27/08/2026
After 6-months of exchanging ideas and learning from each other, our writer-scientist groups presented at the Writing Place Writing Planet showcase in The Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) on August 17th as part of National Heritage Week.
All we can say is, Wow.
The evening included readings of new written works, folk music, science animations, visual artwork, reflections, ancient fossils and even some curious objects found on Antarctic ice! It was truly special.
The new written works include:
Zoë Comyn’s Overflow - a creative non-fiction piece telling the story of limestone cave formation and human connection with interweaved memories of place, family and the deep emotions that come along with them. This writing was inspired by research on oceans, groundwater and limestone systems carried out by Ankit Swaraj and Morgane Bellec.
Otto Goodwin’s Microbial Processes - a series of poems that delve into the complexity, necessity and unconventional beauty of decay and decomposition in the natural world. This writing was inspired by research on carbon cycles, ancient life and fossilisation carried out by Silvia Caldararu and Tiffany Slater.
June Caldwell’s Continent 7 - a short story that captures the gripping experience of a field scientist in Antarctica, exploring the intermingled feelings of wonder, isolation, fear and boldness that it brings. This writing was inspired by research on climate change, glaciation, the origins of life and the potential for extraterrestrial life carried out by Gordon Bromley and Sean Jordan.
This programme has brought home the value of merging science and art, allowing scientists to explore their creativity and inspiring writers to incorporate science in their work. At MoLI, the works presented reminded us that we’re all human and we all share this planet, trying our best to make sense of it in whatever ways we can.
We have no doubt that these collaborations will continue to inspire new ideas long into the future. A massive thank you to UCD Mary Lavin Centre for Creative Writing for being our partners in this EPE programme, to the entire team for a wonderful 6-months and of course to all who came and supported the showcase!
