The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted and changed society as we once knew it. Certain industries have experienced extensive closures while health services operated night and day to protect and save citizens - but this isn’t the first time the world has experienced a pandemic and it certainly won’t be the last. What tactics did we use to tackle the virus and how can we use our learnings to futureproof society against subsequent threats?

Orla Sheils has a Ph.D. in Molecular Pathology from Trinity College Dublin and a MA in Medical Law and Ethics from King's College London. She is a leader in multidisciplinary molecular pathology, who has championed a niche area facilitating interaction between basic science, translational research, clinical service provision and biotechnology. She has a particular interest in developing novel molecular diagnostics, and she works closely with industry bringing novel technologies and applications to the translational research setting. Her research strategy is to improve human health and wellbeing through translational research, and it is predicated on clinical, patient centred, laboratory-based and health service research informed by real-world clinical bedside problems and societal and global health challenges.

Noel McCarthy is the Professor of Population Health Medicine at Trinity College Dublin. His principal research focus is on infectious disease epidemiology with broader interests in applying research methods to public health problems. His teaching goal is to facilitate students to learn by thinking and reflective experience, whether that be specific and technical such as how to think as an epidemiologist or more general such as reflecting on how power structures in society affect the distribution of health and wellbeing.

Tara Stewart is a DJ, Podcast Host, Slow Fashion lover and Radio Presenter of the New Music Show on RTE 2FM. When she’s not gracing the national airwaves, Tara can be found DJ-ing at high profile gigs including top festivals like Electric Picnic, Longitude, Forbidden Fruit or supporting Cher in the 3 Arena, Dublin in 2019. 2020 saw her become the September cover star of Women’s magazine, Stellar Mag for a sustainable fashion special.