South East Technological University (SETU) recently hosted its 2026 Postgraduate Research Conference on the University’s Waterford campus, bringing together postgraduate researchers, academic staff and research leaders for a day of interdisciplinary research showcase, discussion and networking.
Held in the Health Sciences Building on SETU’s Cork Road campus, the annual conference celebrated the quality, diversity and impact of postgraduate research taking place across the University’s research community. This year’s conference theme, ‘Human Intelligence across Disciplines – SETU Postgraduate Students Showcasing the Power of the Human Brain’, highlighted the breadth of innovative and interdisciplinary research currently underway across SETU.
Opening the conference, Prof Marie Claire Van Hout, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Impact at SETU, welcomed attendees and highlighted the vital role postgraduate researchers play in shaping the future of the University and the wider research landscape.
Prof Van Hout spoke about the growing influence of artificial intelligence across society, while emphasising that human creativity, scientific endeavour and the desire to solve real-world problems remain irreplaceable qualities within research.
She encouraged postgraduate researchers to remain curious, to build connections across disciplines and to use the conference as an opportunity to network and engage with fellow researchers.
Prof Van Hout also noted that the poster presentations and oral presentations on display throughout the conference reflected the strong interdisciplinary research culture continuing to develop across SETU.
Research Across Disciplines
Following the opening address, postgraduate researchers presented their work across a series of parallel oral presentation sessions spanning humanities, health sciences, business, applied science, computing, technology and engineering. Research topics presented throughout the day reflected the diversity of SETU’s postgraduate research community, with projects addressing areas including sustainability, healthcare, artificial intelligence, engineering, sport science, education and social innovation.
Two poster presentation sessions and a networking lunch also provided attendees with opportunities to connect, exchange ideas and learn more about research taking place across the University.
Insights from the Postdoctoral Journey
The afternoon panel discussion featured postdoctoral researchers Dr Steve Daly, Dr Kira Murphy, Dr Orla Hayes and Dr Tapiwa Nyakauru, who shared insights and reflections on their own research journeys and experiences of postgraduate study.
The panel encouraged current postgraduate researchers to remain “professionally curious”, to embrace opportunities for collaboration across disciplines and to actively build professional networks with colleagues, academic staff and external partners.
They also reflected honestly on both the positive experiences and challenges associated with the PhD journey, encouraging attendees to recognise and celebrate the smaller milestones and achievements along the way, as well as the larger successes.
Building Research Community at SETU
Closing the conference, Prof Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, thanked the organising committee and the many SETU staff members who supported the delivery of the event.
She also thanked all postgraduate researchers who presented and attended throughout the day, acknowledging the importance of creating opportunities for researchers to come together and support one another.
Prof Campbell noted that the postgraduate research journey can at times feel isolating and emphasised the importance of events such as the SETU Postgraduate Research Conference in building community, celebrating achievement and encouraging collaboration across the University’s research ecosystem.
The conference was organised by a committee of SETU postgraduate researchers, supported by the Graduate Studies Office and the SETU Research, Innovation and Impact Office.
Conference Award Winners
Poster Presentation Awards
- 1st Place: Mohammadhassan Badihehaghdam
- 2nd Place: Krishna Reddy Kandula
- 3rd Place: Alejandra Vieyra-Ramirez
- Best Newcomer Presentation: Raysa Martins Hetherington
Oral Presentation Winners
- Oral Session 1 Winner: Sandra Donohoe (Humanities)
- Oral Session 2 Winner: Ciara Farrell (Applied Sciences & Business)
- Oral Session 3 Winner: Ellen Lavery (Health Sciences)
- Oral Session 4 Winner: Sadixa Baral (Computing & Technology)
- Oral Session 5 Winner: Keshav Acharya (Health Sciences)
- Oral Session 6 Winner: Blanaid Fogarty (Engineering)