Year-end takeaway: Silicon Republic’s top story choices of 2017


22 Dec 2017

Image: Nadezda Murmakova/Shutterstock

As we prepare to bow out for a well-earned rest, the Siliconrepublic.com team has selected its favourite sci-tech stories from 2017.

Dear Dublin, you are in danger of no longer being fun or fair

Dear Dublin, you are in danger of no longer being fun or fair

Dublin’s Ha’penny Bridge. Image: Kraft_Stoff/Shutterstock

Dublin is Europe’s digital capital and it stands to gain from Brexit. But it also runs the risk of losing its fair and fun side, writes editor John Kennedy.

Indigenous women and science knowledge: The first voice and climate change

Valerie Kasaiyian (left), of Kenya, addresses a press conference on the empowerment of indigenous women at the United Nations, New York, March 2016

Valerie Kasaiyian (left), of Kenya, addresses a press conference on the empowerment of indigenous women at the United Nations, New York, March 2016. Image: UN photo/Eskinder Debebe

It is with great pride that we present the publication of Irene Fogarty’s award-winning essay as the inaugural recipient of the Mary Mulvihill Memorial Award.

Inside a Finnish school: What Finland can teach the world about education

Inside a Finnish school: What Finland can teach the world about education

Kirsi Haapamäki from Mightifier (in grey top) and a typical class at Kalastama Elementary School, Helsinki. Image: John Kennedy

What is the secret to the success of the Finnish education system? John Kennedy discovers that the answer lies in diversity, inclusion and equality.

How Clue is using data science to revolutionise female health

Marija Vlajic-Wheeler

Marija Vlajic-Wheeler, senior data scientist at Clue. Image: Deliberate PR

Menstrual-tracking app Clue is using data to help users get to know their bodies better, advancing health research at the same time. Ellen Tannam decided to find out a little more.

The grids are all right: Robots have never and will never steal jobs

The grids are all right: Robots have never and will never steal jobs

Image: Eric Limon/Shutterstock

It’s unlikely that robots are going to bring Oscar Wilde’s work-free creative socialist utopia into being, writes Eva Short.

No More Boys and Girls: Dismantling the gender gap starts in childhood

No More Boys and Girls: Dismantling the gender gap starts in childhood

In treating boys and girls differently, are we perpetuating gender inequality? Image: Pressmaster/Shutterstock

Revelatory BBC documentary No More Boys and Girls shows how our micro-behaviours toward children perpetuate an unequal society, writes managing editor Elaine Burke.

Blockchain 2.0: How it could overhaul the fabric of democracy and identity

Electronic voting

Person voting electronically. Image: Rob Crandall/Shutterstock

Those following the latest technology in fintech will no doubt have heard about blockchain, but its reach could extend to everything we know. Colm Gorey reports.

Meet the woman trying to push through Ireland’s first national space law

Laura Keogh

Laura Keogh of MHL-Law. Image: Laura Keogh

Laura Keogh is one of Ireland’s leading lights when it comes to the world of space law, and she’s keen to ensure we’re ready for the future, writes Colm Gorey.

Imposter syndrome: How to deal with feeling like a failure at work

Imposter syndrome

Image: Amnaj Khetsamtip/Shutterstock

Do you doubt yourself in work? Sports psychologist Gerry Hussey is here to talk you through dealing with imposter syndrome, with some help from Careers editor Jenny Darmody.

14 role models for women who want a career in STEM

14 role models for women who want a career in STEM

Image: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

There’s no doubt about the fact that we need more women in STEM. We know that. Luckily, so do these amazing role models. Jenny Darmody rounds up 14 of the best.