About Us
Prof. Lisa O'Malley
Prof. Lisa O'Malley
Professor O'Malley is an innovative and engaged scholar who teaches Relationship Marketing on the Executive MBA and Marketing Leadership on the MSc in Marketing, Consumption & Society at the University of Limerick. She also delivers modules on Marketing, Customer Engagement and Consumer Insight at Warwick Business School and Loughborough University Business School. She encourages critical, creative and reflective engagement with her material and has won several awards for Teaching Excellence.
She has also published widely including in the European Journal of Marketing, Consumption, Markets & Culture, Marketing Theory, Industrial Marketing Management, Journal of Marketing Management, Journal of Business Ethics and the Journal of Business Research. She is a member of the Academy of Marketing Executive Committee, the foremost professional body for marketing academics in the UK and she Chairs its Research Subcommittee.
Prof. Colin Fitzpatrick
Prof. Colin Fitzpatrick
Prof Colin Fitzpatrick is the Head of Department and Associate Professor in the Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering at the University of Limerick, Ireland.He teaches Sustainable Life Cycle Engineering, Electronics & the Environment, and Energy Management.
His research interests cover a range of topics in the area of technology and sustainability including the Circular Economy, Electronics Repair & Reuse, WEEE Management, Electricity Demand Management, Conflict Minerals, Planned Obsolescence, & Environmental Sensing and he has published widely in these areas.
He Chairs the National Standards Authority of Ireland Technical Committee 22 'Environmental Standardization for Electrical and Electronic Products and Systems' the national mirror committee for European and International Standardisation bodies in this area.He was conference Chair for the Product Lifetimes and the Environment (PLATE) virtual conference in 2021.
Prof. Michelle O'Dwyer
Prof. Michele O'Dwyer
As a winner of multiple teaching awards Michele works with undergraduate, postgraduate and executive students in the University of Limerick (as well as leading Universities in UK, USA, France, Germany, Finland and the Netherlands) encouraging them to explore their own potential.
Before joining the faculty at the University of Limerick Michele ran a marketing and market research consultancy investigating marketing issues in a diverse range of industries in Ireland and across Europe.
Her continuing close links with industry support her award winning research which focuses on performance, innovation, alliances, SME marketing, and new product development. She holds a PhD from the University of Ulster in the UK and has published in such journals as Journal of Product and Innovation Management, Journal of World Business, Industrial Marketing Management, Journal of Business Research, European Journal of Marketing, European Business Review, Journal of International Management, Journal of Strategic Marketing, International Journal of Product Development, Journal of Services Marketing, European Journal of International Management, and International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research.
Dr. Maria Lachirou
Dr. Maria Lichrou
Maria Lichrou is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing at the Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick. She is a member of the Consumers in Society Research Cluster at the Kemmy Business School. She has led and worked on a number of sustainability projects, including EPA-funded research, focusing on how consumers dispose of electrical and electronic devices.
She has published research on sustainability in Resources, Conservation & Recycling, the European Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Management, and Journal of Macromarketing.
Dr. Yvonne Ryan
Dr. Yvonne Ryan-Fogarty
Dr Yvonne Ryan-Fogarty is a Science Foundation Ireland Pathways Fellow and Lecturer in Geography specialising in Environmental and Sustainability Issues at the University of Limerick.
Dr. Leonie Lynch
Dr. Leonie Lynch
Dr Leonie Lynch is a postdoctoral researcher in the Kenny Business School. In consumer insights and circularity.
Academy of marketing, INY creativity symposium, phd visual literacy, published in the European journal of marketing. Consumer research and insights. Founder of Juspy.
Dr. Damian Coughlan
Dr. Damian Coughlan
Dr Damian Coughlan, Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering. BSc (Hons) Product Design & Technology, UL 2012. PhD Sustainable Lifecycle Engineering, 2018, UL.
Damian is a Research Fellow for the EPA funded “Remanufacturing for Ireland” project. Damian previously worked as a Circular Economy Technologist with Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and CIRCULÉIRE which was Ireland’s first National Platform for Circular Manufacturing where he was supporting members in research & project activities. Damian holds a PhD in Sustainable Lifecycle Engineering from UL. Damian has previously worked on the EPA funded “TriREUSE” and “EEE2WEEE” projects. Damian’s research interests in Industrial Ecology, Circular Economy, Manufacturing and Digitalisation. Damian has previously worked in the Electronics and ICT sectors for over 15 years.
Dr. Alan Ryan
Dr. Alan Ryan
Dr Alan Ryan: School of Engineering, University of Limerick, B Tech (Honours) Production Management UL, 2003; PhD University of Limerick, 2006.
Alan is a senior lecturer within the School of Engineering at the University of Limerick, Ireland. Alan has previously worked as a manufacturing engineer for Kostal Ireland and holds a PhD in Sustainable Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing from the University of Limerick. Alan has previously worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow within UL, on an LCD TV screen recycling project, where Alan led the design, development and prototyping of an automated system to recycle LCD screens.
This research resulted in a number of patents and the formation of a spin out company. Alan lectures automation, systems integration, ISA88 design principles to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. He is programme director for the Mechatronics Masters of Engineering in UL. His current research covers areas such as Industry 4.0 systems, Sustainable production in Dairy Industry and Production Simulation.
The Brand Story of Trisk
In the vibrant and progressive setting of the University of Limerick, a unique confluence of minds gave birth to an innovative research group named Trisk. Our interdisciplinary team comprises researchers and academics from diverse fields such as business, IT, environmental science, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
United by a shared passion for sustainability and circularity, we embarked on a journey to create a brand that would embody our mission and vision. The journey towards establishing Trisk began with an earnest discussion about the essence of our collaborative effort. As we brainstormed, we realized the need for a name that encapsulated our commitment to sustainability and the concept of circularity, which was central to our work. Circularity, in our context, referred to the idea of creating systems that are regenerative by design, mimicking natural processes where waste is minimized, and resources are reused and recycled indefinitely.
Professor Colin Fitzpatrick, suggested looking towards Irish culture and history for inspiration. He was particularly drawn to the Irish triskele, an ancient symbol consisting of three interlocking spirals. The triskele, or triskelion, is believed to represent motion and continuity, concepts that resonated deeply with our focus on recycling and sustainability. The triskele's cyclical design symbolized the continuous flow and regenerative cycles akin to the principles of circularity that we championed.
The triskele's historical significance further enriched its appeal. Rooted in ancient Celtic culture, the triskele is one of the oldest symbols of spirituality, representing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. It also signifies the triad nature of life, emphasizing balance and harmony, which are foundational to sustainable practices. Colin’s suggestion sparked enthusiasm within the team, as we saw a profound connection between our goals and the timeless wisdom encapsulated in the triskele.
However, while the triskele was emblematic of our vision, we wanted a name and symbol that also reflected modernity and innovation, key aspects of our research endeavours. This led us to engage with a designer who could help transform the traditional symbol into a contemporary brand identity while preserving its historical and cultural significance. The designer delved into the essence of the triskele, studying its various interpretations and representations throughout history. Through a series of creative iterations, the designer developed a sleek and dynamic version of the triskele. This new design retained the core elements of the original symbol – the three interlocking spirals – but with a more streamlined and fluid aesthetic, representing continuous innovation and progress.
The name "Trisk" was chosen as a shortened, more accessible version of triskele, maintaining a direct connection to the symbol's heritage while being easy to remember and impactful. Trisk not only stood as a name but also as an acronym subtly hinting at our diverse fields of expertise: Technology, Research, Innovation, Sustainability, and Knowledge. Our research now spans across various domains, including developing sustainable business models, advancing IT solutions for environmental monitoring, promoting circular economy principles in entrepreneurship, and creating marketing strategies that emphasize eco-friendly practices. Each project is a testament to our commitment to creating a sustainable future, and the Trisk brand becomes synonymous with cutting-edge research and impactful solutions.
Over time, we intend to forge partnerships with industries, government bodies, and international organizations, amplifying our impact. The brand's emphasis on circularity inspires numerous initiatives aimed at reducing waste, conserving resources, and promoting sustainable practices. Our work not only contributes to academic knowledge but also offers practical solutions that are implemented in real-world scenarios, showcasing the power of interdisciplinary collaboration.
We hope our research journey will continue to inspire others, proving that when diverse minds come together with a common purpose, we can create lasting, positive change.