Maths Week Ireland 2025 Award for Raising Public Awareness of Maths goes to Dublin Teacher Paul Nugent
Highly popular teacher and public promoter of maths is exemplary of the creativity, enthusiasm and contribution of the teaching profession in Ireland
13 October 2025
Paul Nugent, a teacher at Santa Sabina Dominican College in Sutton, Dublin, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Maths Week Ireland Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to promotion of maths in Ireland.
Mr. Nugent has been involved with Maths Week Ireland since it began in 2006 and has played a key role in supporting its aim to make maths engaging and accessible for people of all ages.
Through this award, Maths Week Ireland pays tribute not only to Paul Nugent’s achievements and contribution, but to the wider teaching profession and the teachers who bring maths to life for students in classrooms across the country.
Over two decades, Maths Week has become a major celebration of maths, engaging hundreds of thousands of people each year. In 2024, more than 500,000 students from 2,702 schools took part, while over 20,000 members of the public joined events such as Maths in the City and Puzzles in the Park. Teacher surveys show that 85% of students felt more positive about maths after taking part.
A teacher for more than 25 years, Paul Nugent is known for his commitment to helping students see maths as something they can enjoy and succeed in. At Santa Sabina Dominican College, where he serves as Assistant Principal, Digital Leader and ICT Co-ordinator, he teaches maths, physics, science and ICT. Through innovative teaching methods and a deep belief in the potential of every student, he has encouraged countless young people to develop confidence in their maths ability.
Mr. Nugent’s influence extends well beyond his own classroom. Through his involvement with Oide (the professional learning and support service for teachers and school leaders in Ireland), and the Institute of Physics in Ireland, he has supported colleagues across the country, helping to strengthen teaching and learning in maths and related subjects.
He is a member of several professional bodies, including the Irish Maths Teachers Association, the Irish Science Teachers Association, the Computer Education Society of Ireland and the Institute of Physics in Ireland. He is also co-chair of the Irish National Steering Committee for Science on Stage, a member of the Executive Board of Science on Stage Europe, and has delivered many workshops in Ireland, the UK and across Europe. He is also a founding member and co-ordinator of Physics Busking, a STEM outreach group supported by Research Ireland.
Mr. Nugent’s dedication to his profession and learners has already been recognised through several national and international honours, including the Eiroforum Science Teaching Award and the Irish Science Teachers’ Association Educator of the Year Award
In making the presentation, Maths Week co-founder Eoin Gill said “While Paul Nugent has made important contributions in teaching and in wider STEM engagement, it is for his contribution to popularising maths that he is receiving this award. When we got the idea to establish a Maths Week for the island many people said it wouldn’t work. Paul was one of a core group people who thought it was worth trying and gave full support to the emerging festival. He was an important bridge to maths teachers in the early days, he advises on activities and helps organise events, in particular those aimed at post-primary schools. Throughout the 20 festivals of Maths Week, he has continued to give his time, energy and expertise to help make this the leading festival of its kind in the world.
“Teachers are the driving force behind Maths Week Ireland,” added Gill, “They are the ones who spark curiosity, nurture confidence and show students that maths is something to explore and enjoy. It is gratifying that we are honouring a teacher and also through him acknowledging the important role teachers play in Maths Week every year. We are proud to honour Paul’s excellent contribution with this year’s award.”
Accepting the award, Paul Nugent said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this award and the beautiful mathematical sculptural piece by silversmith Seamus Gill. Maths Week has shown what a difference teachers can make when they help students experience maths in a positive way. I believe teachers play a very important role in building confidence and curiosity, often changing how students see themselves and their abilities. I have been lucky to work with so many dedicated colleagues over the years who share that same goal of helping every student see that maths is for themselves. It is a privilege to work with young people and to be part of a community that values and celebrates that work.”
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The 38th Annual IMS meeting will take place in Maynooth University on the 28th and 29th of August 2025. 
