Minister announces investment in Lero research to improve Covid-19 contact tracing

A project led by Lero, the SFI Research Centre for Software, at University of Limerick is one of 11 new COVID-19 research and innovation projects to receive investment, it was announced today. Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD announced a total investment of €1.4 million in 11 projects under the SFI-coordinated research...

Five Practices in the Grocery Sector to Become a New Retail Norm

Opinion: Even if retail managers have come up with plans to overcome short-term disruptions, they need to begin medium- and long-term planning to help their business recover and adapt to the new, post-Covid-19 retail landscape. First published by ShelfLife.ie, on Tuesday, 26 May, 2020. Many grocery retailers have experienced severe challenges in recent months, coping...

Unravelling the puzzle of how to work from home

Opinion: Varying environments and disruption of communication require firms to think differently Published by the Irish Times, on Friday, 15 May, 2020. After the great industrial revolution, our brains have been programmed to the routine of waking up in the morning, rushing to the office, coming back home in the evening and spending the rest...

Driverless cars could play a part in preventing future pandemics

Opinion: Driverless cars and automotive technology could play a key role in managing future pandemics. Published by Irish Tech News, on Tuesday, 11 May, 2020.   Highly automated vehicles could offer an effective way to identify infectious people at the earliest stage possible and thereby help to protect the most vulnerable in our society.China, where...

Contact-tracing app must be limited and transparent

While well-intentioned, the HSE’s smartphone proposal raises many questions and could have serious consequences for privacy protection Published by The Business Post, Friday, 01 May 2020 The Irish government is seeking to manage a way out of lockdown that will allow at least some of the population to return to work, lessening the economic impact...

A beginner’s guide to getting your business online

Lero and Maynooth University PhD student Artem Bielozorov outlines the first five steps to quickly build an online business presence. Published on SiliconRepublic.com, Thursday, 23 Apr 2020 Regardless how big or robust your business is, establishing a strong online presence has never been more important. It allows businesses to engage and interact with a wider audience,...

Public survey on social media activity during Covid-19

Researchers at Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software, and the Open University have launched a survey to understand how Irish people are interacting online via social media during the Covid-19 period of physical distancing. The survey which hopes to attract participants from Ireland and Northern Ireland can be accessed here. The study explores social behaviour...

How video games can beat social isolation during the lockdown

Opinion: video games offer a quick, convenient and easy way to be social, competitive and to challenge our brains Published on RTE, Wednesday, 8 Apr 2020 By Niall Ramsbottom, Adam Toth and Mark Campbell, University of Limerick During this period of quarantine and physical distancing, it is important for us all to keep in touch with those closest to us...

Dr Martina Prendergast appointed as international funding manager

Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software, has appointed an International Funding Manager. The strategic appointment is key to achieving the centre’s goals of securing international investment in its leading-edge research. Hosted by the University of Limerick (UL) Lero brings together expert software teams from universities and institutes of technology across Ireland in...

SFI, IRC and HRB statement on COVID-19

The Health Research Board (HRB), Irish Research Council (IRC) and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) are fully aware that the current situation regarding the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is having a significant impact on the research and innovation community, both in Ireland and internationally. We anticipate that the precise nature of these impacts may evolve over the...