The Institute serves as coordinator of the UBIAS Intersectoral Working Group. This working group unites global Institutes of Advanced Study from the network to explore the advantages of cross-sector collaboration, as well as public and private partnerships for network institutes and their partners. The group also fosters knowledge exchange, research collaboration, networking opportunities, and reflective discussions among its members.
The UCD Institute for Discovery is an active member of the (opens in a new window)University-Based Institutes for Advanced Study (UBIAS) Network. The UBIAS network connects 47 institutes worldwide, fostering collaboration and intellectual exchange across borders and disciplines. Established to promote structured interaction among its members, UBIAS supports joint initiatives such as biennial conferences and collaborative programs between partner institutes.
UBIAS member Institutes are Institutes of Advanced Study associated with or embedded within a university, and actively contribute to the international academic culture and to the major scientific achievements of their home university. Through a range of fellowship opportunities for both junior and senior researchers, UBIAS Institutes bring together exceptional scholars from diverse academic, cultural, and disciplinary backgrounds. This dynamic exchange creates a vibrant environment for cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research and innovation.
UBIAS Programs and Events
As part of the UBIAS network aimed at fostering global scientific exchange, the Institute launched the UBIAS Technical Staff Exchange Program enabling reciprocal technical staff exchanges from network institutions to work across borders, sharing knowledge, resources, and innovative ideas. The Institute successfully partnered with the Institute of Advanced Transdisciplinary Studies (IEAT), Minais Gerais University Brasil in 2024. Read more.
UBIAS member institutes agree on a ‘Topic of the Year’ (ToY), a topic of global importance that is explored through different activities and formats.
The current UBIAS ToY is Human - Non Human. The Institute will host a number of events related to this topic.
Past events include Automation, robots and care by Prof. Nao Kodate, on our Human Health Impact Technology Series, in October 2024.
Upcoming: UBIAS Directors‘ Global Conference 2025
The 8th UBIAS Directors‘ Conference will take place from November 4 - 6 2025 at the University of Ghana, Accra.
The UCD Institute for Discovery team were conducted an invited visit to the Nagoya University Institute for Advanced Research, Japan to attend the UBIAS Directors Conference, Oct 31 - Nov 2nd 2023. During the conference, the Institute co-hosted a session on AI and Healthcare with the aim to develop a collaboration across the network. Read more.
The Institute was delighted to host Dr Katie Reynolds of (opens in a new window)IAS, University of Warwick and Vicky Strudwick of (opens in a new window)University of Warwick at UCD in February 2024 and to connect them with our UCD Research Culture Team, for a fabulous discussion on research culture and postdoctoral supports. The Institute hosted a working lunch and round table meeting to share expertise, discuss programs and potential future collaborations between our Universities.
NAiXUS, the Network for Artificial Intelligence, Knowledge and Sustainable Development is a global research network connecting experts at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Serving as a central meeting point for AI and sustainability, NAiXUS fosters collaboration between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to address shared global challenges.
By 2030, AI will directly impact over 8.5 billion people, influencing every sector and ecosystem. Research published in Nature shows AI could help achieve 79% of the SDGs — enabling progress on 134 targets — while also posing potential risks to 59 targets.
Recognising that sustainable development challenges vary by region, NAiXUS links AI research communities worldwide to exchange solutions, case studies, skills, and expertise. The network’s mission is to accelerate responsible AI innovation that advances sustainability, while ensuring global, cross-regional knowledge sharing for maximum impact.