{"id":834,"date":"2025-11-10T10:28:28","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T10:28:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/?p=834"},"modified":"2025-11-11T10:54:47","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T10:54:47","slug":"research-week-2025-at-maynooth-university","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/?p=834","title":{"rendered":"Research Week 2025 at Maynooth University"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Data Stories team was involved in two events during the Maynooth University Research Week.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maynooth Sparks 2025: Celebrating Early Career Research\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This year&#8217;s Research Week featured Maynooth Sparks 2025, an inspiring event bringing together the university\u2019s early career research community on Tuesday 21<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">st<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> October.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Behind the scenes, Maynooth postdoc liaison <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Juliette Davret<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> worked closely with the event organisers, especially Noreen Lacey (from the Research Development Office &#8211; RDO), to coordinate the event. Juliette helped shape the panel discussion, bringing in <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Rob Kitchin<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> to share his perspective on ERC funding and supervising a research team.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-835 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Workshop-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Workshop-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Workshop-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Workshop-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Workshop-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Workshop-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Workshop-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The morning began with a series of 6-minute talks in which postdocs showcased diverse research, from energy justice and cosmology simulations to language models and healthcare innovation. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The following panel discussion on \u201cFunding opportunities &amp; building research teams\u201d was facilitated by Patrick Boyle (RDO) and featured expert insights from the following speakers:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Eilish Lynch on career pathways<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dr Abeer Eshra and Dr Niamh Wycherley on Research Ireland Pathway Experiences\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dr Guilia Gaggioni on Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowships\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Prof <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Rob Kitchin<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> on ERC funding and the supervisor&#8217;s perspective<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-836 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Panel.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1378\" height=\"919\" srcset=\"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Panel.jpeg 1378w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Panel-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Panel-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Panel-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1378px) 100vw, 1378px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The talks emphasised the importance of tailoring grant application to align with what the specific funder values, clearly articulating the intellectual contribution, feasibility and broader impact of the idea. A strong proposal not only presets a solid concept but also communicates its significance and potential payoff in accessible, compelling terms. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The event concluded with a networking lunch, allowing researchers to connect with colleagues and RDO staff \u2013 the perfect end to a morning of knowledge sharing and community building! <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Daft.ie for Noobs: Gaming Ireland&#8217;s property market by spoofing property websites<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:299}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">On the Thursday of Research Week, members of the Data Stories team hosted a 1-hour interactive workshop titled <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Daft.ie for Noobs: Gaming Ireland\u2019s Property Market by Spoofing Property Websites<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">. The talk was informed by the work of Oliver Dawkins, Ella Harris, Carla Maria Kayanan and Hannah Mumby who are working on a research project called \u2018Commodity Narratives\u2019. The event offered a behind-the-scenes look at how this team of creatives and researchers have been collaborating to interrogate the following themes in relation to the housing crisis in Ireland: a) the commodification of housing, b) the role of capitalism in shaping housing desires (and futures), and c) the use of digital games as a medium testing assumptions and gaining better understanding of peoples lived experiences.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:242}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Prior to the workshop, the team sent a survey to participants inquiring into their personal housing journeys. Answers provided insight into frustrations that people deal with when navigating housing in Ireland. These insights also serve to inform the iterative process of website and game development and help to ensure that the work we produce is meaningful and relevant to an Irish audience.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:242}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Example question: What (if anything) feels absurd about navigating housing in Ireland?<\/span> <span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:242}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:242}\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-837 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Word_Cloud.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"2104\" height=\"662\" srcset=\"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Word_Cloud.png 2104w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Word_Cloud-300x94.png 300w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Word_Cloud-1024x322.png 1024w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Word_Cloud-768x242.png 768w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Word_Cloud-1536x483.png 1536w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Word_Cloud-2048x644.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2104px) 100vw, 2104px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The aim of the workshop was twofold. We wanted to introduce the work to the Maynooth University community, but we also hoped to test our work in progress to receive feedback. Starting with a short presentation, the team described how creative experiments \u2014 from data scraping to gamified website prototypes \u2014 seek to expose the absurdities embedded the property market and the logics that underpin it. Following the introduction, Olly showcased early technical experiments underpinning the spoof property site which is modelled on familiar sites like Daft.ie and MyHome.ie. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-848 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Webdsite_Page_Header.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1278\" height=\"662\" srcset=\"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Webdsite_Page_Header.png 1278w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Webdsite_Page_Header-300x155.png 300w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Webdsite_Page_Header-1024x530.png 1024w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Webdsite_Page_Header-768x398.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1278px) 100vw, 1278px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Participants were then invited to interact with our website, which was embedded with games and various hidden Easter eggs to find which satirise different aspects of Ireland\u2019s property market. Links to pages which dump you on the Craigslist for shared rooms are just one example, mirroring the bitter experience of many student renters who are unable to secure more private accommodation.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:242}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-841 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Demonstration1_Cropped-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1617\" srcset=\"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Demonstration1_Cropped-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Demonstration1_Cropped-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Demonstration1_Cropped-1024x647.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Demonstration1_Cropped-768x485.jpg 768w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Demonstration1_Cropped-1536x970.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Demonstration1_Cropped-2048x1293.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The work is still in progress; including the research informing the webpage, design coherence and mechanics. We hope to deliver a website that sufficiently mirrors popular property websites in Ireland but that the user journey is slightly off, surprising and ultimately jarring so as to provoke reflection on the commodification of housing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Of course, we also want site visitors to enjoy the satire and have fun!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:242}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-843 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Demonstration2_Cropped-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1981\" srcset=\"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Demonstration2_Cropped-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Demonstration2_Cropped-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Demonstration2_Cropped-1024x792.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Demonstration2_Cropped-768x594.jpg 768w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Demonstration2_Cropped-1536x1189.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/RW_Demonstration2_Cropped-2048x1585.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">To learn more about the early stages of the Commodity Narratives case study and the iterative creative process, visit the Data Stories website previous post: <a href=\"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/?p=753\">How do commodity narratives influence housing desires and life journeys?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Data Stories team was involved in two events during the Maynooth University Research Week.\u00a0\u00a0 Maynooth Sparks 2025: Celebrating Early Career Research\u00a0\u00a0 This year&#8217;s Research Week featured Maynooth Sparks 2025, an inspiring event bringing together the university\u2019s early career research community on Tuesday 21st October.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Behind the scenes, Maynooth postdoc liaison Juliette Davret worked closely &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/?p=834\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Research Week 2025 at Maynooth University<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-834","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/834","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=834"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/834\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":851,"href":"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/834\/revisions\/851"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=834"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=834"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/datastories.maynoothuniversity.ie\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=834"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}