Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin
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Ní Shúilleabháin in Uganda in 2012
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| Born | 25 October 1983 Carnacon, near Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland
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| Nationality | Irish |
| Alma mater | University College Dublin Trinity College Dublin |
| Occupation | Lecturer, researcher, broadcaster |
| Known for | Science communication, chairing national forum on biodiversity, Rose of Tralee win |
| Spouse(s) |
Carlos Diaz
(m. 2017) |
| Children | 2 |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | University College Dublin |
| Thesis | Developing mathematics teachers' pedagogical content knowledge through lesson study : a multiple case study at a time of curriculum change (2015) |
| Doctoral advisor | Aidan Geery (Dr.) |
| Influences | Richard Feynman |
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin (pronounced [ˈiːvʲən̠ʲ n̠ʲiː ˈhuːl̠ʲəwaːnʲ]; born 25 October 1983) is an Irish professor, teacher, and TV presenter. She is well-known for making science easy to understand for everyone. In 2005, she won the Rose of Tralee competition. She also toured the world as a lead singer in an Irish traditional music band. In 2022, she was chosen to lead a national discussion about how to protect nature. She gave a report on this to the Irish leader, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, in April 2023. She also spoke about it at the United Nations.
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Growing Up and Schooling
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin grew up in a small village called Carnacon in County Mayo, Ireland. Both of her parents were teachers. Her father was the principal of the local school, and her mother was a vice-principal. She was the oldest of six children, with five younger brothers.
She says that great teachers helped her love maths and science. She grew up speaking both English and Irish. Even as an adult, she still thinks partly in Irish.
University Studies and CERN Experience
Aoibhinn went to University College Dublin (UCD) after getting high marks in her final school exams, the Leaving Certificate. She received scholarships that helped her study. For her first two years at UCD, she lived in a special hall where everyone spoke Irish. She also helped organize Irish-language events on campus.
In the summer of 2004, she worked at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. CERN is a huge science lab where scientists study tiny particles. In 2005, she finished her degree in Theoretical Physics with top honors. This is a type of advanced physics that uses maths to understand how the universe works.
Teaching and Science Communication
After university, Aoibhinn first planned to study Biological Mathematics. But she decided to become a secondary school teacher instead. She got a teaching diploma from Trinity College Dublin.
Becoming a Teacher
From 2008 to 2011, she taught maths, physics, and science. She worked at St Mark's Community School in Tallaght. This was a DEIS school, which means it gets extra support to help students from disadvantaged areas. She even taught extra maths classes to students who were interested, outside of school hours.
She strongly supported "Project Maths." This was a new way of teaching and testing maths in secondary schools. She was part of the group that helped develop this new approach.
Researching Better Ways to Teach Maths
In 2011, Aoibhinn left teaching to study for her Ph.D. Her research focused on how to improve teaching methods for maths and science teachers. She won a special scholarship called an Ussher Fellowship to help fund her studies.
She wanted to create a new way for maths teachers to learn and grow. She looked at a successful model from Japan. This model encourages teachers to work together in groups to improve their classroom skills. She believed that teachers should work together more. She also felt that learning should be exciting, not just about passing exams. She finished her Ph.D. in 2014.
University Lecturer and Professor
In 2014, she started working at University College Dublin (UCD). She became a lecturer, teaching and researching maths and maths education. Today, she is an assistant professor at UCD. She also leads a program that trains new science and maths teachers. In 2020, she won an award for her work as a socially engaged academic and leader.
She has said that she still keeps her teaching license. She might even go back to teaching in schools someday.
Making Science Easy to Understand
Aoibhinn is well-known for explaining science to the public, especially in Ireland. She looks up to famous scientists like Richard Feynman. In 2016, she wrote a monthly column about science for The Irish Times newspaper. She also helped create an exhibition at Science Gallery Dublin. She often gives talks about science to students in schools.
In 2016, a group called Silicon Republic named her one of the top female science communicators. In 2017, she won an award for her "Outstanding Communication of STEM." STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. In 2020, she received an award for helping people learn more about maths during Maths Week Ireland.
Helping the Community and Public Service
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin has volunteered for many organizations. She was part of an advisory group at the Science Gallery. She also served as an "ambassador for science" in Ireland from 2005 to 2006. She was an "ambassador" for Dublin City of Science in 2012. She has hosted and judged the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, which is a big science fair for young people.
In 2017, she joined the leadership committee of WITS (Women in Technology & Science) Ireland. This group supports women in science and technology. Since 2021, she has also been a director for Core Youth Services in Inchicore.
Leading the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss
In April 2022, the Irish leader, Mícheál Martin, chose Aoibhinn to lead the national Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. This group brought together ordinary citizens to discuss how to protect Ireland's plants and animals. The Assembly's ideas were published in March 2023. Aoibhinn presented their report to the new Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, in April 2023. The government will review these ideas and respond by the end of 2023.
She was also chosen to represent Ireland at a special United Nations meeting. She spoke about the work of the Citizens' Assembly and Ireland's efforts to protect nature.
Media Work
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin has had a successful career in media since winning the Rose of Tralee.
Rose of Tralee Winner 2005
On 23 August 2005, Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin was crowned the 47th Rose of Tralee. This competition is broadcast on RTÉ Television. She was the first person from Mayo to win the competition. She spent much of the next year working on projects related to her win. She says that winning the Rose of Tralee opened many doors for her later media career.
TV and Radio Presenter
Since 2005, Aoibhinn has worked as a TV and radio presenter.
- In 2007, she was on the TV show The Panel.
- In 2008, she managed a Gaelic football team for the show Celebrity Bainisteoir.
- In 2009, she hosted The Reel Deal, a weekly Irish music show on RTÉ.
- She also hosted shows on Raidió Na Life, an Irish language radio station.
- In 2011, she filled in as a presenter on Newstalk radio.
- In 2012, she visited Uganda to report on the work of Trócaire, a charity organization.
She has presented two main science shows on RTÉ:
- The Science Squad (2012-2014)
- 10 Things to Know About... (2015-2021)
She had always wanted to present a science TV show.
In 2013, she hosted her own radio show on RTÉ Radio 1 called Aoibhinn and Company. She also presented the travel show Getaways and the Fleadh Cheoil program, which celebrates Irish traditional music.
Music and Writing Talents
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin was a member of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for many years. This is an organization that promotes Irish traditional music, dance, and language. She won awards for sean-nós singing, which is an old style of Irish singing. She also wrote songs, poetry, and short stories, winning awards for them too.
In 2007 and 2008, she toured different countries like the United States, Japan, and parts of Europe. She was the lead singer of a traditional Irish music band called Ragús.
Awards and Recognition
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin has received many honors for her work:
- In 2014, Silicon Republic named her one of the "Top 100 Women in Science, Maths and Engineering."
- In 2017, she was recognized as one of the "40 under 40 European Young Leaders" by Friends of Europe.
- In 2021, the Irish Examiner included her on their "Top 100 Women of 2021" list.
Personal Life
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin married Carlos Diaz in 2017. They have two sons.
She continues to be very interested in Irish culture and speaks Irish fluently. She has said, "for me, Irish culture is so important. I dance, I play, I speak the language." She moved to Inchicore in 2016.
In 2020, Aoibhinn spoke about a difficult experience she had at UCD. She received a formal apology from the university's acting president in 2022.
