Foreword

This year 'Trinity Week' runs from 16 of April to 20 April 2012. It is a special week in Trinity College Dublin when time is put aside from normal academic and scholarly activities to celebrate the achievements of students and staff.

It commences on Trinity Monday with the long established tradition of announcing from the steps of the Public Theatre the College's new Fellows and Scholars. The Fellows are academic staff who have demonstrated great achievement in research and scholarship of international standing. The new Scholars are undergraduate students who have succeeded in the scholarship examination by exceptional answering of especially difficult questions set to test their ability as critical and innovative thinkers. At the Scholars' Dinner that evening special tribute is paid to new and past Scholars, with many of those in attendance representing several decades of scholars.

There are a number of other distinctive events celebrating various aspects of College life during Trinity Week, including the Memorial Discourse which reflects on distinguished Trinity names from the past; this year Professor V.J. McBrierty will discourse on the Nobel Prizewinning physicist E.T.S. Walton. The Trinity Week Academic Symposium draws together leading experts to discuss a pertinent topic of broad interest; this year the Academic Symposium focuses on Geology in Modern Society with a series of lectures by leading experts from around the world. There is also, of course the legendary Trinity Ball, the biggest student ball in Europe – if not the world. The traditional College Races and Relays in College Park are a longstanding highlight of Trinity Week and provide an exciting afternoon of sporting events for the entire community.

This year the Faculty of Engineering, Mathematics & Science has taken the lead in putting together an extensive programme for Trinity Week. With the theme of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Society, there is a comprehensive programme of symposia, talks, lectures, exhibitions and other events, many of which are free and open to the public. The issues discussed will have a real impact on our lives today and more importantly in future years. It is the role of a university to contribute to these discussions through research and innovation, outreach and engagement with society. I look forward to Trinity Week with great anticipation and invite you - whether you are a member of the public, a Trinity student, or a member of staff - to come and be a part of the Trinity Week activities.

P.J. Prendergast
PROVOST