EVENTS

Irish Reproducibility Network:
Official Launch Event

University of Limerick | January 2026

The end of January marked the official launch of the Irish Reproducibility Network, a national, peer-led initiative that connects researchers, librarians, and research development professionals across Ireland. Rooted in collaboration, the network aims to strengthen reproducibility and transparency in research practices across Irish research bodies, supporting cultural and structural change toward more open and robust science.

The network is an all-island initiative, with involvement from members across 17 higher education institutions.

The launch event took place at the headquarters of Lero, the Research Ireland Centre for Software, at the University of Limerick. Over 65 participants registered for the event, representing a diverse audience of academic researchers from all career stages, librarians, and Research and Innovation Support staff.

Together, the programme highlighted the importance of community-driven initiatives, institutional engagement, and practical training in embedding open and reproducible research practices across disciplines.

Programme & Recordings

Network Origins — Dr Dermot Lynott

Dr. Dermot Lynott (Maynooth University), who initiated the Irish Reproducibility Network, shared reflections on his journey from failed replication attempts early in his career to building a national community dedicated to open and reproducible research. He outlined his ambition to position Ireland as a leader in reliable, transparent, and robust research, and thanked the individuals and organisations who supported this work, with particular acknowledgement of Dr. Martina Prendergast (LERO) for her key role in organising the launch event, and of Dr. Dounia Lakhzoum, co-organiser and the lead researcher on the TROPIC and TROPIC 2 open-research training projects.

Opening Remarks

Prof. Kevin Ryan — Vice President for Research and Innovation, University of Limerick

The event opened with a welcome address from Prof. Kevin Ryan, who reflected on the collective effort behind the creation of the Irish Reproducibility Network and the importance of grassroots initiatives in shaping research culture. He emphasized that public trust in research is both precious and fragile, underscoring the responsibility of universities and research institutions to foster transparency and integrity in their work. Prof. Ryan also highlighted the central roles of librarians, research development professionals, data stewards, and research software engineers in translating open research principles into everyday practice.

Keynote

Prof. Tim J. Newton — Dean of Research Culture, King’s College London

Open Research: An Essential Component of Research Culture

In a thought-provoking keynote, Prof. Tim J. Newton explored the central role of open research in shaping healthy and sustainable research cultures. Drawing on institutional experience, he presented a practical roadmap for embedding open research practices at scale, addressing leadership, incentives, training, infrastructure, and policy alignment. The talk provided valuable insights for institutions seeking to support meaningful cultural change and long-term impact.