We’re delighted to introduce the expert judging panel for Wiki Science Ireland 2025, part of the international Wiki Science Competition, celebrating the beauty and diversity of science through photography.
Our judges bring together experience across research, photography, education, and open knowledge, ensuring that each image is evaluated for its scientific relevance, creativity, and technical excellence.
Learn how to enter Wiki Science here.
Introducing the Judging Panel for Wiki Science Ireland 2025
Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research Society, Research Ireland
Dr Abigail Ruth Freeman is the Director of Research for Society at Research Ireland. She oversees Individual-led Research Programmes and Centres for Research Training, Challenge-based Research Programmes and the Education and Public Engagement brief. Ruth is a frequent voice on media and is currently a weekly contributor to The Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk radio. In 2024 she received the Women in STEM Award for Science, recognising her contributions to the field. Prior to her current appointment, Ruth held a series of positions at Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). She was appointed Director of Strategy and Communications in 2013, after previous roles as Director of Innovation, Communications and Education, and Director of Programmes, Enterprise, and International Affairs. Ruth joined SFI as a Scientific Programme Manager in November 2006. Prior to joining the Foundation, she worked as a researcher at Trinity College Dublin. Ruth holds a BA (Mod) and PhD in Genetics and a post-graduate diploma in Statistics from Trinity College Dublin, where she was awarded a Trinity scholarship, the Eli Lilly Chemistry Prize and the Roberts Prize for Biology.
Mark the Science Guy
Head of Science & Sport – Explorium, Education Entrepreneur, Creative Director, Educational Presenter and Producer, Scientist, Broadcaster and STEM Engagement expert, Mark Langtry, aka Mark the Science Guy.
Mark is an award-winning STEM Educator, creator of global STEM exhibitions & educational experiences, and producer of educational shows for TV, stage and digital media.
Shakeela Singh Research Ireland & Science Week Ireland
Shakeela Singh is an Education and Public Engagement Project Officer at Research Ireland, Ireland’s national agency for research and innovation funding. She works on the team responsible for delivering Science Week, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025 and involves an exciting programme of events and activities nationwide.
Their collective expertise spans fields from environmental science to data visualisation, from documentary photography to citizen science, reflecting the multidisciplinary spirit of the competition.
The panel will review all submissions to select the national winners, whose work will go forward to represent Ireland in the international finals.
We extend our gratitude to the judges for their time, knowledge, and enthusiasm for making science visible and accessible to all.
