Describe yourself in three words.

Curious, Collaborative, Sociable.

What is your job title?

Research Manager.

How would you summarise what you do for a living?

I try to figure out how trends, policies or behaviours impact people and communities and then communicate it in such a way that it will help people (especially decision-makers) make sense of it.

What is your role in Bridges 5.0?

I help bring together all the key findings from different parts of the project and make sure they get used by companies, policy makers and networks. My role is a mix of organising conferences, producing policy briefs, building a community around Industry 5.0 and co-editing a book that sums up everything we have learned.

Did you ever think life would take you down this path?

I had no idea this would be the path I would go down, but in a lot of ways it makes sense because I’m curious about how things work, making connections and figuring out what it all means. I’m happy life brought me here.

Please identify two or three career highlights.

Having the opportunity to travel to places I would have never otherwise visited and to meet people from different cultures and perspectives.

What would you have been if you career hadn’t led you here?

Documentary film maker.

What’s the best thing about your job?

The best thing about being a researcher is being the first to uncover new insights – getting to see the big picture before anyone else and then figuring out how to make it useful. The most satisfying part is when those insights click with the people you’re working with, which you hope can result in making a difference.

How do you spend your leisure time?

Having children means I get to spend a lot of time organising their school, social and sport activities! You will also find me in the kitchen trying out new recipes and meal planning for the week, bingeing on documentaries (whether on TV or podcasts) and I try to make time to go running.

What makes you happy?

Being outdoors. Especially when the evenings get longer and the days get warmer in Spring.

Tell me something about yourself that would surprise your colleagues?

When I left school I went to work at a wine importers before going to university and got to sample some great wines at the age of just 18!

Finally, can you share a few personal details?

I’ve spent more time living outside of my native Ireland than I did living there. I left to do my PhD which brought me to Italy and the U.S. before moving to Belgium.

You can read more partner profiles here.