Technology and Climate | PSI Free Public Lecture Series 2025

This was held as a free public event on Wednesday 03 December 2025. This online panel discussion-style lecture explores the complex relationship between technology and the climate. The conversation examines public understanding of climate change, how cutting-edge technologies are both supporting and undermining the climate crisis, what we need to do to create technology that supports rather than hinders pro-environmental possibilities and how we can all be part of creating those possibilities.  Panellists: Dr Sarah Robinson is a Lecturer in the School of Applied Social Studies at UCC's People and Technology group and a researcher affiliated with Lero, Research Ireland's Research Centre for Software. Her interests span life development, qualitative research and responsibility in software development and design. She is interested in emerging critiques of computing as "ecocide" and in thinking through what this means for everyday software users' responsibility in an era of climate crisis. She is also interested in how technology can be harnessed to foster community sustainability.  Dr Desmond O'Mahony is a Scientific Officer in the behavioural research team at the Environmental Protection Agency. Des leads the EPA's Climate Change in the Irish Mind project (CCIM). His role also involves coordinating and promoting behavioural research connected to CCIM, the EPA Research Program, and the National Dialogue on Climate Action. Moderated by: Dr Dean McDonnell is a Lecturer in Psychology at South East Technological University, with a focus on mental health, social cognition, and human interaction with digital technology (for better or worse) and, in general, his work sits somewhere between “that’s pretty useful” and “that’s surprisingly nerdy”. In terms of research focus, Dean explores a range of topics, including digital media, interpersonal relationships, and mental health, as well as co-designing psychoeducational toolkits and resources for vulnerable communities. Dean is currently working with five PhDs on topics related to autism, cancer, physical activity, digital media in early childhood, and inner development goals. He also sits on national and international committees through the Psychological Society of Ireland, and has been lucky enough to represent Irish psychology overseas.