Research Manager, Life and Health Sciences Unit
Mattia Grandi, from the University of Bologna, joined the Live My Life exchange program and spent a week at University College Dublin (UCD) from February 10th to 15th. During his time at UCD, Mattia worked closely with Pauline Carney, a colleague from UCD's Research Division, to exchange knowledge and best practices related to research impact and funding under the Horizon Europe program. His experience provided him with valuable insights into different approaches to research management, collaboration, and governance structures in academic institutions.
Mattia was eager to learn how UCD’s Research Division manages topics similar to those he handles at the University of Bologna. His main goal was to compare approaches, uncover both similarities and differences, and discover new practices that could enhance his work. A key area of interest was understanding the governance structures within central administration offices at other universities and how these structures influence their operations.
Having already established connections with UCD’s Research Division through previous projects, Mattia was aware of their strong emphasis on research impact. He saw this exchange as a unique opportunity to gather valuable insights and best practices that could help refine and improve his work at the University of Bologna.
This exchange marked Mattia’s first experience with job-shadowing, and he found it extremely rewarding. “Seeing Pauline’s day-to-day activities in action was insightful. It gave me a better understanding of the challenges and solutions they apply at UCD, and it helped me reflect on how we can adapt some of those practices at our own university.”
Mattia gained several important insights during his time in Dublin, particularly regarding projects and initiatives that could be introduced at the University of Bologna. “The Impact Case Study Competition that Pauline is responsible for at UCD is something we don’t have in Bologna, but I think it would be an excellent project to introduce here. I’m excited to explore the possibility of implementing something similar.”
He also appreciated the opportunity to reflect on and discuss different approaches to research impact assessment, which will influence his future work.
While the professional exchange was invaluable, Mattia also embraced the cultural richness of Dublin. “The Live My Life program not only allows you to learn about someone’s job but also provides a unique window into the environment in which they work. UCD’s campus model was quite different from Bologna’s, and I found it interesting to see how a large campus operates, especially in terms of collaboration between students and professionals.”
Beyond the academic setting, Mattia took time to explore Dublin’s historical and cultural highlights. “Dublin is a city steeped in history, and I was fascinated by the opportunity to explore it. Pauline and her colleagues even organized a small cultural tour, which made the entire experience more enriching.”
During his time in Dublin, Mattia experienced a variety of culinary delights, cultural highlights, and historical sites. When reflecting on the food that stood out, the traditional Irish breakfast made a lasting impression, as did the delicious seafood chowder. While he didn’t get the chance to sample Irish whiskey, Mattia is already planning to do so on his next visit.
Culturally, Dublin offered much to explore. The collection of Celtic gold artifacts at the National Museum of Ireland was a standout, providing fascinating insight into Ireland’s rich history. Another memorable experience was a visit to Kilmainham Gaol, a former prison central to Ireland's independence struggle. The guided tour through this historic site deepened his understanding of the pivotal moments in Irish history, making it an unforgettable part of his journey.