Despite the severe challenges of Covid-19, the research and innovation system in Ireland continues to grow in exciting new directions. This article takes a broad view of the main current themes and developments in Irish research. It also provides context for the research chapter’s individual articles and looks at how structure and policy changes will affect the research landscape in the coming years.

Today’s societal problems are complex and multifaceted. Developing solutions demands a variety of disciplinary and practitioner approaches and perspectives. SHAPE-ID brings to the fore the importance of arts, humanities, and social sciences (AHSS) in addressing these challenges in a more holistic and socially credible manner. The project seeks to improve pathways for inter- and transdisciplinary research, particularly between AHSS and STEM disciplines.

The climate and biodiversity crises that threaten our way of life are fundamentally connected and operate beyond national borders. Solutions require fair and just societal transition and transformation. Large-scale, collaborative research across disciplines in both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland is needed to develop joined-up solutions to the crises.

Mark Emmerson
School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Global Food Security, Belfast

Derek Jackson
School of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Ulster University (Coleraine campus)

Peter Thorne
ICARUS, Department of Geography, NUI Maynooth

Murray Hitzman
iCRAG, University College Dublin

Anna Davies
Nature+: Trinity Centre for Biodiversity & Sustainable Nature-based Solutions, Trinity College Dublin

This article identifies the importance of strengthening the connections between research and policy in an Irish context, and reviews the development of this national conversation during 2021. It considers a range of measures for making progress and highlights the recommendations of the Research for Public Policy roadmap recently published by the Irish Research Council and the Royal Irish Academy as identifying important pathways for future action.

The creative and cultural industries in Ireland have been the subject of policy discussion, but definitions remain inconsistent. This article reviews existing contributions, the evidence for the industries’ economic significance, and the potential for further research.

Covid-19 has heightened the urgency for greater scientific cooperation and open dissemination of research. This article reflects on drivers and challenges associated with the open research agenda and calls for strategic and collective action to realise a more effective, equitable, and open research system.

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCAs) provide a vital source of funding for bottom-up research through innovative training projects anchored on international mobility. Ireland has been extremely successful in the MSCAs throughout Horizon 2020. The advent of Horizon Europe presents an opportunity for Ireland to aim even higher in this programme by supporting research actors, across all disciplines and sectors, and enabling more talent to follow in the footsteps of Madame Curie.

Postgraduate research (PGR) students are a vital group in national research and innovation in Ireland. Every two years, PGR StudentSurvey.ie invites responses from master’s-by-research and PhD students about their experiences of higher education in Ireland, including their academic, personal, and social development. This article summarises the latest survey results and provides a brief analysis of the findings.