This podcast episode, hosted by Rob O’Connor, features Michael Quinn, Lecturer in Culinary Arts at SETU and second year Culinary Arts students Joni Hunt and Kealen Voogt, who recently travelled to Croatia to participate in the EU-CONEXUS Student Research Hub on Sustainable Food Systems. 

In this episode, the trio reflect on the research to education project in the Dalmatian region including visits to Mount Biokovo and Makarska, where they connected culinary heritage, local food systems and sustainable practices. Listeners will hear how Joni and Kealen describe their hands-on activities from visiting a family-run olive-oil mill, local fishing culture and working alongside a Michelin-starred chef and how these experiences reshaped their understanding of the “farm-to-fork” and the value of community-centred food cultures. Michael reflects on how this kind of “living lab” learning model positions students as active participants in sustainability, not just observers.

Accompanied by Bridget Cheasty, Communications Officer for EU-CONEXUS at SETU, the podcast gives listeners an insight into how practical learning experiences through the EU-CONEXUS Student Research Hubs are making a real impact. 

Follow Up Links

SETU students explore sustainable food systems in Zadar (news item) https://www.setu.ie/news/setu-students-explore-sustainable-food-systems-in-zadar

SETU’s EU-CONEXUS Microsite https://euconexus.setu.ie

EU-CONEXUS main website https://www.eu-conexus.eu/en/

EU-CONEXUS Explained (Podcast) https://pod.fo/e/2abdad

Michael Quinn (LinkedIn profile) https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-quinn-aa129968/

Bridget Cheasty (LinkedIn profile) https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-cheasty-876896126/

Rob O’Connor (LinkedIn profile) https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertoconnorirl/

This is the second episode shining a light on a unique new course running in SETU. The Certificate in Personal Development is a two-year Level 6 course, which aims to offer adults with intellectual disability an opportunity to experience university life and become students in higher education in the same way their siblings and typical adult peers do.

As year one of the course draws to a close, course leader Catherine Kelly-Mason and lecturers Deirdre Barry and Vicki Anderson joined me to discuss the importance of the course and what it means to them professionally and personally. Our previous episode featured 3 students were invited to to the podcast studio to reflect on their first year as university students, as well as some content from the celebration day held to acknowledge their achievements to date.

Link to the course homepage.

This is the first of 2 episodes shining a light on a unique new course running in SETU. The Certificate in Personal Development is a two-year Level 6 course, which aims to offer adults with intellectual disability an opportunity to experience university life and become students in higher education in the same way their siblings and typical adult peers do.

As year one of the drew to a close, a celebration day was held and 3 students were invited to to the podcast studio to reflect on what the course means to them. A second episode will feature staff discussing the importance of the course and their reflections from year one.

Link to course page

In this episode, Rob O’Connor from South East Technological University speaks with learners and a lecturer from the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Technology programme at SETU. The course is designed for professionals working in the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors who want to deepen their knowledge and progress their careers.

Guests include Abi Ryan (Sanofi), Thomas Phelan (Amgen), and Dr Eleanor Owens (SETU), who share their perspectives on the value of the programme, the challenges of returning to education, and how flexible, part-time study can fit into busy professional lives.

Whether you're working in operations, quality, or lab support—or considering a move into the sector—this episode gives a real-world look at how structured learning and practical experience can come together to support meaningful career development.

Useful links:

• SETU GMP and Technology Programme Overview:
  https://www.setu.ie/courses/bsc-hons-in-good-manufacturing-practice-technology
• Direct Application Information (Part-time Programmes at SETU):
  https://www.setu.ie/study/part-time-study
• Contact Bernadette Whelan (Programme Leader):
  Email: [email protected]

EU-CONEXUS is the pan-European university for Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability. In this podcast, we discuss what that means, explore some of the offerings from EU-CONEXUS, and highlight the benefits for both faculty and students at SETU.

The panel consists of SETU staff members involved with EU-CONEXUS:

• Michelle Maher – Lecturer in Sustainability
• Mike Kinsella – Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Science
• Bridget Cheasty – EUConexus Communication and Administrative Officer

The podcast is hosted by Rob O’Connor from SETU.

Additional Info:

• EU-CONEXUS main website https://www.eu-conexus.eu
• EU-CONEXUS micro sitehttps://euconexus.setu.ie/
• EU-CONEXUS introductory video https://youtu.be/SuZiEGNIjFI  

Staff Profiles:

• Michelle Maher https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-maher-57ab414b/
• Mike Kinsella https://www.setu.ie/staff/mike-kinsella
• Bridget Cheasty https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-cheasty-876896126/
• Rob O’Connor https://www.setu.ie/staff/robert-oconnor

In this episode, we provide an in-depth exploration of the laboratory science programmes available at South East Technological University (SETU) Waterford. This discussion is particularly relevant for first-year Science students, especially those considering their options for specialisation. Additionally, the episode will be of interest to prospective students—whether school leavers, mature students, or individuals exploring science as a career path. Finally, it serves as a resource for anyone with a general interest in the scientific disciplines.

Our panel for this episode features four Programme

- Elaine Duggan – Programme Leader for Food Science and Innovation

- Nabla Kennedy – Programme Leader for Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science

- Joe Murphy – Programme Leader for Physics for Modern

- Eleanor Owens – Programme Leader for Pharmaceutical Science

The podcast is hosted by Rob O’Connor from

Discussion Highlights

A high-level overview of the laboratory science programmes at SETU

Insights into the individual specialisms: Physics, Pharmaceutical

Exploration of the laboratory-based aspects of these programmes and their practical applications

Career pathways and employment opportunities for graduates in these fields

Broader discussions on the scientific disciplines and the skills essential for success in these areas

While the episode focuses on SETU-specific programmes, much of the discussion is universally applicable to anyone with an interest in science.

Additional Resources

For any questions or further information, we encourage you to reach out to our panel members. Links to their staff profiles

Staff Profiles

Elaine Duggan - https://www.setu.ie/staff/elaine-duggan

Nabla Kennedy – https://www.setu.ie/staff/nabla-kennedy

Joe Murphy – https://www.setu.ie/staff/joe-murphy

Eleanor Owens – https://www.setu.ie/staff/eleanor-owens

Course Links

BSc (Hons) Science (Common Entry) [SE501] - https://www.setu.ie/courses/bachelor-of-science-hons-common-entry

BSc Science (General) [SE512] - https://www.setu.ie/courses/bsc-in-science-general

Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science - https://www.setu.ie/courses/bsc-hons-in-molecular-biology-with-biopharmaceutical-science

Food Science & Innovation - https://www.setu.ie/courses/bsc-hons-in-food-science-innovation

Physics for Modern Technology - https://www.setu.ie/courses/bsc-hons-in-physics-for-modern-technology

Pharmaceutical Science - https://www.setu.ie/courses/bsc-hons-in-pharmaceutical-science

A number of senior male academics gathered together to discuss gender equality as a men's issue. They talked about what holds men back from getting involved in gender equality initiatives, their own personal journeys and reflections and finally what men can do to improve gender equality at their respective universities. The podcast is hosted by Ross Woods, the Head of the Centre of Excellence for EDI at the Higher Education Authority. The panel is comprised of:

For more information on the HEA's policy regarding gender equality, please visit hea.ie/policy/gender 

For more information on SETU, please visit setu.ie

Trailer for SETU podcast