Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin
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Ní Shúilleabháin in 2012
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| Born | 25 October 1983 Carnacon, near Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland
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| 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 | 3 |
| 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 (born 25 October 1983) is an Irish academic, teacher, and broadcaster. She is well-known for making science easy to understand for everyone. In 2005, she won the Rose of Tralee contest. She also toured the world as the lead singer of an Irish traditional music band.
In 2022, Aoibhinn was chosen to lead a national discussion about how to protect Ireland's plants and animals. She presented the group's report to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in April 2023. She also spoke about this important topic at a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin grew up in Carnacon, a village near Ballyglass in County Mayo. Her parents were both teachers. Her father was the principal of Carnacon National School, and her mother was the vice-principal of a school in Castlebar where Irish was spoken.
She is the oldest of six children and has five brothers. Aoibhinn has said that great teachers helped her love maths and science. She grew up speaking both English and Irish and still thinks partly in Irish today.
She earned a scholarship to University College Dublin (UCD) because of her excellent grades in the Leaving Certificate exam. She also received scholarships that allowed her to live in an Irish-speaking hall at UCD. In 2004, she spent a summer working at CERN in Geneva, a famous science research center. She graduated in 2005 with a top degree in Theoretical Physics.
Academic Career and Science Communication
After UCD, Aoibhinn planned to study Biological Mathematics in London. However, she decided to become a secondary school teacher instead. She earned a certificate in teaching English to adults in 2007. Then, she completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Education at Trinity College Dublin.
From 2008 to 2011, she taught maths, physics, and science at St Mark's Community School in Tallaght. This was a school in an area that needed extra support. She even taught Applied Mathematics to students outside of school hours. She strongly supported "Project Maths," a new way of teaching maths in secondary schools. She was part of a group that helped develop this new approach.
In 2011, she left teaching to work on her Ph.D. in maths education. She wanted to find better ways to train science and maths teachers. She aimed to create a more teamwork-based approach for teachers, similar to a successful model used in Japan. She believed that teaching should inspire students, not just prepare them for exams. From 2011 to 2013, she helped coordinate maths teaching programs at Trinity College. She finished her doctorate in 2014, and her research was published in 2015.
In 2014, she joined the School of Mathematics & Statistics at University College Dublin as a lecturer. She researches and teaches maths and maths education. As of 2021, she is an assistant professor at UCD. She also directs a program that trains science and maths teachers. In 2020, she won an award for her work as a socially engaged academic and communicator. She has mentioned that she still keeps her teaching registration and might return to teaching in schools someday.
Making Science Easy to Understand
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin is well-known for her ability to explain science clearly, especially in Ireland. She looks up to Richard Feynman, a famous physicist, as an inspiration. In 2016, she wrote a monthly column for the Science section of The Irish Times newspaper. She also helped create an exhibition at Science Gallery Dublin. She has given many science talks to students in schools.
In 2016, Silicon Republic named her one of the top 10 female science communicators. In 2017, she won an award from SFI for her "Outstanding Communication of STEM" (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths). She also helped lead the "Women in Mathematics in Ireland Day" in 2018. In 2020, she received a Maths Week Ireland Award for her great work in helping people understand mathematics.
Volunteer Work and Public Service
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin has volunteered for several important groups. She was part of the advisory group for the Science Gallery. She also served as an "ambassador for science" in Ireland from 2005 to 2006. In 2012, she was an "ambassador" for Dublin City of Science. She has also hosted and judged the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.
In 2017, she was invited to join the executive committee of WITS Ireland. This group supports women in science and technology fields. Since 2021, she has been a director for Core Youth Services in Inchicore, which helps young people.
In April 2022, the Taoiseach (Ireland's Prime Minister) chose Aoibhinn to lead the national Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. This group discussed how to protect Ireland's natural environment. The group's ideas were published in March 2023. Aoibhinn presented their report to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in April 2023. She was also chosen to represent Ireland at a special United Nations meeting about Mother Earth Day. She spoke about the work of the Citizens' Assembly and Ireland's efforts to protect nature.
Media Career
Rose of Tralee Contest 2005
On 23 August 2005, Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin was crowned the 47th Rose of Tralee. This event was shown on RTÉ Television. She was a favorite to win the contest. She was also the first Rose from Mayo to be a final contestant. She spent much of the next year involved in activities related to her win. She has said that winning the Rose of Tralee opened many doors for her media career.
Broadcasting Work
Since winning the Rose of Tralee, Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin has worked as a broadcaster and host. In 2007, she was on The Panel on RTÉ Two. In 2008, she took part in Celebrity Bainisteoir on RTÉ One, where she managed a Gaelic football team. 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 Dublin. In 2011, she filled in as a host on Newstalk radio, interviewing famous people.
In 2012, she traveled to Uganda to report on the work of Trócaire, an aid organization. She has presented two main science shows on RTÉ: The Science Squad (2012-2014) and 10 Things to Know About... (2015-2021). She had always wanted to present a science TV program.
In 2013, she hosted her own lifestyle radio series, Aoibhinn and Company, on RTÉ Radio 1. She also presented the RTÉ travel show Getaways for two series. From 2014 to 2018, she presented the Fleadh Cheoil program, which celebrates Irish traditional music.
Music and Writing
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin was a member of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for many years. This organization promotes Irish traditional music and culture. She won awards for her sean-nós singing (an old style of Irish singing). She also wrote songs, and won awards for her poetry and short stories. In 2007 and 2008, she toured the United States, Japan, and Europe as the lead singer of Ragús, a traditional Irish music band.
Recognition and Awards
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin has received many honors. 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 the Friends of Europe. In 2021, she was included on the "Top 100 Women of 2021" list by the Irish Examiner.
Personal Life
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin married Carlos Diaz in 2017. As of 2020, they have two sons. She continues to be very interested in Irish culture and speaks Irish. She has said, "for me, Irish culture is so important. I dance, I play, I speak the language." After living in Monkstown, she moved to Inchicore in 2016.
