Saoirse supports the development and implementation of strategies that embed engagement and impact across SETU’s research activities. Through the design and delivery of training, workshops, and tailored support, she helps to build institutional capacity for engaged research and impact. In this role, she coordinates the University’s Impact Case Study Competition, which highlights impactful research and its real-world benefits. This extends to the tracking and analysis of research influence on policy, enabling researchers to demonstrate and strengthen their contributions to evidence-informed decision-making at regional, national, and international levels.
Saoirse leads institutional benchmarking, reporting, and planning for research impact, working closely with academic staff to integrate impact pathways and develop robust Theories of Change for research projects. A central focus of her work is supporting meaningful stakeholder engagement and Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) practices, ensuring that research is co-created and grounded in the needs and priorities of endusers, communities, policymakers, and other key stakeholders.
Cummins, S., Finn, J.A., Richards, K.G., Lanigan, G.J., Grange, G., Brophy, C., Cardenas, L.M., Misselbrook, T.H., Reynolds, C.K. and Krol, D.J., 2021. Beneficial effects of multi-species mixtures on N2O emissions from intensively managed grassland swards. Science of the Total Environment, 792, p.148163.
Cummins, S., Lanigan, G.J., Richards, K.G., Boland, T.M., Kirwan, S.F., Smith, P.E. and Waters, S.M., 2022. Solutions to enteric methane abatement in Ireland. Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research, 61(2), pp.353-371.
Alexandropoulos, E., Anestis, V., Dragoni, F., Hansen, A., Cummins, S., O’Brien, D., Amon, B. and Bartzanas, T., 2023. Decision support systems based on gaseous emissions and their impact on the sustainability assessment at the livestock farm level: an evaluation from the user’s side. Sustainability, 15(17), p.13041.
