is informed by the people of Ireland
So whether you have thoughts about the future of healthcare, education, the arts, diversity and inclusion or more, you can submit your ideas to be reviewed via the dedicated online portal which is open until the end of November.
Brought forward by Minister Simon Harris TD, this is the first time Ireland has run such a campaign but there have been similar exercises conducted in other European countries, perhaps most notably in the Netherlands.
Need some inspiration? Here are some of the ideas that have already been submitted by the public:
- Ireland needs more research into Women’s Health. Given how neglected this is globally and in Ireland. It would be quite the trailblazer approach to set up a focused research group on women’s health: endometriosis, maternal healthcare, pregnancy and birth, breast cancer, menopause etc. There is so much that is neglected, Ireland would boost its profile globally as a leader to do such a thing. Also, women need a break!
- For me and probably many other wheelchair users I would like more research on material science so that I can buy nice winter jackets without the risk of them being destroyed very quickly.
- More research is needed into the economic, societal, and regional benefits of a fishing community such as Killybegs. Along with more research into improved fishing infrastructure for fishing communities to allow them to compete and optimise natural resources. Researchers should also investigate the impact of fishing quotas on communities.
Over the past few months hundreds of conversations have already taken place between researchers and members of the public at live and virtual events around the country.
You still have time to get involved by joining virtual events with campaign Ambassadors Shane O’Donnell (Clare Hurler and Microbiologist) , Eimear O’Neill (Home School Hub and RTE Today presenter) and Emilie Pine (Professor of Modern Drama UCD, and author of Notes to Self).
Details of these activities events are on the website – CreatingOurFuture.ie.
What will Creating Our Future result in?
Every idea that is submitted will be compiled and analysed by independent experts from a variety of different backgrounds. The public inputs received will then be shaped into a report for Government, along with expert commentary and recommendations.
Once Government has reviewed and considered the report, there are a number of possible outcomes, such as researchers using the report to inform their future projects; the information gathered could inform Ireland's policies on research or innovation; and the findings could also result in additional Government funding being made available in certain areas.
Over the past year, the pandemic has shown us the importance of coming together as a community and a country, and it has also shown us the true value of combined thinking and research and innovation in our lives.
Ireland has long been lauded as 'the land of saints and scholars' and the Creating Our Future campaign wants to make sure this wisdom continues to inform and shape our country for many years to come.
