A conference was held in RCSI today to showcase the joint research projects from the 3U N-STEP initiative. The 3U N-STEP is a national initiative established by the 3U Partnership between DCU, NUI Maynooth and RCSI to advance teaching and learning in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The aim of the first strand of the 3U N-STEP initiative is to support research into teaching and learning practices of STEM subjects at university level. The collaborative research projects, which were supported by the 3U Partnership, were showcased in RCSI today.

Eight research projects were undertaken, involving 25 researchers from across the three partner institutions: Dublin City University, NUI Maynooth and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Each successful project involves researchers from at least two of the partner institutions.

Speaking at the conference Dr Ruth Davis, Director of the 3U Partnership, said: "The 3U N-STEP initiative goes to the heart of what our three Partner Institutions are about - educating students. Through the 3U Partnership, we are seeking to be the very best at educating all of the students that come through the doors of each of our institutions."

The diverse range of research across the 3U N-STEP projects includes interdisciplinary communication, cultural intelligence, attendance, opportunities for creative reasoning, building mathematical knowledge for teaching, exploring student expectations, the use of smart devices, and the role of metacognition in mathematical problem solving.

Prof Teresa Pawlikowska, Professor of Health Professions Education RCSI, gave the keynote address at the conference, highlighting the potential benefits of multidisciplinary collaboration in research.