Latest news with #UniversityCollegeDublin
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
One Man's Fight To Make Fashion Fair Transparent And Accountable
Hakan Karaosman trailblazer in the sustainability fashion space Dr. Hakan Karaosman did not inherit his authority on fashion from glossy runways or brand legacies. He earned it, thread by thread by starting in a small home where his mother sewed garments to keep the family afloat. Today, as a globally recognized voice in sustainable fashion and responsible supply chain management, Karaosman is using that early proximity to labor and dignity to reshape an industry long defined by opacity, exploitation, and exclusion. Currently serving as Associate Professor at Politecnico di Milano, with a Visiting Scholar role at University College Dublin, Karaosman stands at the critical intersection of academia, policy, and industry. His research, policy influence, and grassroots collaborations have made him one of the most trusted experts among brands and institutions striving to future-proof their operations, not through superficial ESG statements, but through structural reform. While his résumé reads like a checklist of global impact and includes co-founder of the EU-backed FReSCH (Fashion's Responsible Supply Chain Hub), former Associate Professor at Cardiff Business School, scientific partner to the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network, collaborator with brands like Prada and Salvatore Ferragamo, his mission remains deeply personal: to center the garment workers, especially women in the Global South, whose hands and lives hold up the multi-trillion-dollar fashion industry. From Engineer to a Voice for the Vulnerable in the Fashion Sector Karaosman's story defies the sanitized, feel-good narratives often found in sustainability marketing. Trained first as an environmental engineer, he went on to earn an Erasmus Mundus Master's in energy and environmental management across Spain, France, and Sweden. His Ph.D. is a double doctorate jointly awarded by Politecnico di Milano and Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and deeply focused on sustainability integration in luxury fashion supply chains. In a sector where much of sustainability work is reduced to carbon counting and marketing campaigns, Karaosman champions a people-first approach. Through FReSCH, he has built a global coalition of NGOs, workers, researchers, creatives, and policymakers to address not just climate and compliance, but heat stress in garment factories, governance failures, and the invisibility of labor. Its policy insights have informed initiatives led by the European Commission, Welsh Government, and UN bodies. Furthermore, its academic work has been downloaded thousands of times and translated into industry tools. From Engineer to top voice in fashion equity A Voice in Sustaible Fashion And Equity Karaosman's work has garnered prestigious accolades from across the sustainability and fashion landscape. Recently, his work also left a lasting imprint on the five-part Forbes series on sustainable fashion, where his voice helped illuminate the systemic reforms needed to achieve real equity and climate accountability in global supply chains. He was named to the Vogue Business 100 Innovators: Class of 2023, received the Greenpeace Italia Voice for the Climate Award, and earned Cardiff University's Excellence in Sustainability Award. Most recently, FReSCH was honored with the Financial Times Responsible Business Education Award, recognized for transforming academic insights into real-world tools that shape policy and industry practice. Upcoming Work and Fashion Impact Dr. Karaosman's upcoming work at Politecnico di Milano zeroes in on three of the fashion industry's most stubborn fault lines: social justice, decarbonization, and supply chain resilience. His teaching on sustainability and management in high-end industries incorporates systems thinking, inclusive leadership, and actionable strategy which prepares students not just to enter industry, but to change it. As part of his broader engagement, Karaosman continues to lead high-impact convenings from Milan Fashion Week to TEDx stages, where garment workers sit at the same table as luxury executives and government ministers. Which is a deliberate restructuring of who gets to speak, shape, and benefit. In an industry too often distracted by aesthetic over substance, Dr. Hakan Karaosman is the rare figure weaving academic rigor, lived truth, and collective action in a system where justice is not just a feature, it is the foundation of sustainability and innovation.
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Can you get your glow back with collagen?
Hailed as an elixir of youth, collagen has got TikTok influencers enthusing about how it reduces wrinkles and firms up sagging skin. On Instagram, there are more than 13m hashtags linked to posts claiming that collagen drinks, peptides, and powders help with everything from painful muscles to aching joints. Celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston and Kate Hudson, have publicly said that collagen supplements have helped keep their skin looking youthful and smooth. And Bryan Johnson, the tech entrepreneur who is devoting a significant amount of his time and $400m fortune to trying to prolong his life, takes 25g of collagen peptides every day as part of that quest. Prof Caitríona Ryan, a consultant dermatologist and a clinical professor at University College Dublin, explains that collagen is 'the most abundant protein in the human body and the primary structural protein in the skin, providing strength, support, and elasticity.' Caitríona Ryan, a consultant dermatologist and a clinical professor at University College Dublin, explains that collagen is 'the most abundant protein in the human body and the primary structural protein in the skin, providing strength, support, and elasticity.' Scientists have identified 28 different types of collagen. Ryan is most interested in type 1 because it accounts for over 80% of the collagen found in adult skin and is key to maintaining its firmness, resilience, and youthful appearance. The problem is that natural collagen production slows with age. 'It declines by approximately 1% per year from our mid-20s, leading to a gradual loss of skin elasticity and thinning of the dermis,' says Ryan. 'This decline contributes to the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, and visible sagging.' Women are especially hit hard during their perimenopausal years when oestrogen levels begin to fall, accelerating the decline in collagen production. Ryan cites research shows how women lose approximately 30% of their skin's collagen content in the first five years after menopause, followed by a further 2% per year thereafter. 'This sudden drop in dermal collagen is one of the key reasons why many women notice visible skin laxity, wrinkling, and jowling emerging around this stage of life,' she says. 'Collagen loss plays such a visible role in the ageing process.' Collagen supplements claim to compensate for this loss, and as a result, have become a big business. According to the research and consulting firm Future Market Insights, the global collagen market size was valued at $1.655bn in 2024 and is expected to reach $3.089bn by 2034. No such thing as a magic pill A Google search shows numerous options for those who want to experience the benefits of collagen in Ireland. These range from liquid supplements made from freshwater fish, costing €69.98 for a monthly supply, to strawberry-flavoured collagen gummies that cost €29 for a container of 60, and bovine collagen tablets priced at €10.99 for a pack of 30. The collagen in the plethora of products now available typically comes from cows, chicken, pigs, or fish and has been hydrolysed so that it's broken down into more easily absorbed molecules called peptides. Ryan believes this form of collagen can play a role in improving the appearance of the skin. 'Oral collagen peptides, when taken in hydrolysed form, are absorbed into the bloodstream and have been shown to stimulate fibroblast activity in the dermis,' she says. 'This encourages the skin to produce more of its own collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, all of which are essential for maintaining volume, firmness, and hydration.' Studies into the effects of collagen supplementation on skin health have been limited in scale to date, but the results so far suggest supplements are effective. For example, a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology in 2019 showed a significant reduction in facial wrinkles and improvements in skin elasticity in 805 people taking collagen peptides. However, a collagen supplement will never be enough by itself. Ryan says maintaining healthy and youthful skin takes more than popping a pill. 'There is strong clinical evidence to support the use of hydrolysed collagen peptides to help restore the structural and mechanical integrity of the skin,' she says. 'However, the most important steps we can take are daily sun protection, a scientifically formulated topical skincare regimen, and a healthy lifestyle that includes a nutrient-rich diet, adequate sleep and avoidance of smoking. These are the foundations of long-term skin health and remain essential at every stage of life.' Dietitian and founder of the Dublin Nutrition Centre Aveen Bannon says the collagen we consume in the form of supplements, powders, and drinks may be converted into another form of protein in the body once it's digested. The body's building blocks There is no guarantee that the body will utilise collagen it ingests through supplements to improve the skin. Dietitian and founder of the Dublin Nutrition Centre Aveen Bannon says the collagen we consume in the form of supplements, powders, and drinks may be converted into another form of protein in the body once it's digested. 'Our bodies make collagen from amino acids along with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, zinc, and copper,' she says. 'We can also consume collagen either from food or supplements. But when we do, the body breaks it down into building blocks called amino acids, which don't automatically become collagen to be used in the skin. The body determines how to utilise these building blocks; sometimes for collagen, sometimes for other proteins that it requires at that time.' A far safer bet for anyone aiming to enhance their skin's appearance would be to focus on improving their diet. 'Eat enough protein,' says Bannon. 'This means lean meat, fish, dairy, beans, nuts, tofu, and tempeh. Eat plenty of vitamin C-rich foods too. You'll find it in fruits and vegetables. Don't forget zinc and copper, which are to be found in nuts, seeds, and seafood. Make sure you eat oily fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts for their healthy omega-3 fats. And drink enough water.' She also recommends staying active, as exercise plays a role in maintaining healthy skin, and limiting alcohol consumption. Fergal J O'Brien is a professor of bioengineering and regenerative medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the head of a tissue engineering research group that develops implants to help repair damaged or diseased tissues. Collagen isn't simply a skincare ingredient. He says that there may be evidence showing that type 1 collagen can reverse some of the impact of ageing on the skin, but there is far more scientific evidence demonstrating the importance of type 2 and other types of collagen in other parts of the body. 'Collagen makes up the building blocks and the scaffolding of the body in many ways,' says O'Brien. 'And as a result, it's found in all of its tissues and organs. For example, it gives bones their tensile strength, which is what allows them to stretch or flex without breaking. Without collagen, they would be really brittle.' His research group engineers collagen so that it can be used to repair bone, cartilage, nerves and skin. 'Say, you've got a wound that won't heal that's caused by a cut, a burn, or a chronic condition like diabetes,' he says. 'A skin graft is painful and people only have so much skin available. We turn collagen, which we take from cattle, into a sponge-like material that we lay as a bandage over the wound. Because collagen is natural, it will degrade into the body over time but as it does, it will function as an environment for cells to attach to and grow and lay down new tissue.' Much more to learn Hongyun Tai works with a research team at University College Dublin that is investigating how collagen can be used in medicine. She is also the managing director of Blafar, a Dublin-based biotech company specialising in the development of medical-grade collagen products. 'While collagen is widely marketed for its skincare benefits, it has far broader physiological significance,' she says. 'It supports joint function and cushions cartilage. It contributes to the strength and flexibility of tendons and ligaments. It assists in muscle regeneration and repair and it plays a role in wound healing and repair. These are the reasons why collagen supplements and collagen-stimulating therapies are being investigated for potential benefits in managing joint paint, improving recovery from sports injuries and even aiding in post-surgical tissue regeneration.' There is significant international interest in exploring whether collagen can help athletes recover from injury or even improve athletic performance. Scientists are also investigating whether supplementing with the protein could reduce joint stiffness and the function of muscles and tendons in the elderly, making them less vulnerable to falls and resulting injuries. The research findings to date are promising. A 2021 British review examined studies in recreational athletes and the elderly, and found evidence that collagen is beneficial in improving joint functionality and reducing joint pain. An Australian study published in 2016 found that collagen supplements reduced the pain associated with osteoarthritis, the most common joint disease affecting the elderly worldwide. Bannon, who takes collagen herself because she believes it improves her skin, says there is still a lot to learn about the protein. 'My advice would always be to focus on food and lifestyle first,' she says. 'But collagen supplements are generally safe and may be of benefit to people's skin and joints, although the effects are typically mild and may take time to be noticeable. If someone chooses to try them, I suggest they pick a good quality, trusted brand, take them for four to six weeks and see if they notice any difference.' Who's who in the world of collagen products? Cork-based GP and women's health specialist Dr Doireann O'Leary has developed Supplements Made Simple. From doctors to Hollywood actresses and influencers, people from many walks of life are developing health and beauty products based on this potent protein. Cork-based GP and women's health specialist Dr Doireann O'Leary has developed Supplements Made Simple. This range includes a product combining marine collagen with vitamin C, which claims to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles while increasing skin elasticity. Herology is the women's supplements brand created by Dr Michelle Hone, who got her PhD in nutrition from Dublin City University and went on to found The Fit Clinic, and Dr Sarah Kelly, a clinical exercise physiologist and former assistant professor in health and human performance at DCU. They have created a tailored collagen supplement for skin, hair, and nails. It contains vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and marine collagen. Jennifer Aniston claims to have been adding collagen powder from a company called Vital Proteins to her morning coffee since 2016. She was so taken with its effects that she became an ambassador for the brand and its lead creative in 2020. Just this year, Ireland's own Vogue Williams became another of these brand's ambassadors and has since posted on her social media platforms about how adding a few scoops to her morning coffee helps her feel and look her best. Limerick-based movement coach Leonie Lynch was an early adopter. When she was pregnant with her second child in 2016, she began developing a collagen and cacao protein blend to nourish her body. It's now widely sold as the Juspy Superfood blend and is designed to be used in shakes, coffees, overnight oats or even hot chocolate.
Spectator
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Spectator
Britain fought on the wrong side of the first world war
It's more than two months since I returned from Dublin, and at last the hangover is beginning to fade. I flew out with our team at The Rest is History to record a series about the Irish War of Independence and Civil War. Our guests were Paul Rouse, a professor at University College Dublin and former manager of Offaly's Gaelic football team, and Ronan McGreevy, an Irish Times journalist and author of a terrific book about the murder of Sir Henry Wilson. On the first night Ronan took us for an excellent curry; on the second, Paul organised a pub crawl. Well, I say a crawl, but in truth we barely got beyond the first pub, the Gravediggers, which is just a few hundred yards from the graves of Michael Collins and Eamon de Valera. I'm pleased to report that we more than held our own, and there are some excellent pictures of our producers, Theo and Tabby, after sinking a few dozen pints. But one member of the team was missing, having flown home immediately after the recording because he didn't 'really have the stamina for a pub crawl'. Listeners to the show can probably guess who that was. Some readers may be wondering if there is anything going on in my life apart from the podcast. The answer, by and large, is no. Indeed, as if I wasn't already spending enough time behind a microphone, I've recently been working on a new project: a books podcast with our producer Tabby. This week we're recording an episode about Albert Camus's novel L'Étranger, a book I adored as a student. Preparing to re-read it for the first time in 20 years, I actually felt a little nervous. Would it prove as intense and profound as I remembered, or is it really just a book for miserable teenagers? One thing I found unexpectedly fascinating was the problem of translation. In the United States the book is known as The Stranger, but in Britain it's The Outsider. But neither quite captures the ambiguity of the French étranger. And then there's that famous first sentence: 'Aujourd'hui, maman est morte.' How do you translate that crucial word maman? 'Mother' is surely far too formal, but 'mummy' doesn't sound right at all. The recent Penguin translation by Sandra Smith – which is excellent, by the way – opts for 'my mother', but I think that's quite a departure from Camus's original. 'Mama', perhaps? But who uses 'mama' these days? Suggestions on a postcard, please. Although my life sometimes feels like one recording after another, as if I'm podcasting's answer to Camus's Sisyphus, there has been a dramatic new development. We moved house a few weeks ago and have been forced to confront some harsh home truths. First, the number of boxes of unread books is a disgrace by any standards. Second, if my career as a historian doesn't work out, I could make a small fortune selling chargers for bits of electronic equipment that were last used when people cared about the millennium bug. And most importantly, the mystery of what happened to our money has at last been solved, since it's now clear that my wife spent it on glass jars. A dozen jars might seem reasonable, 20 a little excessive, 30 rather over the top. But 70? How many different kinds of rice can there be? And how could she genuinely believe that we'll find the time to decant each packet into its own jar, instead of piling them up to gather dust at the back of the cupboard, like normal people? In some parallel universe a version of me is unpacking vast quantities of books. But I've been distracted by something much more exciting – the Herculean task of getting ready for our summer holiday. In many ways I enjoy this even more than the expedition itself. Each element of the build-up has become a time-honoured ritual, as on Cup Final morning in the mid-1980s. Every year I look forward to the purchase of a new shirt, almost identical to one I already own; the desperate hunt for last summer's sunglasses, bought at great expense but destined never to be seen again; and above all, the final touches to my spreadsheet, to eradicate any last trace of spontaneity or joy. Fortunately, this particular holiday should be entirely joy-free, since we are recreating the last journey of Archduke Franz Ferdinand from Vienna down the Adriatic coast to Sarajevo in 1914. The whole enterprise will be haunted by regret, since the Archduke's murder meant he was never able to implement his dream of a federal United States of Greater Austria, stretching from Trento and Trieste to Lviv and Brasov. When I think what a tremendous country that would have been, I feel even more ashamed that we fought on the wrong side after his death. The chance to stand up to terrorism and finish off the French for good, and we blew it! Madness.
Wales Online
11-07-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Surgeon struck off after blaming mistakes on 'noise from outside'
Surgeon struck off after blaming mistakes on 'noise from outside' The surgeon, who used to treat patients in south Wales, 'would undoubtedly present a risk to patient safety', a panel found Stock image of a surgeon (Image: Western Mail ) A surgeon who used to treat patients in Wales has been struck off after a disastrous performance in a skills retest. Dr Elroy Weledji blamed his assessment failure on "football fans making noise" outside. Dr Weledji, originally from Cameroon, qualified as a doctor in 1992 from University College Dublin and went on to practise in Monmouthshire and other parts of the UK. His roles included training in surgery and working as a specialist registrar. His problems began when he was working in Scotland and a colleague made a complaint about his performance. An assessment by the General Medical Council (GMC) in 2001 concluded there were "widespread deficiencies" in his skills, including his ability to "work within laws" and his "respect for patients". For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . In the following years he failed to "take steps to improve his performance", according to a 2004 medical tribunal which suspended his registration indefinitely. Five years later he applied for the suspension to be revoked but again a tribunal found no evidence of improvement. Two years ago Dr Weledji made another attempt. He told the GMC he had left the UK around 20 years earlier and wanted to return to the country to practise surgery for the rest of his working life. He claimed he had been victim to racial discrimination in the UK and that his career had flourished since returning home to Cameroon, where he had become a professor of surgery and a gastrointestinal surgeon in a regional hospital. Article continues below Dr Weledji told the GMC his "downfall" in the UK had been orchestrated by an NHS consultant with a vendetta. He alleged he had complained to the GMC about the consultant's attitude and that this had resulted in him being forced to take a proficiency exam. The GMC recently agreed to let Dr Weledji take a three-day performance assessment overseen by two experienced surgeons. He was assessed as a consultant general surgeon with an interest in colorectal surgery. The exam took place at a hospital in Wigan and involved surgery on frozen corpses as well as simulated patient encounters. Dr Weledji was found to have made "serious and persistent errors" and displayed "unsafe" open surgical skills. In a real scenario, patients would have been put in "jeopardy", the assessors concluded. Responding to the findings, Dr Weledji claimed he had been affected by "football fans making noise" outside the assessment venue. He also said he had been hungry. Dr Weledji accepted he did not raise these complaints at the time, while the assessors pointed out he had been given lunch and regular breaks. This month a medical practitioners tribunal panel agreed to strike Dr Weledji's from the GMC register. Chairwoman Ruona Iguyovwe said: "There was some evidence that he accepted that his clinical skills might not be up to the UK standard now required. In this regard he acknowledged that, if allowed to return to practise medicine in the UK, he would need some level of supervision. Article continues below "Dr Weledji told the tribunal that a professor at Kings College would be able to provide that supervisory and mentoring role. However, the tribunal received no objective evidence, such as a letter or testimonial from the professor, to support Dr Weledji's assertion." She added: "There is no evidence before the tribunal to show that he has taken any steps or any adequate steps to address wider concerns raised in the performance assessment that was carried out in 2024. Were he to be allowed to resume unrestricted practice as a surgeon in the UK, he would undoubtedly present a risk to patient safety."
Irish Times
08-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
More than 100 calls over suspected mushroom poisoning made to Irish helpline
More than 100 calls were made to the National Poisons Information Centre (NPIC) over suspected mushroom poisoning during the past two years. There were 45 calls relating to 40 cases made in 2024 and 57 calls relating to 51 cases in 2023. Half of the 51 cases in 2023 were asymptomatic when the NPIC was contacted. Of those who showed symptoms, they had repeated vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain and fever. A spokesperson for the NPIC at Beaumont Hospital said autumn is the most common period for mushroom calls, with a 'peak' occurring in October. READ MORE The world's most toxic mushrooms, amanita phalloides, have been in the news recently. On Monday, an Australian woman was found guilty of murdering three of her estranged husband's relatives by deliberately serving them the poisonous mushrooms for lunch. In 2023, Erin Patterson served her husband's family beef wellingtons that were later found to have contained amanita phalloides, commonly known as death cap mushrooms. These can cause kidney and liver failure hours after consumption. [ Death cap mushrooms: Are they in Ireland and how do you spot them? Opens in new window ] Bill O'Dea, who studied fungi at University College Dublin and now runs wild mushrooms 'hunts' in Ireland, said death cap mushrooms are fairly common across the country, with 'loads around Wicklow'. He noted they typically have white gills, which are the thin structures on the underside of the mushroom's cap. They also have a white stem with a ring on it. 'There are thousands of mushrooms in Ireland – up to 15,000. Of those, there [are] probably 50 that are poisonous, but of those probably eight of them are deadly,' he said. [ Death cap mushrooms: Are they in Ireland and how do you spot them? Opens in new window ] Other toxic mushrooms in Ireland include the destroying angel, the deadly webcap and the false morel, he said. The NPIC said it is 'easy to confuse edible and toxic mushroom species', while getting a mushroom's identification wrong 'can have serious health consequences'. The NPIC take calls from members of the public from 8am to 7pm each day.
