Research
IIESMS research activities and contributions to professional knowledge.
IIESMS Research and Policy Development
IIESMS contributes to industry research and policy development across its five professional sectors: industrial engineering, fire safety, facilities management, safety and health, and healthcare. Through its sector committees and working groups, the Institute engages with government departments, regulatory bodies, and European partners on matters affecting the engineering and safety professions in Ireland.
The Institute's research activities are driven by the practical needs of its membership. Research topics are identified through sector group discussions, member feedback, and engagement with regulatory developments. The goal is not academic research in isolation but applied research that improves professional practice, informs policy, and advances standards across the disciplines served by IIESMS.
IIESMS encourages members to participate in research initiatives and supports the publication of findings that advance professional practice. The Institute also responds to government consultations and contributes expert input to the development of national and EU policy on engineering, workplace safety, fire protection, and healthcare standards.
Research Focus Areas
IIESMS research spans all five specialist disciplines, addressing the practical challenges and emerging developments in each sector.
Industrial Engineering Research
Applied research into manufacturing processes, automation, lean engineering, digital transformation, and industry best practice for Irish industrial engineers. Includes collaboration with European partners through Erasmus+ projects.
Fire Safety Research
Contributing to the development and review of fire safety standards, codes of practice, and regulatory guidance. Research topics include fire risk assessment methodology, fire detection technology, passive fire protection performance, and healthcare fire safety.
Workplace Safety Research
Research on occupational health and safety topics including risk management methodologies, safety culture, accident causation, and the effectiveness of safety management systems in Irish industry.
Healthcare Engineering Research
Research into healthcare facility design, medical equipment management, patient safety systems, and the engineering aspects of infection prevention and control in hospitals and care settings.
Facilities Management Research
Applied research into building performance, energy efficiency, maintenance optimisation, workplace design, and the impact of facilities management on organisational productivity and employee wellbeing.
European Collaborative Research
Joint research through Erasmus+ partnerships with UBT Kosovo, University of Coimbra, and University of Barcelona, developing shared knowledge and professional development resources for engineering and safety practitioners.
Published Research by IIESMS Members
IIESMS Council members have contributed to peer-reviewed academic publications that directly inform the Institute's professional development activities. These outputs demonstrate the calibre of expertise within the Institute's leadership and the practical relevance of its research engagement.
Council members C.-Andreas Dalluege and Prof. John Wells co-authored Navigating an EU Research Project: Managing Challenges to Deliver Success, published by Springer in December 2024. The book draws on their experience managing the Work-Life-Flow Erasmus+ project and provides practical guidance for researchers and project managers working on multi-partner European research initiatives.
C.-Andreas Dalluege co-edited Organisational Excellence and Resilience: Stress Management as a Component of a Sustainable Corporate Development Strategy, published by Springer in 2022. This work examines how organisations can build resilience through systematic approaches to workplace stress, a topic with direct relevance to safety and health practitioners across IIESMS membership.
John Wells and Andreas Dalluege also co-authored A Systematic Review of the Impact of Remote Working Referenced to the Concept of Work-Life Flow on Physical and Psychological Health, published in SAGE Journals in 2023. The review addresses the health implications of remote working practices, providing an evidence base for organisational policy development in the post-pandemic workplace.
The Work-Life-Flow project, coordinated through the Erasmus+ programme with partners in Ireland, Germany, Kosovo, Portugal, and Spain, developed assessment tools and e-learning resources that are now used across five European countries. This project exemplifies how IIESMS research translates into practical professional development resources with international reach.
Members can contribute to IIESMS research and policy work through their sector group committees. If you are conducting research relevant to any of the five IIESMS disciplines, the Institute welcomes opportunities to share and promote your findings through its events programme. Contact your sector group committee chair or the Institute at [email protected] to discuss research opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about IIESMS research and policy work
Applied, practice-oriented research that improves professional standards, informs policy, and advances knowledge in the Institute's five disciplines. Both individual member research and collaborative sector group projects are supported.
Engage through your sector group committee, contribute to working groups, prepare discussion papers, or present findings at sector events. Contact [email protected] to discuss opportunities.
IIESMS participates in Erasmus+ projects with university partners in Kosovo, Portugal, and Spain, developing shared curricula and research resources for engineering and safety professionals.
Yes. Research activities including literature reviews, data collection, analysis, publication, and presentations are recognised as CPD activities within the IIESMS framework.
IIESMS research is primarily member-driven, but the Institute collaborates with academic institutions, government bodies, and European partners on joint research initiatives.
Research findings inform IIESMS submissions to government consultations and contribute to the evidence base for policy recommendations made through the Institute's advocacy activities.
Get involved
IIESMS engages in applied research through European projects and sector group initiatives. Contact [email protected].