Cyber Citizens is a two year national initiative led by the UCD Centre for Cyber Resilience Education, in partnership with ADAPT at Trinity College Dublin, Oide TiE, Webwise, and the University of Pittsburgh
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, and Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton TD, announced almost €6 million in funding to support 32 projects designed to engage the public in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through the Research Ireland Discover Programme. One of the successful projects, Cyber Citizens, will be led by the UCD Centre for Cyber Resilience Education, in partnership with ADAPT at Trinity College Dublin, Oide TiE, Webwise, and the University of Pittsburgh.
Cyber Citizens is a two-year national initiative designed to support citizens in navigating emerging challenges arising from generative AI and cybersecurity. The project responds to growing public need for better awareness of issues such as disinformation, phishing and social engineering, privacy and digital safety.
The Research Ireland Discover Programme is a national initiative to widen participation in STEM. This year’s projects will engage with people of all ages, from early childhood through to adulthood, through creative, community-embedded and inclusive approaches to STEM engagement. Announcing the awards, Minister Lawless said: “STEM is one of the most powerful forces driving Ireland’s creativity, resilience and future prosperity. The projects announced today will widen access to STEM by bringing wonder, curiosity and real opportunities for learning into people’s everyday lives. This investment isn’t just about supporting programmes – it’s about sparking imaginations. It brings conversations about research and innovation directly into our communities and helps nurture a new generation of explorers, problem solvers and innovators who will shape Ireland’s future.” Welcoming the announcement and her department’s funding of six projects, Minister Naughton commented: “Today’s funding is about opening doors for our children and young people. By supporting STEM projects both inside and outside the classroom, we are helping children and young people across Ireland to discover that science, technology, engineering and maths are not abstract subjects, but real career paths that they can step into. This investment will ensure more children and young people can see themselves in STEM, build their confidence, and will empower them to pursue it as part of their future.” Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, added: “The projects funded today highlight the creativity and ambition of Ireland’s STEM engagement community, and their commitment to inspiring the next generation of scientists. They are also playing a vital role in helping people of all ages feel informed and connected to the role of STEM research in society.”
Dr Rachel Farrell, Director of UCD Centre for Cyber Resilience Education commented: “Cyber Citizens is an important next step in our ongoing work to strengthen digital resilience and cyber literacy across education and society. Building on extensive work to date, this national initiative will build capacity through partnership with the ADAPT Centre, Oide Technology in Education, Webwise, and the University of Pittsburgh. We are delighted to have the support of the Research Ireland Discover Programme in advancing informed, critical and responsible engagement with generative AI and cybersecurity.”
Professor John Kelleher, Director of the ADAPT Centre, said: “Cyber Citizens is a timely and important initiative that will help build understanding of digital resilience, online safety and responsible engagement with emerging technologies amongst the public and public leaders. ADAPT is delighted to partner on this initiative and further contribute to the wider national conversation on digital citizenship.”
