KBS Future Thinking KBS Future Thinking

In this episode, Finbarr and Erin are joined by a very impressive guest, a female entrepreneur and innovator in business, Áine Mulloy.



With an academic background in Humanities, Áine started her professional career in the publishing industry before moving into technology. She was previously the co-founder and CMO at GirlCrew, overseeing the growth of over 200 cities worldwide. While there she had some incredible professional and personal experiences, such as being named a Forbes Top 100 EU Female Founders to Follow, delivering a TEDx on Representation in Tech, and embarking on EU Tech Roadshows.



From there she moved to Accenture as an Innovation Design Lead, at Accenture's Global Flagship for R&D & Innovation. She worked with the CEO and senior leadership of Accenture's biggest clients to solve strategic challenges.



Áine Mulloy joined AWS in late 2022 as Business Development Manager for the Startup Loft Accelerator, helping early-stage startups scale.



In her spare time, Áine sits on the board of the Dublin Fringe Festival, a curated, multidisciplinary arts festival and year-round artist support organisation.



Áine empowers others to solve complex challenges in new ways. Her vision is to build a better future for communities, society and businesses by harnessing the power of diverse ecosystems.


This episode is produced by the KBS Digital Hub-Grzegorz Rogala

As we kick off our second year, we will introduce bonus episodes during the upcoming year. In the initial Bonus Episode, guest host Professor Stephen Kinsella chats with Professor Ciarán Casey regarding Irish economics and his books 'Policy Failures and the Irish Economic Crisis' and 'The Irish Department of Finance 1959-99'



Stephen is a Professor of Economics at the University of Limerick, Head of the Department of Economics, and Research Associate at the Rhodes Centre for International Finance at Brown University. Stephen is also a co-director of the Immersive Software Engineering programme.



Ciarán is an economic historian and Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at the Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick.


This first book seeks to understand why almost all commentators on the Irish economy were unprepared for the scale of the recent economic crisis. It analyses the public contributions from a broad range of observers, including domestic and international agencies, academics, newspapers and politicians.


Ciarán's second book: By the late 1950s Ireland had suffered three economic crises in as many decades, falling significantly behind the living standards of neighbouring countries. Yet at the turn of the millennium it had reached virtual parity. This was all the more remarkable given the economic turbulence of the 1970s and the deep recession which lasted most of the 1980s.

A major contributing factor to this historic convergence was a series of new economic and social policies pursued from the 1950s. While the cumulative effect of these was not anticipated, they produced a boom in the 1990s that was genuinely exceptional by world standards.

The Department of Finance had primary responsibility for setting economic policy throughout the period. It was also charged with a swathe of other responsibilities in its role as 'the Central Department'. Its Ministers and officials were key agents of the changes that transformed modern Ireland.



https://www.amazon.co.uk/Policy-Failures-Irish-Economic-Crisis/dp/3319901818



https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-90182-4



https://www.ipa.ie/government-and-politics/the-irish-department-of-finance1959-99.6029.html


This episode is produced by the KBS Digital Hub-Grzegorz Rogala

This week marks the first anniversary of the KBS Future Thinking Podcast, we see no better way than featuring one of our outstanding students, Evelyne Mancassola. Evelyne is a 4th Year BA International Business Student at the University of Limerick and the Founder & CEO of The Poppy Cup.



In this episode, Evelyne shares with Finbarr and Erin her inspiring journey of launching a business during her fourth year at university, balancing entrepreneurial endeavours with academic commitments. A native of Limerick, she discusses her decision to go for the competitive BA International Business (BAIB) course at the Kemmy Business School. Influenced by excellent secondary school teachers, she discovered her talent for marketing early on, a passion that has significantly shaped her career path.



Evelyne's drive to gain international experience influenced her choice to pursue the BAIB programme, which subsequently played a pivotal role in her entrepreneurial journey. As a dedicated student and a Student Ambassador managed by the Undergraduate Coordinator, Elaine Mullane, Evelyne values education and the strong academic community at Kemmy Business School. This role offered her the platform to engage with peers, promote the school's exemplary programmes, and contribute to the educational journeys of both current and prospective students.



She also recounts memorable experiences from her time studying abroad and reflects on the enriching academic and extracurricular opportunities at the Kemmy Business School. Join us as Evelyne regales us with tales from her adventures abroad and her academic and entrepreneurial journey.


And of course, we must give a big shout-out to Poppy the dog!



https://www.instagram.com/thepoppycup/



https://www.tiktok.com/@aorcoaching/video/7336600356236922145


This episode is produced by the KBS Digital Hub-Grzegorz Rogala

In this episode of the KBS podcast, hosts Finbarr and Erin are joined by John Finnerty, a seasoned Garda at An Garda Síochána and an expert in public speaking training. With nearly three decades of experience in law enforcement, John has crafted specialised public speaking workshops tailored for Gardai across various ranks.



Additionally, John plays an active role in his community by collaborating with the Crime Prevention Officer to design and implement Crime Prevention Workshops for community groups in Limerick. Known for his quick thinking and leadership, Garda Sergeant Finnerty is an influential figure with outstanding public speaking and communication skills.



During the conversation, John shares valuable insights on public speaking, highlights exemplary leaders who have emerged as such by choice, and provides essential safety tips. He also discusses current criminal trends, making this episode a must-listen for gaining practical knowledge and enhancing personal safety.




This episode is produced by the KBS Digital Hub-Grzegorz Rogala

Finbarr and Erin welcome Thomas O'Shaughnessy, Manager of the Educational Assistive Technology Centre at the University of Limerick to this episode.


Thomas is a graduate of the University of Limerick at both undergraduate (BSc in Computer Systems) and postgraduate level (MSc in Software Engineering) and is also currently undertaking a PhD in Education. With over 15 years of experience promoting and facilitating inclusive practice in higher education.



Thomas currently manages the Educational Assistive Technology Centre (EATC). He also manages projects related to inclusive practice, accessibility and Universal Design for Learning. Thomas also has guest lectures on several undergraduate and postgraduate courses in AT, Accessibility and UDL.


This discussion emphasises the importance of advancing accessibility in the higher education sector, highlighting opportunities for refinement and the advantageous impacts these enhancements could yield.



It suggests the feasibility of altering the cultural framework of academic institutions to incorporate accessibility and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) into educational methodologies and communication practices among students and staff. Given the dynamic nature of inclusivity, educational bodies need to stay abreast of societal transformations and the varied learning modalities of students.



Additionally, investing in the continuous skill development of university staff is vital for keeping pace with these changes.

Captioning for this episode will be made available on the KBS Future Thinking YouTube channel shortly.



https://www.youtube.com/@KBSFutureThinkingPodcast


This episode is produced by the KBS Digital Hub-Grzegorz Rogala

In this episode, Finbarr and Erin are excited to host David Pollard for an innovative and insightful conversation.



David Pollard is a distinguished leader in health innovation and education, with over a decade of experience enriching the healthcare sector through innovative programmes and partnerships. As the current Head of Digital Learning, Education Platforms and Scaling at EIT Health, he plays a pivotal role in shaping healthcare education across Europe. His leadership as the Futurist and Innovation Committee Chairman at the Global Alliance for Medical Education underscores his commitment to fostering lifelong learning and collaboration for global healthcare improvement. Pollard's academic pursuits include his ongoing PhD research in Inclusive Design and Creative Technology Innovation at SMARTlab UCD, emphasising his dedication to inclusive and innovative healthcare solutions.



David Pollard's blend of leadership in health innovation, entrepreneurship, community building, and education positions him as an invaluable asset to the Global Alliance for Medical Education board. His proven track record of fostering innovation, driving collaborative initiatives, and enhancing global healthcare education aligns perfectly with the goals of GAME. His vision for a more inclusive, innovative, and well-educated healthcare community is not only inspiring but also essential for addressing the challenges and opportunities in global healthcare education and practice.



https://irchumanitarianawards.ie/



https://eithealth.eu/



https://www.luminatemed.com/


This episode is produced by the KBS Digital Hub-Grzegorz Rogala