ELAINE QUINN

Elaine Quinn has a B.Sc. (Applied Sciences) from TCD and TU Dublin; a M.Sc. Science Communication from DCU and QUB and is a member of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland. Elaine is the Institute Manager (Communications & Education) in UCD Conway Institute, a biomedical research centre in University College Dublin. She has more than 18 years’ experience in communications, public engagement and graduate education. In addition to promoting the research reputation of the Institute, Elaine facilitates the development and delivery of public engagement initiatives and builds capacity for public engagement practice through training delivery. Elaine manages the Patient Voice in Cancer Research, an initiative to build connections between cancer patients and researchers. She is the UCD site director for the Amgen Biotech Experience Ireland programme, a science education initiative for secondary school teachers and pupils. Since 2020, Elaine has led creative arts approaches to communicating science culminating in exhibitions by Lorna Donlon (STEP Through the Looking Glass: Stories Told of Experimental Processes) and Vincent Devine (The Vitruvian: Uncovering the Layers of Cancer). To attract pupils who would not typically engage with STEM, Elaine leads a structured transition year placement programme to engage and inspire pupils who experience social, economic or educational disadvantage to pursue STEM subjects and careers.