The Summer School is a weekend event for adults interested in exploring the role of science in our culture. A festival about science but not for scientists, exploring where ideas come from and how they impact and affect how we see the world today. It brings together speakers across various fields on a particular theme and is usually held in Lismore and Waterford over a weekend in late spring or summer.
You can view previous topics at the bottom of the page.
The 2024 Summer School took place in Waterford and Lismore from 9-12 May with a special opening evening on the 9th and a weekend full of talks discussions and social events. Learn more about:
2024 theme: Science and Art
Many people may see the arts and sciences as two separate worlds, mutually exclusive, or even opposed. Sixty-five years ago, C.P. Snow claimed that a division existed between science and the arts that was a dangerous threat to Western society. Snow argued that it would be mutually beneficial to both camps to build bridges between the disciplines.
Immerse yourself in the thought-provoking talks delivered by leading international figures, including maths and art expert Dr Fernando Corbalán. Explore the connections between science and art through history and ask how and why art, science and society can benefit from greater interconnectedness.
In addition the weekend features an array of entertainment, social gatherings and a delightful garden party in the stunning surrounds of Lismore Castle Gardens.
Speakers
The speakers for the Summer School 2024 were Nuala Clarke, Dr Matthew Landrus, Una Sealy, Dr Fernando Corbalán, Carlos Garcia Pando, Roger Gaskell, Brian Trench and Eoin Gill. Gooee O’Brien facilitates a workshop. Zoom in by clicking on the image; find out more about them by clicking on their names.
2024 Summer School Programme
To find out more about the speakers and their presentation, simply click on their names.
| Time | 9 May 2024 – Waterford City | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| At Medieval Museum | ||
| 5:30 PM | Adventures in Engineering and Literature | Prof Annraoi de Paor, |
| 7:00 PM | CP Snow’s Two Cultures at 65 (Panel Discussion) | Dr Jenny O’Connor, Lecturer in Humanities Brian Trench, Journalist Dr. Ida Milne, Historian Patrick Prendergast, Engineer Eoin Gill, Director Festival |
| Time | 10 May 2024 – Waterford City | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| At Dr. Mary Strangman Room1 City Hall | ||
| 11:00 AM | Visual Communication and Science A peculiar facility of imagining: Robert Hooke’s Micrographia in context | Eoin Gill, Director Festival Roger Gaskell, Historian |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch Break* | |
| 2:30 PM | In Search for Beauty: The Common Territory of Art and Mathematics Mathematics and Art from Leonardo to 3D printing | Dr Fernando Corbalán, Author Carlos Garcia Pando, 3DWIT Manager |
| 4:30 PM | Evening Break* | |
| 7:30 PM | The contemporary arts scene in Waterford (Panel Discussion) | Dymphna Nugent, WLR – in conversation with Eamon Mc Eneaney, retired Director of Waterford Museum of Treasure Sean Corcoran, Visual artist (the Art Hand) Nicola Spendlove, Creative Communities Engagement Officer with WCCC and others |
| Time | 11 May 2024 – Lismore | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| At Lismore Heritage Centre | ||
| 10:30 AM | Leonardo and the laws of Nature, in paintings and mechanics Ways of Seeing, where Art and Science connect | Dr Matthew Landrus, Historian Una Sealy, Visual artist |
| 12:30 PM | Lunch Break* | |
| 2:00 PM | Creativity – correlations between the work methods of an artist and a scientist Panel Discussion | Nuala Clarke, Visual artist |
| 4:00 PM | Afternoon Break | |
| 4:30 PM | Botanical Art Painting Workshop. Limited places. | Gooee O’Brien, Visual artist |
| 6:30 PM | Garden Party. See the Menu. | at Lismore Castle’s Gardens |
| Time | 12 May 2024 – Waterford City | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 11:30AM | Private tour of Waterford Gallery of Art |
1 Dr Mary Strangman room
Formerly known as “The Large Room” at City Hall Waterford it has been the site of many important events in the City’s history including the visit (2022) of the now King Charles and the conferring of the Freedom of the City to Gilbert O’Sullivan (2024). The name Large Room while conveying an accurate image of its size, does nothing to convey the grandeur or importance of the space so it was welcome that the room was named officially in March 2024 as the Dr Mary Strangman room.
Dr Mary Strangman was born in Carriganore House (now SETU’s West Campus) in 1872. She studied at the Royal College of Surgeons and qualified as a doctor becoming the second Irishwoman to gain a fellowship of RCSI in 1902. On her return to Waterford in 1903 she worked to improve public health and women’s rights. She was elected to Waterford City Corporation in 1912. Read more at Dictionary of Irish Biography
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This event is organised by CALMAST, South East Technological University’s STEM Engagement Centre in partnership with Lismore Heritage Centre.
Previous Programmes
Click on the title to see the programme of the previous summer schools.
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