2018: A Year when Hugging became the new Hustling

As 2018 ends, I have never felt richer. This is not because of my earnings in euros or pounds, shares and bonuses. I feel wealthy because of all the people with whom, I’ve hugged, listened, laughed, bounced around ideas, collaborated, organised events, showcased innovations and developed digital products. I am grateful to be surrounded by others who share similar values and are determined to channel skills, energy and technology to improve ourselves, our communities, cities and planet. The greatest obstacle we face is apathy, cynicism, overwhelm and lack of hope. We draw inspiration and strength from each other. The age of hustling, individualism and competition is over.  

Some of my proudest moments of 2018 year include:

(1) Meeting the Next Generation of Digital Champions. Fantastic to speak to young people and teachers from across Ireland showcasing their tech for good projects at event organised by Department of Communication, Climate Action and Environment. On the day I was interviewed by the Young and Irish Media Team

(2) On Judging Panel for Techies in Residence Pitches at Digital DNA Conference. It was a pleasant change to be on the other side of the table, listening to, rather than making pitches. Techies in Residence places and funds techies to work with not-for-profits to develop innovative products and is a really interesting model for knowledge transfer.

• (3) Taking part in Panel Discussions on whether Tech is a Friend or Foe. Also enjoyed contributing to panel discussions about positive and negative impact of technology on society; at Digital DNA took part in panel chaired by Andrew McCracken, from Community Foundation NI and later in summer at panel as part of DemCom International Conference (founded by Roslyn Fuller). Not hard to guess which side of debates I was on!

(4) Playing a Role in Cultivating The Good Summit. So proud to have been one of the cultivators of The Good Summit, one of the most positive events of 2018, dreamt up by Jools Hamilton and Amr Dawood. It was great to meet again Matt Callanan, from BBC Blast days and to chair Tech for Good panel with Lye Ogunsanya, Leonard Hobbs and Talita Holzer from Way2B.

(5) Building the Momentum of Tech for Good Dublin. This grassroots movement, founded by myself and Ellen Ward, has grown in 2018 to a community with over 1350 techies, designers, social innovators and change makers. It was wonderful to receive recognition, when shortlisted for an Irish Red Cross Innovation for Change Award. Very much a team effort with input from so many people including Christine Nsubuga, Andy O'Sullivan and ongoing support from Liberty IT and AIB. 

(6) Sharing My Story as Keynote Speaker at Girl Crew Event.  Really grateful for the positive feedback about presentation covering the story of my career, from working at the BBC as a Senior Digital Producer, to setting up my own company Digital Doddle and the role of tech and digital media in creating positive social change.  

(7) Being the First Presenter at the Spark Innovation Health Summit, hosted by NDTP. I passionately believe that tech needs to play a significant role in transforming and improving health care. I was honoured but slightly scared (imposter syndrome) to share my perspective on the factors that support ethical innovation, to audience of doctors, medical educators and health service managers. 

(8) Transforming the Foyer of Dublin City Corporation into Zen Like Sanctuary. Great to collaborate with Dave Pollard, Gene Murphy and Vicky Twomey-Lee as part of Startup Week Dublin and host an event promoting a code for wellness for entrepreneurs, facilitated by Treasa Spragg  (sleep), Colm Fallon (meditation) and Emilia Krysztofiak (yoga).

(9) Developing Digital Learning Products for Amazing Clients. Very grateful to have the opportunity to develop digital learning products and resources that contribute to medical education and patient engagement. These include videos and infographics produced with Dr Terri McVeigh, to empower women with BRCA gene alterations, and animations to education patients on the role of DNA testing in diagnosis, created with Dr Sally Lynch.

(10) Taking the Web Summit by Storm with Group of Women in Tech from Ireland. I attended the Web Summit in Lisbon for the first time as part of a group of Women in Tech from Ireland, who travelled over. Very pleased to contribute to article published in Irish Times about my experience. 

“My first Web Summit is quite a trip,” said Máirín Murray, co-founder of 
Tech for Good Dublin and owner of Digital Doodle. “I’m over with a gang 
of amazing women in tech from Ireland who want to be
part of the conversation on how technology can shape our world for the 
better and we want to help make this happen.

“Web Summit for a first-timer is fun, sweaty, exciting and 
slightly bewildering,” she added.

(11) Spending a Week in Brussels Playing Lego. I’m now a certified facilitator in the use of Lego? Serious Play? methods and materials. Yes there is such a thing! This is a highly engaging, facilitation tool for co-creating in 3D and is very adaptable and effective for team building, design thinking and diversity training.

(12) Tackling Homelessness Together. My agenda at the Web Summit was to connect with social tech entrepreneurs beyond Ireland and one of the highlights was meeting Andrew Funk – #HomelessEntrepreneur who I invited to Dublin, to present at recent Tech for Good event on Tackling Homelessness Together. 

Phew it's been quite an epic year!! In 2019 my goals are to focus more on tech for good product development and to collaborate, connect and share beyond Ireland. Please feel free to connect and let's explore how we can work together.