Research Village
Drop into the Research Village in Trinity's Front Square between 2pm and 8pm on European Researchers’ Night (26th September) to browse the demos, get stuck in to some hands-on activities, and chat with our researchers about everything from manuscripts to batteries to coding and much more!
Current Chemistry Investigators (CCI) - Do You want to Make a Battery?
Chemistry isn’t just about medicine and health, it’s also a central part of a more sustainable future for everyone. Come and sit down with our trained researchers from the Trinity School of Chemistry to “spark conversations” in our hugely popular 5 minute “micro workshop”. You will get to make your own working battery from common household items and then use it to light up a small LED (light emitting diode). It’s a simple, quick and easy hands-on chemistry activity that you can also do at home. Our researchers will guide you through the process and give you an LED to take away so you can try it again later. You can also chat to our researchers about their work and ask them questions about any area of chemistry.
Guess the Gizmo
Put your curiosity to the test and come see how well you know your science gear! At this interactive stall, you’ll see a mysterious line-up of real scientific tools, some familiar and some bizarre. Can you work out what each piece of equipment is actually used for? Challenge your friends or take it on solo, how far can your scientific intuition take you?
Combating Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotic resistance and the rapid spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria threaten global health on an unprecedented scale. Our lab is dedicated to tackling this crisis at its molecular roots by discovering structures of bacterial proteins that drive resistance. Through structural biology and functional analysis, we can learn the mechanisms that bacteria use to survive, guiding the rational design of next-generation antibiotics.
DNAwesome!
Learn how to extract DNA from strawberries in this simple hands-on experiment!
Visit the Fagel House and discover their collections
Discover the fascinating story of the Fagel House, an elegant 18th-century Dutch residence once home to the owners of the Fagel Collection. Through a blend of physical and digital models, you’ll explore the spaces they lived in and the remarkable objects they collected.
Join us as researchers share how they’ve used the books preserved at Trinity College Dublin to trace the journey of these collections—now scattered across some of the world’s most prestigious museums, and even tucked away in unexpected places like an Irish pub in the heart of The Hague.
Feeling the invisible: Exploring the Surfaces with Mechanical Probes
Are you ready to discover and feel the invisible world of surfaces at billionth of a meter? Drop by and experience how nanoscientists see and study such small scales that even an optical microscope cannot help. You will witness the operations of mechanical probes while also trying to match surfaces and materials by using your hands as nanomechanical probes. At the end, have a friendly car race on different "flat" surfaces and learn how we engineer the surfaces to control the friction.
Quantum Sensing for Biological Applications
Imagine a sensor so tiny it fits inside a cell, yet powerful enough to reveal life’s hidden details. That’s the promise of quantum sensors, which use the strange rules of quantum physics to detect signals far too faint for ordinary devices. Some are as small as a single atom, offering unmatched precision and resolution. While quantum computers and communication steal the spotlight, quantum sensing is quietly transforming science. Early breakthroughs include brain imaging and nanoscale MRI at the level of single proteins and cells—paving the way for a true quantum leap in medicine and biology.
Immune cells: Meet Your Inner Superheroes
Did you know that our bodies have their own superheroes that protect us from illness? Come and learn about immune cells and what happens to these cells when we get sick. We’ll have a selfie station, a memory card game and more immunology-themed fun. Suitable for all ages.
Radiotherapy Reimagined: Understanding Sex Differences, Supporting AYA Patients, and Celebrating Creative Education and Care
Curious about why we’re all a bit different when it comes to fighting cancer? Discover how sex differences shape cancer research and radiotherapy, and why tailored care matters for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients. Explore the RISE Project (Reflective Insights into Student Experience), where radiation therapy students share their clinical experiences through art, collage, and even Minecraft. Join us for an evening that blends research, creativity, and compassion — reimagining radiotherapy and celebrating the human side of healthcare
Sustainable, Healthy Trinity
Visit the Healthy Trinity stand to meet with researchers working a wide variety of topics ranging from the impact how we move through our cities impacts our health, sustainable agriculture, food systems, to air quality.
AMBER: Advanced Materials for a Better World
From sustainable materials to personalised medicine, AMBER researchers are tackling some of today’s biggest challenges. Come meet our materials scientists and bioengineers and hear how they’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible to make the world a better place.
Taking our Drugs for a Swim – Dissolution of Ducks
Any medicine you swallow has to dissolve in your body fluids before it can enter the bloodstream and reach its target. The challenge? Around three quarters of new drug candidates don’t dissolve well in water — and often never make it to where they’re needed most.
At our stand, you’ll discover how our research group is making medicines better by making them more “water-friendly.” Through playful activities, you’ll see why solubility matters, try out techniques used in research and industry, and even recognise some tricks you’ve been using in everyday life!
