Four new short animations have been created through a strand of the Science on Screen programme, a partnership between CÚRAM Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centre for Medical Devices and Ardán. 

These original animations are the product of a new strand of CÚRAM and Ardan’s Science on Screen Scheme and were launched in 2022 in association with the National Talent Academy Animation (NTAA).  

Science on Screen Programme 2022-2023

The project invited animators to apply to create short, easy to understand animations that present scientific concepts currently being explored through research projects at CÚRAM. 

Swansong Films (Niamh Heery and Eric Dolan) and Studio 9 (Joe Coveney and John O’Connell) were selected and have each made two animations for the scheme. Read more about the research projects in the Galway Advertiser.

Feedback on the programme

“Working with CÚRAM was a fantastic opportunity for us at Studio 9. Their work is fascinating, and it was a wonderful challenge to help them communicate their research with a broader audience.” – Joe Coveney of Studio 9 

“The highlights were the soundscape mentoring from Pa Lynch lined up by NTAA. The organisation of the whole project with the CÚRAM and Ardán team was great.” – Niamh Heery of Swansong Films 

“The product of this collaboration between animators and CÚRAM scientists has been hugely valuable in creating clear ways to inform the public about what we do and its value.” – CÚRAM Scientific Director Professor Abhay Pandit

About Science on Screen 

Science on Screen is a partnership project run by CÚRAM (the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices at University of Galway) & Ardán (formerly Galway Film Centre). 

The partnership began in 2016 and aims to facilitate, promote and increase the inclusion of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) content in Irish film and TV production through the production of documentary films that incorporate current research at CÚRAM and its partners. 

Since 2016, eight Science on Screen films have been produced, covering such topics as developments in precision tailored cancer treatment, Parkinson’s Disease, living with diabetes, and the newest documentary which focuses on the Home Health project on Clare Island, investigating how digital healthcare can improve patient care on the island. 

Want to get involved in the next round? 

Animators can find out more about future Science on Screen projects by following CÚRAM, Ardán and National Talent Academy Animation on social media and subscribing to the Ardán newsletter at https://ardan.ie/