Fascinating University of Limerick research across a wide variety of areas is to feature in a new RTÉ television series.
Brainstorm, a new RTÉ One television series supported by Intel, delivers fascinating and surprising answers on everything from hurling to hangovers and pollen to postcodes.
Social historian Donal Fallon presents the new five-part television series that seeks to answer a range of compelling and intriguing questions, with the first episode to air on Monday, May 2 at 8.30pm.
UL-based academics, researchers and PhD students including Joseph O’Brien, Professor Máiréad Moriarty, Dr Elaine Vaughan, Aoife Hurley, Dr James Sweeney, Dr John Perry and Dr Sarah Hayes will all feature on the series over the five weeks.
The series complements the RTÉ initiative ‘Brainstorm’ which, since Autumn 2017, has been providing captivating content across its various platforms, tickling the curiosity of readers and listeners and delving into the evidence behind news, events and current affairs topics.
UL is founding partner of RTE Brainstorm and has worked closely with RTE and the other Brainstorm partners to develop a national platform for academic participation in public discourse.
UL Vice President Professor Norelee Kennedy said of Brainstorm: “It is a valued space where the academic and research community can contribute to public debate and comment on current affairs, offering fresh ideas and perspectives, and one that UL views as a successful partnership.
“I am really looking forward to seeing this wide and varied UL research being brought to life on screen,” Professor Kennedy added.
Brainstorm has been produced by Midas Productions, an Irish company dedicated to creating thought-provoking, entertaining, challenging and informative television programming.
Stephen Smith, Executive producer with Midas Productions, said: “Brainstorm delivers informative and fascinating insights into a host of topics that we think about every day! It will be incredibly thought provoking for the RTÉ One audience.
“Although there is a brilliant team behind the series, the real stars here are the contributors, whose insights will take the viewers on a wonderful journey to uncover the real story behind the topics. Social Historian Donal Fallon is a fantastic host, as his natural storytelling abilities allow him to bring our stories to life.”
Schedule of UL stories on Brainstorm:
- Episode One – Monday, May 2 – ‘Who was the greatest snooker player of all time?’ - Joseph O’Brien, UL
- Episode Two - Monday, May 9 – ‘What do our accents say about us?’ - Máiréad Moriarty and Elaine Vaughan, UL
- Episode Four – Monday, May 23 – ‘Why do amateur sport players play for free?’ John Perry, UL and ‘What’s the impact of postcodes on Dublin house prices?’ Aoife Hurley and James Sweeney, UL
- Episode Five – Monday, May 30 – ‘The science of a hangover’ - Sarah Hayes, UL
For more, see www.rte.ie/brainstorm.