Ann Mulrooney appointed as Director to Science Gallery Dublin
Trinity College Dublin and the board of Science Gallery Dublin have announced the appointment of Ann Mulrooney, an expert in cross-disciplinary artistic programming, as the new Director of Science Gallery Dublin.
Ann Mulrooney takes on this role at an exciting time in the development of Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin. Science Gallery has firmly established itself as an international leader in the fields of art science and public engagement with science. With over 3.2 million visitors since it opened in 2008, it has demonstrated the interest and appetite among Irish audiences to engage with unique, transdisciplinary exhibitions, events and educational programmes that explore the interface of arts, science, design and technology in connective, participative, and surprising ways. With a growing international impact through the Science Gallery Network — the world’s only international university network dedicated to public engagement with science and art — the organisation is on track to engage millions more creative thinkers and curious minds in the next ten years.
Commenting on the appointment, Andrea Bandelli, Executive Director of Science Gallery International said "Ann comes to Science Gallery Dublin with an outstanding track record in engaging audiences with science, culture and art. With Ann at the helm of our founding member, the Science Gallery Network reaffirms its leading role in reinventing how universities engage with local communities through science and art. We wholeheartedly welcome Ann to the Network and look forward with excitement to be working together.”
Commencing on December 1st, Ann Mulrooney comes to the role with a passion for creating transformative experiences that link science, technology, engineering, art, and design. Initially trained as a sculptor, Ann went on to run the National Design and Craft Gallery from 2009-2013 and the VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art from 2013-2018, where she developed ambitious cross-disciplinary artistic programming in STEM-related areas including digital technologies, augmented reality, architecture, design, science, agriculture, engineering and urban planning, with a particular focus on developing public engagement through socially-engaged practice.
Speaking about her appointment, Ann Mulrooney said “I am delighted to be appointed to lead Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin into its second decade. It has been an innovative and groundbreaking institution since its inception: in its vision, its international impact and its focus on engaging 15-25 year olds as the pioneers of the future. The combination of scientific and artistic research with meaningful public engagement has enormous transformative potential and I look forward to working with Science Gallery’s national and international partners and stakeholders to realise this.
Pioneered by Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin just over a decade ago, the rapid growth of the Science Gallery Network across four continents is testament to its success. This year saw the launch of Science Gallery London at King’s College London, while Science Gallery Melbourne at The University of Melbourne, Science Gallery Bengaluru at the Indian Institute of Science, Science Gallery Venice at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, and Science Gallery Detroit at Michigan State University are all delivering programming to local audiences.