A new Policy Brief Series is bringing together research from across Atlantic Technological University (ATU) for policymakers, industry, researchers and community stakeholders.
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has launched the inaugural volume of its Research-Informed, Industry-Linked Policy Brief Series, bringing together 23 policy briefs authored by ATU researchers to inform policy and practice.
‘From Research to Impact: ATU Research-Informed, Industry-Linked Policy Brief Series – Academic Year 2025/2026’ is the first annual compilation of the series. Developed by the ATU Research Coordinator Team, it communicates peer-reviewed research in concise, accessible formats for non-academic audiences.
The publication features contributions from researchers across ATU’s four faculties. Each policy brief is published individually through Zenodo, the European Commission-supported open research repository, creating a standalone citable research output that strengthens researchers’ academic profiles while extending the visibility and accessibility of their work.
Featured briefs explore topics including trustworthy AI in agriculture, nutrition support for cancer survivors, concussion recovery in Gaelic games, and virtual reality tools for rehabilitation. Others examine environmental monitoring, visitor experiences at archaeological sites, and online culture and heritage events for people living with dementia.
Dr Orla Flynn, ATU President, said:
“ATU’s Strategic Plan places a strong emphasis on engaged research, and our Policy Brief Series is a clear example of that commitment. It brings together research from across the university in a format that helps it reach audiences beyond academia, from policymakers and industry to communities and practitioners.”
Dr Brendan Jennings, Chief Officer Research, Innovation & Engagement at ATU, said:
“The Policy Brief Series demonstrates ATU’s commitment to ensuring that excellent research reaches the people and organisations who can use it. By translating research into accessible summaries, the series provides researchers with an effective way to communicate peer-reviewed research, while strengthening opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration.”
Dr Shane Conway, Editorial Coordinator of the publication, commented:
“Research impact depends not only on generating new knowledge, but also on ensuring that it contributes to evidence-informed policy and practice. Policy briefs help bridge the gap between academic research and real-world decision-making, enabling peer-reviewed evidence to better inform policy, professional practice and industry innovation.”
Collectively, the series demonstrates the diversity of research across ATU and its contribution to addressing regional, national and global challenges. It also reinforces the University’s commitment to ensuring that publicly funded research is communicated in ways that maximise its visibility, relevance and societal impact.
The initiative reflects a European and national emphasis on research impact and knowledge mobilisation. It aligns with work led by the European Research Executive Agency (REA) to strengthen the communication, dissemination and exploitation of publicly funded research, while also supporting the Government of Ireland’s Three Pillars of Policy Development Framework for evidence-informed policymaking.
The publication also aligns with the sectoral strengths and opportunity areas identified for the Northern and Western Region under Ireland’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3), while contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Download Volume 1 of the ATU Research-Informed, Industry-Linked Policy Brief Series here.
The ATU Research-Informed, Industry-Linked Policy Brief Series forms part of ATU’s wider commitment to strengthening research communication, engagement and impact through the emerging ATU Research Impact Toolkit and is supported by the RISE@ATU programme. RISE@ATU is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021–2027.