Final call for Kildare people to help shape national research survey

Research Ireland has released its final call for people living in County Kildare to help shape its national research survey.

Anyone who is aged 16 and over and who is living in Kildare is eligible to take part in a national survey on research before it closes.

Explaining the project, which originally launched back in June, Research Ireland said that the Research in Ireland Barometer 2026 is a national project which is ‘designed to build a richer, more inclusive understanding of how people encounter, engage with, and experience research in their everyday lives’.

According to Research Ireland, the Barometer focuses on capturing lived experience; specifically, the ‘stories, contexts and perspectives that shape how people relate to research’.

SERIES OF FOCUS GROUPS

To drive participation in the Barometer, Research Ireland has revealed that it has been holding a series of community-based focus groups across the country in partnership with regional organisations.

The nationwide awareness campaign has also included Research Ireland teams on the ground at Electric Picnic 2026, as well as at the forthcoming National Ploughing Championships (September 15, 2026 to September 17, 2026).

As for the response to the project, the director of research for society at Research Ireland, Dr Ruth Freeman, claimed that the Barometer has been well-received so far, and asserted that it ‘demonstrates the willingness of people across Ireland to share their experiences and perspectives on research’.

She elaborated: “Through the survey, our focus groups and public engagement activities around the country, we are hearing from people in a wide range of communities and learning more about how research intersects with everyday life.

“We want to ensure that as many voices as possible are represented before the survey closes at the end of September.”

Dr Freeman concluded: “By listening to people’s lived experiences and meeting people where they are, we aim to build a richer, more inclusive understanding of research and ensure it remains connected to the needs and experiences of the public.”

Research Ireland’s Barometer survey closes on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, while the findings are scheduled to be published later this year.

Anyone seeking further information on the Barometer and to take part in the survey, visit www.researchireland.ie/research-in-ireland-barometer.

Moreover, anyone with queries on the Barometer can email [email protected].