Welcome to our ‘Member in the Spotlight’ series, where we showcase the research focuses and work of our members. We hope these profiles support you in getting to know our members and to identify themes in your work and focuses where you may be able to collaborate with colleagues at member institutions.

Introducing…Atlantic Technological University

Who are Atlantic Technological University?

A founding member of the World Technology Universities Network (via former designation ‘Connacht Ulster Alliance’) Atlantic Technological University is a multi-campus technological university, based in the northwest of Ireland in Europe, with campuses in Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal. (Campus locations)

ATU is also a member of the EU GREEN European University Alliance and has international partners across North and South America and Asia. As such, the university celebrates a diverse student and staff population.

ATU has a rich history of academic and research excellence, founded on practice-orientated study which addresses major global and societal challenges. As a university, they are dedicated to enabling sustainable economic, social, and cultural development in its surrounding regions.

Atlantic Technological University – Sligo Campus

What are their research focuses?

With faculties of Business, Science and Health, Engineering and Technology, and Creative Arts and Education, ATU delivers varied research. They have a number of research centres focused on exciting, thematic work.

The Marine and Freshwater Research Centre (MFRC) unites researchers and students to enhance the management of marine and freshwater ecosystems worldwide. The research centre has origins dating back to 1980s, and with a custom-built research space and laboratories, they have expanded their work to carry out research projects with agencies and industry, providing expertise and advice to national and international bodies.

Recently, in partnership with Dublin City University, ATU researchers launched a project looking at how marine microorganisms can improve health and wellbeing. The project focuses on bacteria and the diverse chemicals found in marine microorganisms and their pharmacological properties.

ATU researchers are working on a project which looks at using ‘Smart Pebbles’, placed on beaches by citizens and the public, to monitor coastal areas. These pebbles will be 3D scanned and tracked over time to monitor shoreline variations and beach morphology.

ATU has a number of research centres:

National Technology Gateways:

Wireless Sensor Applied Research Laboratory Gateway (WiSAR)
Precision Engineering and Manufacturing
Medical and Engineering Technologies Gateway (MET)

Industry Innovation Collaborations:

ATU and the WTUN

Dr Orla Flynn, President, Atlantic Technological University

General Board Member: Dr Orla Flynn, President (www.atu.ie/about/governance/president)

Operational Board Member: Dr Ciarán Ó hAnnracháin, ATU Project Manager (www.wtu-n.net/members/atlantic-technological-university/)

ATU is active member of the WTUN, contributing to the design and delivery of a number of activities. This includes participation in several WTUN Exchange Programme visits, both as host and funding recipient. Past themes include: Nanomaterials; Health; Computing; ThermoFluids and Energy; Materials Engineering; Engineering Management; and Business Sustainability.

Via sustained engagement with the WTUN, they have forged wide reaching and sustained relationships with other member institutions which has lead to activities such as University of Bradford colleague Dr Colins Imoh, who guest lectured at ATU on peace and conflict resolution.

If you want to learn more about ATU, you can view their Member Profile or read some recent stories we have shared in our news roundups about their work:

ATU secures funding to research energy efficiency in Traveller communities.
Researchers at ATU are working to revolutionise energy production by developing low cost materials to facilitate hydrogen production.
ATU launches Local Energy Agencies in Peripheral Regions (LEAP) project to bring together experts and stakeholders to discuss strategies for energy retrofitting and achieving Ireland’s Climate Action Plan targets.
Professor Suresh Pillai’s Nano2H2 project which addresses energy production, waste management and environmental protection to promote circular economy.
Dr Marion McAfee’s ground-breaking 3D printing research and its impact on the world of personalised medicine, advancing healthcare solutions for the ageing population.
ATU is participating in an initiative to introduce higher education courses for students with intellectual disabilities, marking a stride towards equal opportunities and inclusivity in higher education.