Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) was officially established in January 2019 through the merger of Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Tallaght, and Institute of Technology Blanchardstown. It is Ireland’s first technological university, with over 30,000 students and 3,000 staff members.
The university operates in various locations across Dublin and offers a wide range of programs, including apprenticeships, ordinary degrees, honours degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral studies. TU Dublin’s research focuses on innovation and technology to address global challenges through goal-oriented, globally competitive, and nationally relevant research. TU Dublin is also a partner in the European University of Technology (EUt+) Alliance, which brings together 9 technological universities around Europe. The researchers and innovators of TU Dublin are pioneers in science and technology discovery, play active roles in informing policy and standards, and contribute to the creative life of Ireland. With an international outlook, TU Dublin welcomes students and staff from around the world, while its strong international partnerships provide opportunities for student and staff exchange programs, major cross-collaboration research projects, and employment opportunities.
TU Dublin has a research community of more than 600 early and advanced-stage researchers across its Institutes and Research Centres, including more than 50 full-time postdoctoral researchers. TU Dublin’s strategic vision is to create a better world together. The TU Dublin strategic plan includes a target of increasing external engagement with stakeholders by 10%. The TU Dublin R+I Strategy includes four key strategic areas: Environment and Culture; Engagement and Impact; Collaboration and Partnership; Nurturing Talent.
TU Dublin brings experience from 3 previous EU projects on building skills and capacity for community engagement in research and learning/science shop projects – PERARES (2010-14), EnRRICH (2015-18) and CIRCLET (2019-22). It is also currently a partner in the international Magna Charta Observatory research project on the Responsive and Responsible University, and on the all-island Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) Ignite project, funded by the Health Research Board.
Team members
Dr Catherine Bates is Research Engagement Lead in TU Dublin, supporting researchers and societal partners to collaborate on projects for societal impact, to address the Sustainable Development Goals. Previously Catherine managed TU Dublin’s Programme for Students Learning With Communities from 2008-23, promoting and supporting Community Engaged Research and Learning within the university curriculum. Catherine has coordinated TU Dublin’s involvement in four EU-funded projects supporting community engagement in research: TOGETHERNESS (2025-8), CIRCLET (2019-22), EnRRICH (2015-8) and PERARES (2010-4). She is also a Co-PI for the Health Research Board-funded all-island Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) Ignite Network. Catherine previously managed the university’s Access and Civic Engagement Office for a year, lectured in design theory and history for ten years, and worked as an adult education coordinator in the community sector. She studied design for her degree and master’s, and did her PhD in sociology. Catherine has published and presented on community engaged research and learning, nationally and internationally.
contact: catherine.bates[at]tudublin.ie
Ms Zoryana Pshyk is a Community Engaged Research Officer at TU Dublin. In her role, she works on development, implementation, facilitation and evaluation of the TOGETHERNESS project and other initiatives to support engaged research collaboration between TU Dublin staff, statutory partners, community organisations and marginalised and minority community groups. She contributes to the development and planned delivery of the Microcredential on CER.
Zoryana’s background is in adult education, participatory action research and facilitation. She has lectured and facilitated across higher education, community education and Erasmus+ contexts. In her previous roles, she developed outreach, mentoring and community engagement initiatives supporting under-represented groups in accessing and participating in community and higher education. Zoryana has published and presented on critical pedagogy, refugee experience, participation, and access to education. She is pursuing her PhD in Adult and Community Education, researching trauma-informed education, inclusion and belonging for displaced learners.
contact: zoryana.pshyk[at]tudublin.ie