Met Éireann launches Research & Innovation Strategy at annual showcase event

Met Éireann yesterday marked the official launched of its new Research & Innovation Strategy 2026-2034 at a national conference of researchers, policymakers, operational experts and practitioners from across the weather, flood and climate communities.

May 21st, 2026

Organised as part of the national meteorological service's 90th anniversary programme, the Met Éireann Research Showcase 2026 at the Botanic Gardens in Dublin highlighted the societal value of research and the important role science and innovation play in strengthening Ireland's preparedness for weather extremes, flooding and climate change.

Opening the conference, Met Éireann Director Eoin Moran launched the new research & innovation strategy, entitled "Knowledge to Preparedness". Mr. Moran said: "Research and innovation are central to Met Éireann's mission. This strategy represents a shift to research as a connected system for preparedness - strengthening the links between science, operations, policy and users to deliver real societal impact."

The new Research & Innovation Strategy emphasises four interconnected goals:

• strengthening research excellence and talent,
• accelerating research-to-operations and innovation delivery,
• increasing societal impact and evidence for policy,
• and intensifying national and international partnerships.

The strategy also highlights the importance of building future skills and expertise to help Ireland understand and adapt to climate change and weather-related risks.

With more than 180 participants (including more than 110 in person), the Met Éireann Research Showcase 2026 conference attracted significant interest and showcased research funded and performed through Met Éireann's Weather and Climate Research Programme, including work on:

• climate projections and climate services,
• flood forecasting and multi-hazard modelling,
• artificial intelligence for weather prediction,
• observations and radar systems,
• climate communication and citizen science,
• impact-based forecasting and decision support.

The event featured keynote presentations, expert talks, panel discussions and poster exhibitions, creating opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange across academia, government, operational services, local authorities and industry.

Throughout the day, discussions focused on a central question: how can research be translated more effectively into operational services, decision-making and national preparedness?

Researchers and operational experts explored the challenges and opportunities associated with:

• improving weather and flood forecasting systems,
• strengthening climate adaptation planning,
• responding to increasingly frequent and impactful extreme weather events,
• integrating artificial intelligence responsibly into forecasting systems,
• and ensuring scientific information is accessible, trusted and actionable.

A recurring theme throughout the conference was the importance of partnerships and collaboration.

The conference concluded with an international keynote address by Dr. Andy Brown, former Director of Science at the Met Office and former Director of Research and Deputy Director General at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), who reflected on the future of operational prediction systems and the growing importance of integrated weather-flood-climate services.

Closing the event, Met Éireann Assistant Director, Josephine Prendergast, thanked participants for their engagement and emphasised the importance of continued collaboration across the research and operational communities.

"Preparedness depends on partnership. The challenges we face are increasingly interconnected, and no single organisation can address them alone. Today demonstrated the strength of the community working together to support a safer, more resilient and climate-ready Ireland."

The Met Éireann Research Showcase 2026 forms part of a wider programme of events marking Met Éireann's 90^th anniversary throughout the year, including a show garden at Bord Bia Bloom on May 28^th - June 1^st next.