Hidden Scientists/Hidden Creatives 2026
Hidden Scientists/Hidden Creatives is an annual student poster exhibition that showcases the often-overlooked contributions of women in STEM and Design. Now in its third year, the project challenges prevailing narratives about innovation and knowledge by addressing the underrepresentation and historical marginalisation of women in these fields. The exhibition highlights the essential yet frequently unseen roles women have played in advancing research, discovery, and design.
Science and design are often presented through a limited set of recognised figures. Hidden Scientists/Hidden Creatives seeks to address this imbalance by uncovering and sharing the stories of women whose work and contributions have been overlooked or undervalued.
Second-year students from TU973 BA (Hons) Design: Visual Communication at TU Dublin School of Art and Design have created this poster exhibition that examines the structural and cultural factors behind the historical invisibility of women’s contributions. Through research, storytelling, and creativity, the exhibition gives voice to these important achievements.
This project promotes visibility and recognition. Although many women have made foundational contributions to science and design, their work often remains hidden. By sharing these stories, the project broadens our understanding of innovation and creativity and who contributes to them.
By highlighting these contributions, Hidden Scientists/Hidden Creatives advocates for a more inclusive and accurate account of innovation and design that recognises the diversity of people and practices shaping progress, ensuring women’s contributions are acknowledged as central rather than peripheral.
The exhibition will run from Monday, 27th April to Friday, 1st May 2026 in the main Atrium, East Quad, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, TU Dublin Grangeorman Campus.
The exhibition will officially open at 2pm on Wednesday, 29th of April 2026
Project coordinators
Dr Con Kennedy - Lecturer in Visual Communication Design, TU Dublin School of Art and Design.
Dr Clare Wynne - Lecturer, School of Biological, Health and Sports Sciences, TU Dublin School of Biological, Health and Sports Sciences
Dr Steve Meaney - Head of Research Ethics and Integrity at TU Dublin
Professor Jesús María Frías Celayeta - Academic Leader, Sustainability and Health Research Hub
Dr Niamh Ann Kelly - Head of Art and Visual Culture, TU Dublin School of Art and Design.
This project is an ongoing collaboration between the TU Dublin School of Art and Design, the School of Biological, Health and Sports Sciences, the Sustainability and Research Hub, and the Research, Ethics, and Integrity Office. It is supported by the Office of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and the Faculty of Sciences and Health.
Each year, upon completion of the exhibition, posters are permanently housed in the Green Way Hub, growing the collection.
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UN SDGs
This project supports the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG 4 Quality Education
SDG 5 Gender Equality
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities