All-Island Research Excellence Network (AIREN)

AIREN has hosted various workshops and events to support research professionals and foster collaboration.

AIREN Research Security Training (July 30, 2025)

AIREN delivered a comprehensive virtual training session on “Research Security: Safeguarding Research Integrity in an Evolving Threat Landscape” on July 30th, 2025, expertly led by Amanda Ferguson, Senior Director at Huron Consulting Group. The training equipped research professionals across the island of Ireland with essential knowledge to navigate the increasingly complex research security environment while maintaining academic freedom and international collaboration. Participants explored the current global threat landscape through real-world case studies from Australia, Canada, Germany, and the United States, examining how malign actors use cyber-attacks, talent programs, and intellectual property theft to access sensitive research. The training covered evolving global trends in research security, including the G7 Security and Integrity of the Global Research Ecosystem (SIGRE) Working Group’s shared priorities, recent policy developments across major research nations, and the specific regulatory frameworks affecting both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Practical sessions focused on implementing risk-based research security controls, including personnel screening, international collaboration vetting, cybersecurity protocols, and disclosure requirements, while emphasizing the critical balance between institutional safeguards and academic freedom. Interactive case studies reinforced key takeaways about robust cybersecurity implementation and explicit disclosure requirements for collaborative work, particularly in dual-use research areas. The session provided participants with actionable strategies for establishing institutional research security programs that protect research integrity without compromising the international partnerships essential for scientific innovation, reinforcing AIREN’s commitment to building research management capacity across the island of Ireland’s evolving research ecosystem.

AIREN Training on International Research Collaboration (May 22, 2025)

AIREN delivered a successful full-day virtual training session on “International Research Collaboration: Best Practices for Managing Cross-Border Partnerships” on May 22nd, 2025, expertly led by Jon Brookes. The comprehensive program covered cultural awareness, funding landscapes (including UKRI, Irish Research Council, Shared Island Initiative, NSRP, Horizon Europe, and PEACE PLUS), partnership development, and cross-border project management with IP considerations. Participants engaged with case studies through interactive exercises, gaining practical insights into the island of Ireland research environment and EU collaboration networks. The recorded session and shared materials reinforced AIREN’s commitment to building research management capacity across the island of Ireland.

From Insights to Impact: HEA North-South Research Programme Impact Workshop (November 28, 2024)
The recent AIREN-HEA workshop brought together researchers, research managers from across the island of  Ireland to explore the multifaceted nature of research impact. Participants delved into critical discussions about how research projects create meaningful change beyond traditional scientific outputs, highlighting the importance of stakeholder engagement, cross-border collaboration, and innovative impact measurement. The workshop underscored AIREN’s commitment to fostering collaborative research that creates tangible, wide-reaching impacts across multiple sectors and communities. A brief report of the workshop can be found here: AIREN-HEA Workshop Summary Report

Webinar: Mind Matters: Nurturing Mental Health and Well-being in Research Management and Administration Professionals Across the Island of Ireland (December 5, 2024)
This webinar aimed to address the challenges faced by research managers and administrators in higher education and research institutions across the island of Ireland. Strategies to promote well-being, manage stress, and create a supportive work environment were discussed in this event.

Webinar: Fostering Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in Research Management and Administration: A North-South Perspective (October 10, 2024)
This webinar explored how EDI principles can transform our work culture. Practical strategies to promote diversity in research teams and create inclusive administrative processes were discussed.

Research Security Across Borders (June 26, 2024)
This event examined how the rapidly evolving research security landscape in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the wider UK is impacting the work of RMAs. The UK’s Trusted Research agenda and Export Controls requirements in both jurisdictions were discussed.

What does the changing research and innovation landscape in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the wider UK mean for research managers and administrators? (December 6, 2023)
This event considered the implications of new developments in the Irish and UK research ecosystem for all-island collaborations and partnership building. The new Irish research and innovation funding agency ‘Taighde Éireann-Research Ireland’, the new Talent and Innovation Strategy for Ireland ‘Global Citizens 2023’, the PEACEPLUS Programme 2021-2027, and the UK’s Horizon Europe status were discussed. 

Future View of the Research Ecosystem & the Changes it Signals for Research Support Career Pathways (June 7, 2023)
Held in Newry, this in-person event explored the evolving role of research support professionals. Interactive sessions and discussions focused on career development and support needs within AIREN.

Confidence & Resilience Workshop for Personal & Professional Growth (February 15, 2023):
This virtual workshop, designed and facilitated by Sarah Travers of Bespoke Communications, addressed challenges such as impostor syndrome and provided strategies to build confidence and resilience among research support staff. A short report on the event is available here.

The inaugural AIREN Conference ‘Research For the Future’ (September 8, 2022):
Hosted at the Titanic Hotel Belfast, the conference featured keynote addresses, panel discussions, and networking opportunities for 157 delegates from various research and government organisations. The conference was opened with welcome addresses from Minister Gordon Lyons, MLA, Department of the Economy, Northern Ireland, and Minister Simon Harris, TD, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), Ireland. The Conference Programme, and a report on and the recording of the Conference are available here.

Supporting Postdoctoral and PhD Researcher (March 9, 2022):
This event focused on developing a supportive research culture for early-career researchers and discussed the role of research managers in this process.  A short report on the event is available here.

Research Impact (January 26, 2022):
This event focused on what is meant by ‘research impact’ and the growing drive and importance of delivering and communicating research with impact. Discussions covered the definition and importance of research impact, with advice on planning, capturing, and communicating research impact effectively. A short report on the event is available here.

North / South Workshop on Industry Academia Research Collaboration (December 8, 2021):
This event presented and shared perspectives from different stakeholders on optimising industry-academia research collaborations. A short report on the event is available here.

Developing Global Partnerships & Networks for Research Collaborations (October 10, 2021):
The event highlighted the benefits and strategies for forming global research partnerships. A short report on the event is available here.

Governance & Management of Large Scale Research Programmes / Centres (September 8, 2021):
In this event an overview of governance structures for large research centres and programmes was presented. A short report on the event is available here.

North / South Research Collaboration Opportunities (June 30, 2021):
The event provided insights into strategies supporting cross-border research collaboration, in particular the new €40m investment fund from the Shared Island Fund. A short report on the event is available here .

Organisational Structures for Research Management & Development (May 12, 2021):
The first AIREN event focused on cross-border collaboration and the importance of networking and mentoring for career development.