CONNECT celebrates a decade of pioneering research and innovation
Posted on: 07 November 2025
The CONNECT Research Ireland Centre this week marked its tenth anniversary with a vibrant showcase celebrating a decade of pioneering research, innovation, and collaboration in future networks and communications.
The event, CONNECT at Ten, took place as part of the FYUZ – a global gathering of leaders from industry exploring the future of connectivity.
Hosted at the Convention Centre Dublin, the showcase brought together researchers, alumni, and industry partners to reflect on the many achievements to date, and to look ahead to the next wave of innovation in 6G, quantum networking, and beyond.
A decade of impact
Opening the celebration, Professor Dan Kilper, Director of CONNECT, reflected on the centre’s journey from a bold national vision to Ireland’s leading research hub for future communications technologies and emphasised the central role of collaboration in CONNECT’s success.
He said: “We work with over 50 industry partners and a global network of collaborators. Our work not only advances science but helps build the infrastructure, skills, and partnerships needed for a more connected and sustainable world.”
Prof. Kilper also highlighted CONNECT’s impact through initiatives such as the Open Ireland Testbed, Smart Docklands, and collaborations with NTT and JOINER, showcasing Ireland’s leadership in next-generation network research.
Speaking at the showcase, Professor Linda Doyle, Provost of Trinity College Dublin and founding director of CONNECT, delivered a heartfelt reflection on the centre’s origins and its unique collaborative spirit.
“From the very beginning, CONNECT was about bringing people together – across institutions, disciplines, and industries,” she said. “It’s been a family of people with diverse ideas, pushing the boundaries of networking and communications in wonderful and unexpected ways.”
Pictured at the showcase are a number of key researchers, collaborators and innovators. Provost Linda Doyle (sixth from left) and Prof. Dan Kilper, Director of CONNECT (seventh from left) were among them at the celebrations.
Turning research into real-world innovation
This first panel of the morning was the Spinouts and Alumni Success panel, chaired by Lynda Boylan, Spinout Manager at Trinity.
The session featured Dr Hazel Murray (Munster Technological University), Professor Tony Robinson (Trinity), and Cathal Wilson (co-founders of Nexalus), who shared their journeys from CONNECT research to successful enterprises.
Nexalus’ advanced liquid-cooling technology – now used by eight of ten Formula 1 teams — began as a research collaboration within CONNECT. The company went on to win the CONNECT Impact Award for long-term commercialisation and research collaboration and was recently spotlighted in TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2025 list.
“CONNECT gave us a foundation for collaboration and innovation,” said Prof. Robinson. “That connection between research and industry continues to drive everything we do.”
Connecting with communities
The showcase also highlighted CONNECT’s educational and public engagement initiatives — including The Connective Detective, an interactive schools programme that brings the science of networks to life, and The Academy of the Near Future, a partnership with Dublin City Council and Smart Docklands that helps students design the cities of tomorrow.
“These initiatives show how CONNECT connects beyond the lab,” Prof. Kilper said. “They inspire young people to see technology as something they can shape for good.”
Research for a Sustainable Future
The panel on Future Networks Sustainability, chaired by Prof. Dan Kilper, explored how next-generation networks can be made greener, more resilient, and more human-centred.
Speakers Dr Aidan Quinn (Tyndall), Dr Melanie Bouroche (Trinity), Dr. Susan Rea (MTU), and Dr Merim Dzaferagić (Trinity) shared insights into creating more energy-efficient, secure, and sustainable communications systems – aligning innovation in connectivity with global climate goals.
Looking Ahead: 6G and Beyond
The final discussion, CONNECT Research – 6G and More, featured Professor Marco Ruffini (Trinity), Prof. Liam Barry (DCU), Dr John Dooley(Maynooth), Prof. Dirk Pesch,(UCC) and Dr Aleksandra Kaszubowska-Anandarajah (Trinity), exploring Ireland’s leadership in optical, terahertz, and quantum communications and how these advances will shape the next decade of connectivity.
“The next ten years promise to be even more transformative,” Prof. Kilper concluded. “Together, we’ll continue to build the networks that connect people, ideas, and innovation – across Ireland and around the world.
The showcase concluded with the CONNECT Awards, recognising outstanding contributions across research, commercialisation, and public engagement:
- Impact Award: The Nexalus Story, led by Professor Tony Robinson
- Early Career Awards: Chamara Sandeepa and Thulitha Senevirathna
- Tom Brazil Award: Gearóid Farrell (TCD) and Dr. Aisling O’Driscoll (UCC)
- Education and Public Engagement Awards: Dr. Hazel Murray and Clara Blutz