Conway Fellows receive sustainable laboratory certifications under Research Ireland-led programme

Conway Fellows, Profs. Brian Rodriguez and Rory Johnson received sustainable laboratory certifications for their research laboratory spaces under a Research Ireland-led programme announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD.

They were among thirteen UCD research spaces to be awarded sustainable laboratory certifications by Research Ireland for implementing best-in-class, sustainable research practices. In total, 72 sustainable laboratory certifications were awarded in 12 higher education institutions across Ireland.

Pictured (l-r): Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD; Prof. Emmanuelle Graciet, Faculty of Science & Engineering, Maynooth University; and Dr Ciarán Seoighe, Deputy CEO, Research Ireland.

Making the certifications announcement, Minister Lawless said “Research involves more than exploration and discovery; it also demands attention to how we conduct our work and the impact it has on our communities and our planet. Research carries with it a responsibility to operate with integrity, to use resources wisely, and to ensure our pursuit of knowledge does not come at an unsustainable cost to the world around us. I warmly congratulate all the laboratory teams recognised today for their commitment to greener practices. This initiative, led by Research Ireland, marks a significant and encouraging step in placing sustainability at the centre of our national research system and signals Ireland’s intent to lead by example on climate-conscious innovation.” 

Professor Tasman Crowe, UCD’s Vice President for Sustainability said, “The 13 new certifications bring our total up to 30, across a range of STEM discipline areas and including several for large groups of labs, such as the UCD Conway Institute and the UCD Charles Institute.

“As part of our overall plan to contribute leadership for sustainability, we are committed to further certifications in the future. Our advancement in this area benefits greatly from the work of the UCD Sustainable Research Initiative, which has been active for three years now and is progressively improving the sustainability of our research activities.”

Awardee, Professor Brian Rodriguez leads the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) research group based in a specialised laboratory in UCD Conway Institute. He said, “Taking part in the certification gave our team a valuable opportunity to reflect on how we work and how we can be more sustainable. 

“It encouraged open discussions about energy use, waste, and practical changes we could make. It empowered us to develop our own protocols based on best practices and strengthened our connection to broader institutional sustainability efforts. This approach ensured lasting buy-in and a renewed commitment to environmentally responsible research.”

Associate Professor Rory Johnson and his research team are located in the GOLD Lab in UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science.

The new certifications reflect the aims of the UCD Sustainability Plan to 2030 and the broader Breaking Boundaries Strategy to 2030 in realising UCD as a ‘living lab’, where sustainability is practised, taught and researched in real time by students, staff and the wider community. 

In partnership with Impact Laboratories and My Green Lab, Research Ireland’s Sustainable Laboratory Certification Pilot Programme was launched in October 2023, with the aim of bringing best-in-class, sustainable research practices into Irish research laboratories.

Marking what was a global first, Research Ireland became the first national research funding body in the world to spearhead a certification process in laboratory sustainability. Research Ireland-funded researchers were invited to participate, and the initiative generated significant interest nationwide.

Welcoming the announcement, Dr Ciarán Seoighe, Deputy CEO at Research Ireland and the agency’s Climate Champion, commented: “Research Ireland wishes to congratulate and thank all those involved in the pilot. Research Ireland will continue to work closely with the research community nationally and internationally as we expand our climate action activities.”

James Connolly, CEO, My Green Lab and Impact Laboratories, stated: “At My Green Lab, our mission is to foster a global culture of sustainability within the scientific community, transforming our industry into a world leader in environmental stewardship." 

UCD Conway Institute received My Green Lab certification in December 2024 for efforts to reduce the environmental impact of the four open plan research laboratory spaces and successful completion of the certification programme led by Eimear Ryan, Chief Technical Officer and her laboratory wing management team; Dr Tracy Mullen, Philippa Kavanagh and Dr Sofia Tsiropoulou with 65 PI-led research teams.