TU Dublin researchers highlight pathways to a more inclusive STEM future
As International Day of Women and Girls in Science on Wednesday, February 11th, 2026, shifts the focus from vision to impact, TU Dublin is showcasing how research and innovation can drive practical change in closing the gender gap in STEM. Building on UNESCO’s call to action on gender equality in science, the emphasis this year is on visible solutions and established good practice within research ecosystems.
At TU Dublin, this work is evident across both research and innovation and the research infrastructure that supports it.
Dr Esen Efeoglu, Assistant Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Principal Investigator in the Nanolab Research Centre, leads research on drug resistance in cancer, with a focus on developing new therapeutic strategies to improve treatment outcomes. Her work draws on cellular biotechnology and chemical biology and is supported by collaborations with Irish and international academic and clinical partners. Alongside publishing in specialist journals, she trains students in advanced laboratory techniques and embeds undergraduate and postgraduate learners in active research projects. Her supervision of doctoral researchers and publication of student led research reflects TU Dublin’s integrated approach to teaching, research and innovation.
Research and innovation open access form a core part of TU Dublin’s research impact and culture. Aisling Coyne, Open Scholarship Librarian, plays a key role in how research is published and shared. She manages the university’s institutional repository and Diamond open access journals and delivers training and outreach on open research practices. Through leadership roles in national open scholarship initiatives, she contributes to Ireland’s transition towards more sustainable and inclusive research publishing. Her work in open educational resources and gamified learning tools supports wider participation in research and assists early-career researchers in navigating open science.
Together, these contributions illustrate how TU Dublin’s Research and Innovation ecosystem extends beyond discovery to include knowledge sharing, staff and student engagement and national and international collaboration. By supporting women and girls in both scientific research and research infrastructure roles, the university shows how practical action can strengthen participation and representation in STEM.