Research Centres

Munster Technological University

Group of scientific researchers in lab using a computer
Group of scientific researchers in lab using a computer

Research Centres

Research is a core dimension of activity at the Munster Technological University. In collaboration with a wide range of organisations, including Higher Education Institutions, Industry, State and Voluntary Bodies, MTU is involved in research that contributes to supporting:

  • Regional and National Industry.
  • The National and EU knowledge economy and Innovation Base.
  • Enhanced quality of life within Irish society.
  • Quality research postgraduate education.
  • Quality undergraduate and taught postgraduate teaching and learning.
MTU student doing river water testing

Research for our Future

Watch some of the sustainability and circular-economy projects being undertaken at MTU

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Research Centres

Each of the Research Centres and Groups listed below are specialists in their area of expertise and thrive on solving research problems which make a difference.

Activity in the BioExplore Research Group focuses on bio-analysis, diagnostics, antimicrobial screening, molecular epidemiology, bioinformatics, peptide engineering, protein purification and mass spectrometry, medical microbiology, veterinary microbiology, antibiotic resistance, biocontrol, food fermentation, food pathogens, animal production, food production, cell biology, bacterial viruses and animal health.

Website: BioExplore

Email: aidan.coffey@mtu.ie      

The Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development or (CEED) at Munster Technological University Kerry is rebranding to the Cantillon Academy at MTU. It's being named after the pioneering 18th century economist from Ballyheigue, Richard Cantillon.

Email: breda.odwyer@mtu.ie

EU Projects Website: iEER 

Activity in the CAPPA Research Centre focuses on generating and harnessing light, impacting a wide range of areas such as telecommunications, gas sensing, food and medical imaging.

Website: CAPPA                      

Email: cappa@mtu.ie   

Circular Economy for Regenerative Tourism (CERT) is a collaborative project funded under the Technological Universities Transfer Fund programme (TUTF). The primary objective of this proposal is to build research capacity in sustainable, innovative rural tourism experiences underpinned by the constructs of the Circular Economy (CE) and regenerative tourism in the Departments of Hotel, Culinary Arts & Tourism (Kerry) and Tourism and Hospitality (Cork).


Website:
Circular Economy for Regenerative Tourism (CERT)


Current Projects

CE4RT

DIBEST


For further details contact:

Aisling Ward (email)

Sophie Price (email)

Research activity in the Clean Technology Centre (CTC) is focused on providing innovative and effective resource efficiency solutions since 1992

Website: CTC    

Email: ctc.cork@mtu.ie

MTU Cork School of Music research involves investigating technical, creative, historical, and pedagogical aspects of musical practices and musical repertoires.

Website: CSM      

Email: csm.info@cit.ie 

MTU Crawford College of Art & Design research takes place across the disciplines of Fine Art, Applied Art, Art Education, Art Therapy, Visual Design and Media Communications.

Website: Crawford Research        

Email: crawford.research@mtu.ie         

The EdTech and E-learning Research Group focuses on pedagogically-orientated research into the application of new and emerging technologies to facilitate learning at all levels using techniques such as learning analytics, game-based learning, gamification, Open Educational Resources (OERs) and the use of augmented and virtual reality for learning.

Website: Technology Enhanced Learning      

Email: edtech@mtu.ie  

The Halpin Research and Innovation Centre undertakes maritime research, with the aim of promoting the development of a vibrant and dynamic maritime sector, capable of realising its full potential in contributing to the sustainable economic, social and environmental development of the island of Ireland and that of our international partners, for the benefit of all.

Website: Halpin Centre

Email: halpininfo@nmci.ie

Research at the Hincks Centre for Entrepreneurship Excellence focuses on entrepreneurship in all its forms, contributing to theory, practice and policy, aiming to understand how entrepreneurship contributes to economic growth, competitiveness, social wellbeing, and underpins entrepreneurship training and education at MTU.

Website: Hincks Centre 

Email: HincksCentre@mtu.ie

Activity in the MeSSO (Mechanical Energy System Simulation Optimisation) Research Group focuses on optimising the performance and design of mechanical and energy systems.

Website: MeSSO

Email: michaeld.murphy@mtu.ie      

Activity in the NIMBUS Research Centre addresses Cyberphysical Systems, the Internet of Things (IoT) and the digitalisation of industry and society. NIMBUS is MTU’s largest research centre and a recognised international centre.

Website: NIMBUS Research Centre 

Email: nimbus@mtu.ie 

Activity in the NutRI Research Group focuses on delivering innovative solutions to global challenges in food, nutrition and health through direct engagement with industry and society through three key areas; Food Innovation, Food Microbiology and Public Health Nutrition.

Website: NutRI Research Group  

Email: aoife.mccarthy@mtu.ie 

    

Research activity in Process innovation Engineering Research Group (PiERG) focuses on providing solutions to the Pharma Engineering sector through its combined expertise in the development of predictive models and industrial pharmaceutical processing.

Website: PiERG

Email: sandra.lenihan@mtu.ie

Activity in the RÍOMH Research Group focuses on investigation, design & development of secure, scalable communication infrastructures; abstractions; and algorithms that optimise the delivery of services and allocate, secure and provision resources end-to-end.

Website: RÍOMH Research Group            

Email: donna.oshea@mtu.ie       

Enterprise Engagement and Experiential Learning (E3LG) explores engagement interactions between higher education institutions and external organisations, with a particular focus on experiential learning.

Website: E3L Research Group

Email: irene.sheridan@mtu.ie

The HEx-Spo Research Group focuses on inspiring meaningful, impactful research in the areas of Health, Exercise and Sport Science, aimed at (i) tackling societal health problems such as obesity and physical inactivity across the lifespan, and (ii) examining sport-related issues in the coach education, performance analysis and skill acquisition domains.

Email: con.burns@mtu.ie

IMaR is a commercially focused, state of the art, Research Centre and a Technology Gateway within the Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway Network. The centre consists of two research strands: Intelligent Mechatronics and Radio Frequency Identification and Internet of Things. Both strands are focused on the delivery of innovative solutions to industry and enterprise, via the development and integration of improved operational efficiencies or new product development.

Website: IMaR 

Email: tom.fitzmaurice@mtu.ie

The project is a collaboration between the Munster Technological University and the University of Limerick.

Through the REEdI project, MTU has developed a innovate engineering qualification. This unique qualification sees industry and academia collaborate to deliver the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, the first of its kind qualification in Ireland.

Website: https://reedi.ie/

 

Shannon ABC is a commercially focused, state of the art, Research Centre and a Technology Gateway within the Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway Network. The centre is a collaboration between Munster Technological University and the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest. Shannon ABC responds to the challenges of Biotech, Food and Life Science Industries through the sustainable development of viable and cost-effective processes and products from bio-resources.

Website: Shannon ABC

Email: tim.yeomans@mtu.ie

Activity in the Space and Astronomy Research and Policy Group (SARP) develops and uses instruments for astronomy and space with both terrestrial and space applications, provides advice to industry on opportunities in the space domain, advocates and supports the development of national space policy.

Website: Blackrock Castle Observatory             

Email: niall.smith@bco.ie

Activity in the Sustainable Infrastructure Research & Innovation Group (SIRIG) promotes sustainability through multidisciplinary infrastructure related research in the context of the environmental, engineering, digitisation (incl. BIM), and built environments

Website: SIRIG          

Email: sirigcork@mtu.ie 

The V-LINC Research Group is at the cutting edge of economic research, using a specially designed methodology and associated software to map, analyse and evaluate linkages and relationships between different actors within industry clusters and networks to inform policy, develop targeted initiatives, and strengthen regional competitiveness.

Website: V-LINC Research Group         

Email: john.hobbs@mtu.ie

Activity in the SIGMA Research Group focuses on applying Artificial Intelligence and computational techniques to enable next generation digital engagement, across video, speech, text and immersive technologies, and support inclusion, accountability, and appropriate controls.

[Note: This group is currently undergoing a name change and new website address.]

 

Email: Haithem.afli@mtu.ie

UNESCO Chair research leads a global partnership for social change. The full and effective inclusion of persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others and their full enjoyment of physical education, sport, fitness and recreation, without discrimination, underpins MTU’s UNESCO Chair research and activities.

Website: UNESCO Chair

Email: catherine.carty@mtu.ie

MTU Research in numbers

Research is a core dimension of activity at the Munster Technological University, in collaboration with a wide range of organisations, including Higher Education Institutions, Industry, State and Voluntary Bodies.

Student using VR Headset
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Research Projects.
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MTU R&I expenditure in 2020/21.
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Active Researcher Staff.

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