Maths Week Ireland co-founder and South East Science Festival director, Dr Donegan, has been honoured yet again for her trojan work in STEM.

The South East Technological University (SETU) Chemistry lecturer and Calmast co-founder has been named the STEM Woman of the Year for 2026 at the Business Post Women in STEM Awards. The Dublin-born and now Waterford-based scientist and educator was singled out for two decades of work in STEM in the community.

Through her leadership at Calmast, SETU’s STEM engagement centre, Maths Week, one of Calmast’s largest programmes, has reached over 4.5 million pupils, earning international recognition for promoting creativity and confidence in maths, particularly among young women.

The latest award comes as Dr Donegan and Eoin Gill and the close-knit team at CALMAST at SETU prepare to host the South East Science Festival, a nine day celebration featuring dozens of science-focused events in Waterford, Carlow and the Suir Valley from November 7 to 15.

A delighted Dr Donegan thanked her colleagues at SETU and at Calmast and said: “I’m thrilled to receive this award and I gratefully accept it on behalf of the entire team at Calmast in recognition of the work we do now and have done in the past. This is very much a team award and a team win.  Everything we do is in partnership with others – with SETU, schools, colleges, local authorities, agencies and industry partners. Without them we couldn’t do the work we do.

“The outreach work we do through Maths Week, Science Week, the Bealtaine Festival and both the Robert Boyle Summer and Winter schools has a profound impact in the community and I thank each and every person and organisation that has worked with us over the years. 2027 will be a landmark year for us as we celebrate the 400^th Anniversary of the birth of Robert Boyle and coordinate events across the world to celebrate his legacy.

Calmast colleague Nollaig Healy was shortlisted in the Women in ESG section at the same Awards. “I’m privileged to work alongside Sheila, Eoin and my other colleagues in CALMAST. Sheila is a brilliant educator and presenter and is incredibly hard-working and innovative, and on a personal level has been a great mentor to me.

“Her work to promote all things STEM through Maths Week, through the imminent South East Science Festival and the many more outreach programmes which she developed over the year reaches everyone from primary school children to retiree audiences. STEM is more accessible and engaging now thanks to people like Sheila who bring it to life and make it relevant and fun. The impact of her work can really be seen across the South East”

Three other SETU team members were also shortlisted in the coveted awards. They included Paula Walsh,  Early Childhood Education SETU Carlow campus; Deirdre Kilbane, the Walton Institute and Frances Hardiman, SETU Carlow campus.

The Women in STEM Awards 2026 celebrate and recognise the incredible achievements and innovations of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in Ireland. The Awards shine a light on the amazing women who are breaking barriers, pushing boundaries, and making a significant impact in their fields.

The annual Awards proudly showcase Ireland’s leading companies and organisations that are creating diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces that allow every employee to thrive, regardless of their background.