TU Dublin Researchers Awarded Research Ireland Fellowships to Inform Government Policy
Two researchers from Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) have been awarded funding under the 2026 Research Ireland Public Service Fellowship programme, which brings academic expertise into Government Departments and public sector organisations to help address issues of national importance.
The two projects will see TU Dublin researchers work with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Health, applying research expertise to areas of national policy, environmental sustainability and consumer protection.
Dr Dympna O’Sullivan, Director of Research, Innovation and External Engagement at TU Dublin, said:
These fellowships demonstrate the value of bringing research expertise directly into the public sector to help address real-world challenges. By working in partnership with Government Departments, our researchers can contribute evidence and insights that support better-informed policy decisions and deliver meaningful benefits for society. We are delighted to see TU Dublin's expertise contributing to important national priorities, from environmental sustainability and agricultural policy to public health and consumer protection.
Using the National Fertiliser Database to Inform Policy on Climate and Environmental Targets - Dr Israa Ali Amro, Assistant Lecturer in the School of Business Technology, Retail and Supply Chain, TU Dublin
Working with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Israa Ali Amro will investigate how Ireland's National Fertiliser Database can be used to better understand and forecast fertiliser sales and usage, identify environmental risks and inform future policy decisions.
This project will investigate how the National Fertiliser Database (NFD) can be used to analyse and forecast fertiliser use and sale trends, identify environmental risks, and inform evidence-based interventions. The project encompasses a comprehensive analysis of national fertiliser sales/use and their environmental and policy implications through trend analysis, policy relevance, and scenario modelling and forecasting, including the uptake of inhibited urea versus calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), regional variation in lime application, environmental outcomes, Climate Action Plan 2024 targets, CAP requirements, and the effects of policy and market drivers. The project will apply advanced statistical, forecasting and geospatial techniques to generate insights that DAFM can use in regulation, policy design, and negotiations at EU level. Expected outputs include technical reports on fertiliser use, trends, and predictions, reports to assist monitoring the Climate Action Plan, an interim report providing early findings on fertiliser sales trends, and the optional development of a prototype geographic dashboard.
The project has been awarded €67,043.
Dietary Supplements in Ireland: Regulatory Oversight and Consumer Protection - Dr Maame Ekua Manful, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, TU Dublin
Maame Ekua Manful will work with the Department of Health to examine the regulation, marketing and use of dietary supplements in Ireland, with a particular focus on consumer protection and the evidence supporting health claims.
This project aims to critically assess the landscape of dietary supplements in Ireland, focusing on use of unauthorised and improperly used health claims, the validity of health claims, consumer value for money, scientific evidence supporting supplement use, and the effectiveness of current regulation, advertising, marketing and labelling practices. The project will review and analyse health claims permitted under Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006 and Directive 2002/46/EC, evaluate the scientific evidence supporting commonly used supplements, assess consumer spending trends and perceptions of value for money, review the social media influence of supplementation of regulated and unregulated products, examine the regulatory framework under Irish and EU law, identify gaps in public understanding and industry compliance, and provide recommendations for improved oversight and public communication from evidence-based data. Expected outputs include a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations, a consumer-focused guide on interpreting supplement labels and claims, contributions to Departmental policy development and public health messaging, and a potential academic publication or conference presentation.
The project has been awarded €89,269.70.
Image Caption: Research Ireland Public Service Fellows pictured at the Royal Irish Academy of Music marking Public Service Transformation Week. The Fellowship programme offers researchers a unique opportunity to be seconded to Government Departments and Public Sector Bodies to work in partnership on issues of national importance. Photo by Jason Clarke.