Dr Shirley Coyle is an Associate Professor in the School of Electronic Engineering, DCU. She is a Funded Investigator in the Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics and Chair of the Education and Public Engagement Committee in Insight. Shirley’s main research interest is in smart textiles and wearable sensors to improve health and well-being and sports performance. This involves user centred design, to develop garments that are comfortable to wear, accepted by users and sustainable. As a fashion designer she is pushing the boundaries of novel textiles which can sense, respond and even generate energy. She is also passionate about developing technological solutions to global challenges, particularly global health and environmental factors. Her role as Programme Chair of BSc Global Challenges aligns with her research in sensor technologies, data analytics and IoT to apply innovation and emerging technology to today’s societal challenges.