BIODIVERSITY ON CAMPUS AND THE ALL-IRELAND POLLINATOR PLAN 2021-2025 - SEE PAGE 13 - University College Dublin
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Autumn 2021 BIODIVERSITY ON CAMPUS AND THE ALL-IRELAND POLLINATOR PLAN 2021-2025 SEE PAGE 13
NEWS PAGE 2 UCD TODAY - AUTUMN 2021 PREVIOUS PAGE NEXT PAGE CONTENTS
CONTENTS FEATURES
Cereal innovator Why is Ireland’s Irish polling ‘University for Student learning –
sets her sights far-right indicator: What the Future’ - embracing
on healthier oats so small? do election polls Future Campus metacognition
really mean? construction
starts
Page 10 Page 15 Page 20 Page 29 Page 34
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EDITOR'S LETTER
EILIS O’BRIEN DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION AND MARKETING
Despite the relative quiet created by remote working and will be many pairs of spikes set for the starting gun. Belfield now In this edition the President shares his thoughts on how the
virtual learning, one of the striking things for anyone coming on boasts quality facilities for swimming and track as well as field campus will support the growth of the University with Seán Dunne
campus is the amount of infrastructural development taking place. sports including hockey. And while the training and competition (page 29).
The new student residences at Roebuck, complete with village facilities support the elite sports performers, they are extensively With COVID, UCD has had to assess itself in terms of the model
centre, transform that area into a modern residential area that used by large numbers of students (and staff). of education we offer. The outcome is a clear sense of value in
promises to buzz with social life as soon as it opens. Meanwhile, the academic and education facilities are about to the benefits of the campus model. Over and again we see that
Some twenty-five students and alumni represented Ireland extend to a whole new level with the enabling works commencing our students and our community seek out personal interactions
at the Olympics and Paralympics this summer and with their on the Centre for Creativity and the Centre for Future Learning. The and social exchanges as well as quality education and research.
performances still a warm memory, there is great anticipation prospect of an iconic plaza rather than a concrete hut as you come The infrastructural work on campus keeps progressing to meet
around the opening of the new track at the western end of the in through the main entrance will truly transform Belfield and make these expectations. And, although Belfield 50 wasn’t the public
campus – thanks to a generous donor. Come September, there it a destination in itself. programme we had planned, Belfield 51 is looking very positive.
Subscribers: Xuefang Alterman, Ciaran Bennett, Caroline Byrne, Ursula Byrne, Catherine Carey, David Produced by: Eilis O’Brien, Mary Staunton, Jenny Costello In the compilation of this publication, every care has been taken to ensure accuracy.
UCD thanks...
Corscadden, Jane Curtin, Mags D’Arcy, Emma Donovan, Mary Doorly, Georgina Dwyer, Daniel Esmonde Deasy, Design: Loman Cusack Design Ltd Any errors or omissions should be brought to the attention of UCD University Relations
Antonella Ferrecchia, Evelyn Flanagan, Anne Fogarty, Beth Gormley, Andreas Hess, Una Kelly, Anna Kelly, (ucdtoday@ucd.ie). We also welcome your suggestions for articles in future editions.
Merlo Kelly, John Kelly, Liam Kennedy, Naonori Kodate, Abigail Lalor, Christine Linehan, Patrick Masterson, Thanks to: Pat Guiry, Ann Lavan, Damien McLoughlin,
Cliona McGovern, Hilary Minch, Darina O’Hanlon, Theresa O’Leary, Paul Perry, Claire Scott, Mark Simpson, Regina Uí Chollatáin and Ben Tonra Cover image: Biodiversity on the UCD Belfield campus
Dara Stanley, Regina Uí Chollatáin, Micéal Whelan.
NEWS PAGE 4 UCD TODAY - AUTUMN 2021 PREVIOUS PAGE NEXT PAGE CONTENTS
COVID-19 COVID RAPID
RESPONSE
UCD-led Covid Rapid Response project findings
presented at IASSIDD European Congress
Associate Professor Christine Linehan, UCD
School of Psychology, Director of UCD Centre
for Disability Studies presented findings from a
HRB funded Covid Rapid Response project at
completed the anonymous online survey during
August and September 2020. The majority of staff
stated that they received a policy or guidelines
on COVID-19 for people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities, and most reported
satisfaction with these guidelines. Most staff
PROJECT
the IASSIDD (International Association for the received information and/or training on prevention
Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental of transmission, social distancing, use of PPE and
Disabilities) European Congress in July. Associate isolation of persons with suspected COVID-19.
Professor Linehan is Chair of the Comparative Over half of all staff respondents reported
Policy and Practice Special Interest Group of concerns with the reorganisation of staff shifts,
IASSIDD and led this research with the support increases in the number of staff on sick leave,
of 26 international colleagues representing 18 and requests for staff to take on new tasks. While
countries worldwide. Using an online survey satisfaction rates were high with the availability
methodology, the research gathered the views of of PPE, many staff expressed dissatisfaction with
3,754 caregivers of persons with intellectual and the timing of this equipment. Less than half of all
developmental disabilities during the COVID-19 respondents were provided with information on
pandemic. This research is openly published here. the psychological impact of providing support
to persons with intellectual and developmental
The global experiences of staff working in disability during the pandemic, and a minority
intellectual and developmental disabilities
A global survey exploring family members’
and paid staff’s perceptions of the impact
of COVID-19 on individuals with
reported the introduction of peer support
intellectual and developmental disabilities
and their caregivers
services during the COVID-19 pandemic programmes. In combination, these experiences
This presentation aimed to explore the global reveal significant disturbances in the global
experiences of staff working in intellectual and delivery of disability services during the pandemic.
developmental disabilities services during the
COVID-19 pandemic. In total, 1,842 staff members
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COVID RAPID RESPONSE PROJECT (CONTINUED)
The global experiences of family members supporting a Caregivers’ experiences of COVID-19 in different
person with intellectual and developmental disabilities living arrangements for people with intellectual and
during the COVID-19 pandemic developmental disabilities
This presentation explored the global experiences of 1,912 This presentation sought to explore family and staff
family members supporting a person with intellectual and perceptions of the experience of COVID-19 in different
developmental disability during the COVID-19 pandemic using residential living arrangements for people with intellectual
data from the online global survey of caregivers. These data and developmental disabilities, specifically the family home,
COVID-19
were collected simultaneously to the staff reports presented independent living, community group homes (CGH), and
above. The majority of family members were dissatisfied with residential centres (RC). Data from all 3,754 respondents
the level of support they and their family member received participating in the online survey were included in this
during the pandemic, particularly changes in staffing support presentation. Caregivers supporting people with intellectual
to their family member which included an increase in the and developmental disabilities in the family home were least
In Brief
presence of new staff on casual contracts. Family respondents likely when compared with other caregivers to receive policies,
also reported a reduction in the number of people they typically information and training on COVID-19 and reported least
approached for support in their caring role during the pandemic. satisfaction in these areas. They also reported the lowest levels
Many family members reported reduced employment and
diminished income directly as a consequence of their caregiving
of COVID-19 testing for the people they support. Respondents
who support people with intellectual and developmental
From around the University
duties. While many family members reported high levels of disabilities in CGH and RCs reported the highest levels of
stress, less so anxiety and depression, only a minority of family COVID-19 testing, for both caregivers and the people they
members reported receiving any information on psychological support, and the highest level of visitor restrictions. Those EXPERIENCES OF CANCER CARE DURING
support; those who didn’t stated they would welcome this supporting individuals in RCs had the highest reporting of COVID-19
type of support. The collective experiences of family members COVID-19 symptoms, highest use of psychotropic medications
reveal that many felt unsupported throughout the pandemic for mood, and highest use of environmental restraint during
Phase 1 results of a longitudinal qualitative study
and dissatisfied with the support provided. These patterns were the pandemic. These global trends reveal the differential
observed globally and reveal an urgent need for the provision of experiences of people with intellectual and developmental A study by Assistant Professor Amanda Drury, UCD School
appropriate and timely support. disabilities as a function of their living arrangement and the of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems has investigated the
need to ensure equitable supports for all during the pandemic. experiences of cancer care amongst people affected by cancer
in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Participants in the study engaged in a series of semi-
structured interviews between January and July 2021, and
completed measures of resilience and distress. In the initial
interviews conducted in January 2021 participants reported
feeling that public health measures to reduce transmission of
COVID-19 had created a sense of not missing out, reducing
difficult social interactions requiring explanation of their
diagnosis, and contributing to a feeling of safety. Participants
also expressed reservations regarding the substitution of in-
person medical appointments with telehealth contact, and the
requirement to attend essential appointments alone.
Phase 1 results of the study are published in the
International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances. Assistant
Professor Drury collaborated with Associate Professor Manuela
Eicher, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and Dr Maura
Dowling, NUI Galway.
NEWS PAGE 6 UCD TODAY - SPRING 2021 PREVIOUS PAGE NEXT PAGE CONTENTS
COVID-19
COVID-19 CONTACT In Brief
From around the University
DETECTION CHALLENGE
Contact detection is a method being used by organisations was noisy, weakly labelled and the data collection methods varied
around the world in a bid to tackle the spread of COVID-19, from one event to another. The wide scope of the problem allowed
but how exactly does it work and how can it be improved? them to be creative and formulate the problem in a number of
different ways – some choosing complex time series analysis and
Using data produced by your phone, applications like the HSE others fusing domain knowledge with machine learning techniques.
COVID-19 tracker app allow for the tracking and notification of An array of algorithms was used from deep learning techniques to
potential contacts with people who have tested positive for the tree-based ensembles. The effects of bringing a diverse range of
virus. The HSE’s app uses Bluetooth data to calculate the distance expertise together and implementing a wide range of approaches
and length of time people have been in contact with others. Testing resulted in teams performing on par and ahead of groups that are
of the app showed an accuracy of 72% in the detection of close on the top of the leader board!
contacts. Can machine learning methods improve the accuracy of Student Niamh Belton told us: “One of the key learning
close contact detection using other data produced by your phone? takeaways from the project was how to formulate a Machine
The NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology of Learning project. We found that defining the objective of the
the USA) in collaboration with MIT’s research group PACT (Private project, establishing a clear baseline performance and effectively
Automated Contact Tracing), have created a challenge titled TC4TL, evaluating the solution were crucial components of developing
or Too Close For Too Long. The challenge saw universities around a robust solution. We learned that evaluating our solution meant UCD President Professor Andrew Deeks receiving his vaccination at UCD O’Reilly Hall
the world participate in an attempt to develop accurate and robust not only assessing it on the basis of a performance metric but to
models to calculate close contact detection. Positive results were also consider other factors such as the complexity, the training
COVID-19 VACCINATION CENTRE AT O’REILLY HALL
produced using Bluetooth data, accelerometer and transmission time and the feasibility of productionising the solution. Moreover,
A fifth COVID-19 Vaccination Centre opened in UCD O’Reilly Hall,
power information. The results and methodology of the various the project highlighted the significance of being able to effectively
operated by the Ireland East Hospital Group (IEHG) on behalf of the
groups can be viewed on the TC4TL challenge website. communicate our solution to others. We practiced both verbal
HSE. The Centre commenced vaccinations at the start of June.
The SFI Centre for Research Training in Machine Learning — a and written communication skills by composing a final report
UCD President, Professor Andrew Deeks said: “We are delighted
collaboration between UCD, DCU, and the TU Dublin that focuses and regularly presenting updates to fellow ML-Labs students and
to support the HSE’s national vaccination programme in this way
on PhD training in machine learning — approached NIST after the supervisors. These are skills that we can utilise and continue to
and to facilitate the IEHG to administer vaccines as rapidly as
initial competition and proposed that the new cohort of students develop in our future projects!”
supplies permit. It is only through widespread vaccination that we
take part in this challenge. The new cohort of thirty PhD students Fellow student Jack Nicholls said: “Like the majority of the global
will be able to offer students an excellent campus experience in
was divided into six groups and tasked with tackling the ‘Too Close’ workforce we have had to collaborate and work together through
September.”
or distance aspect of the TC4TL challenge. NIST created a direct online technology like Slack and Zoom. As some students have
Declan Lyons, CEO of the Ireland East Hospital Group said: “We
line of communication with the cohort, allowing the students to ask not travelled to Ireland due to the pandemic, time scheduling and
are aiming to vaccinate up to 1,000 people per day at the Centre.
questions on the data, the methods of evaluation, and any other coordination of working schedules was the first hurdle for many.
We are delighted to work with our academic partner, UCD, in
enquiries. With any project, there are different skills and backgrounds of each
establishing this facility and it will greatly enhance our capacity with
This challenge offered a unique opportunity to use machine team member. With such diverse backgrounds for each student of
regard to the national vaccination programme.”
learning skills to make an impact on a global issue. NIST provided ML-Labs, the groups had different levels of experience in project
Vaccinations follow the HSE’s appointment schedule and people
large amounts of data for almost 25,000 events where each management, software development, and model evaluation to learn
are asked to come only when they receive official notification
event had one label. This gave the students a chance to immerse from each other.”
from the HSE. The Centre’s operations do not affect the operation
themselves in a project that uses real-world data, where the data
of the UCD University Club, which will remain open, operating in
accordance with COVID-19 restrictions throughout the summer.
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COVID-19
The impact of
Researchers from UCD Centre for Interdisciplinary Research
Education and Innovation in Health Systems (UCD IRIS
Centre), UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health
the COVID-19
Systems, have examined the impact of COVID-19 on child
health and the provision of care in paediatric emergency
departments.
pandemic on The qualitative study by Ciara Conlon, Dr Thérèse McDonnell,
Professor Eilish McAuliffe and Dr Emma Nicholson, UCD IRIS
child health and
Centre, and Clinical Associate Professor Michael Barrett, UCD
School of Medicine and Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin,
along with Professor Fergal Cummins, UL; Dr Conor Deasy,
the provision
UCC; and Dr Conor Hensey, Children’s Health Ireland at Temple
Street, used insights from multidisciplinary frontline staff to
understand the changes in paediatric emergency healthcare
of Care in
during the pandemic and the experiences of working within the
restructured health system.
The study, published in BMC Health Services Research,
Paediatric
found that public health restrictions necessitated by the
pandemic have had an adverse impact on children’s health and
psychosocial wellbeing, exacerbated by difficulty in accessing
Emergency
primary and community services. The interruption to health
and social care services is manifesting in numerous ways in
emergency departments which have shown innovation and
Departments: a
agility in the changes they have implemented to continue to
deliver care to children.
qualitative study
of frontline
emergency care
staff
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Poetry recordings by
President Michael D. Higgins
The President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, visited UCD Special
Collections in June 2021 to record a selection of his poems
for the Irish Poetry Reading Archive – a digital repository of
contemporary poetic voices. During his visit President Higgins
commended this national collection, noting the importance of
preserving the voices of Ireland’s poets for future generations
and making them available to a global audience.
The nine recorded poems, drawn Poets in this archive include Paula
UCD hosts from President Higgins’ four published
poetry collections reflect the importance
Meehan, Michael Longley, Nuala Ní
Dhomhnaill, Bernard O’Donoghue, Medbh
inaugural Global of family and community in his work,
as well as acknowledging the legacy of
McGuckian, Doireann Ní Ghríofa, Ailbhe Ní
Ghearbhuigh, Felicia Olusanya, Annemarie
Partnerships Forum
Ireland’s turbulent past. ‘The Betrayal’, Ní Churreáin, Stephen James Smith,
dedicated to the poet’s father, explores Kimberly Campanello, Christodoulos
keynote address from Professor Ellen Hazelkorn, the challenges of life after the foundation Makris and many more, including those
As Ireland’s Global University, UCD has a Professor Emerita, Technological University Dublin of the State, especially for those who who have participated in our UCD Festival
significant global footprint, welcoming 8,400 and Joint Managing Partner at BH Associates had been involved in the revolutionary poetry events in recent years. Some of
international students from 145 countries Education Consultants, entitled ‘The Architecture struggle. Other recorded poems – such the featured poets have associations
to Dublin each year and with almost 4,000 of International Collaboration: Multilateralism in as ‘On Making the Three Decades’ and with UCD, either as staff, alumni, or
international students at our overseas campuses. Support of Global Partnerships’. ‘The Touch 1’ – dwell on the need for students, including Siobhán Campbell,
Engaging with our global partners and networks The Forum showcased partnerships in future generations to sustain values of Moya Cannon, Harry Clifton, Catríona
is essential for UCD to continue as a leader in practice across Europe, the United States, and empathy and solidarity. The President also Clutterbuck, Anthony Cronin, Ian Davidson,
the sector. With the necessary travel restrictions Asia with a stand-out session on UCD’s recently read ‘The Delivery’, ‘The Death of Mary Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, Chiamaka Enyi-Amadi,
in place over the past year, the ability to meet established joint international colleges in China. Doyle’, ‘Toes’, ‘The Storyteller’, ‘Stardust’ Frank McGuinness, Julie Morrissey, Chris
university partners face-to-face, to continue The respective Principals, Professor Wu Wenying and ‘Of Saturdays Made Holy’ – a poem Murray, John O’Donnell, Nessa O’Mahony,
to foster these important relationships, was of Beijing-Dublin International College, Professor made available on the Áras an Uachtaráin Paul Perry, Nerys Williams and Macdara
significantly impacted. Like many sectors, Wang Hainian of Chang’an-Dublin International SoundCloud account to mark May Day Woods.
UCD had to think creatively of how to reach our College of Transportation, and Professor Feng Lixin, 2020. During his visit, President Higgins In the words of Paula Meehan, poet
collaborators in a valuable and productive way. Guangzhou-Dublin International College of Life referred to the “transformative possibilities and former Ireland Chair of Poetry, the
Sciences and Technology, provided valuable insights of language”– especially in performance archive has become “an indispensable
In April 2021, UCD hosted its first Global and perspectives. – making his poetry especially fitting tool for both poetry makers and poetry
Partnerships Forum, an interactive four-day virtual In addition, the Forum afforded participants for inclusion in this heritage archive. His readers, on and off the island… it is just
event tailored to international university partners. the opportunity to meet with UCD colleagues poems will be preserved in the UCD Digital and marvellous that the Archive holds
The Forum comprised a series of panel discussions across the Colleges, functions, and regions through Library and are available here. the various and diverse voices of the
with key thought leaders across international a bespoke virtual meeting hub where partners The Irish Poetry Reading Archive, community, and presents a rounded
education addressing the salient and pressing discussed current collaborations and explored new founded in 2014, holds the work of over picture of the exciting and eclectic nature
sectoral themes, including the future of global opportunities for engagement. 150 poets, including writers born in Ireland of Irish poetry today, in Irish, in English,
partnerships, the ever-changing funding landscape While 2020/2021 is an academic year UCD staff but resident elsewhere and those newly and in translation.”
and importance of prioritising sustainability in and students will not forget, it has also compelled arrived here. It has been viewed over The Irish Poetry Reading Archive is
international activity. us to transform the way we work and engage with 230,000 times, from 65 countries across co-ordinated by Ursula Byrne and Evelyn
Speakers at the Forum included UCD President our global partners, with many of these practices the world. Like other poets who have read Flanagan, UCD Library, in collaboration
Professor Andrew J. Deeks and UCD Vice-President here to stay. UCD looks forward to welcoming more for the archive, President Higgins provided with Associate Professor Lucy Collins,
for Global Engagement Professor Dolores O’Riordan, partners to the University ‘virtually’ in 2021/22. handwritten transcriptions of his recorded UCD School of English, Drama and Film.
who welcomed over 180 guests virtually, along with The full programme for the Global Partnerships poems. *A version of this article appeared in The Irish Times,
a plethora of external speakers. These included a Forum can be found on the UCD Global website. 24 June 2021
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Summer Conferring Ceremonies First issues of Society under
During June, undergraduate and postgraduate students were conferred with degrees, certificates
and diplomas in UCD School of Medicine and UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and
new editorship published
Sports Science; undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in UCD College of Engineering, UCD Founded in 1962 by American maverick sociologist Irving Louis Horowitz, Society enjoys a
College of Health and Agricultural Sciences (UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, UCD wide reputation as a journal that publishes the latest scholarship on the central questions of
School of Medicine - Radiography and Diagnostic Imaging and UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery contemporary society. The journal is published by Springer and produces six issues a year
and Health Systems) and UCD College of Science; and UCD School of Veterinary Medicine. offering new ideas and quality research in the social sciences and humanities in a clear,
Everyone was disappointed not to be able to celebrate this happy occasion in person, but accessible style.
graduates were able to tune into virtual ceremonies.
As of 2021 the journal and Realism: The Political Thought of Judith N.
UCD School of Veterinary Medicine has a new editorial team Shklar. His most recent, sole-authored book
conferred students with undergraduate and consisting of joint editors- is Tocqueville and Beaumont. Aristocratic
postgraduate qualifications from a range in-chief Professor Andreas Liberalism in Democratic Times.
of programmes, as well as graduates from Hess, UCD School of Each issue of Society contains not only full-
Veterinary Public Health and Food Regulatory Sociology and Professor length research articles but also commentaries,
Affairs programmes, which are jointly run with Daniel Gordon, University discussion pieces and book reviews which
Prof Andreas Hess
the University of Ulster. Professor Michael of Massachusetts critically examine work conducted in the social
Doherty, Dean and Head of UCD School of Amherst. In their role they are supported by sciences as well as the humanities. The journal
Veterinary Medicine, welcomed graduates Dublin-based managing and book review editor is of interest to scholars and researchers
and their families and friends. Guest speakers Johnny Lyons. who work in these broadly-based fields of
included Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for The new team brings together a wide enquiry and those who conduct research in
Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Joe Moffitt, range of disciplinary knowledge and expertise. neighbouring intellectual domains. Society
President of the Veterinary Council of Ireland Professor Hess has a sociology and political should also be of interest to non-specialists
and Dr Martin Blake, Chief Veterinary Officer. science background with special research who are keen to understand the latest
22 nationalities were represented amongst interests in historical sociology and the history developments in such subjects as sociology,
those graduating from UCD School of Medicine, and sociology of ideas. He has published a history, political science, social anthropology,
including 67 international students. Guest monograph on the American political theorist philosophy, and economics.
speakers at this ceremony included Professor UCD Radiography graduates 2021 and émigré scholar Judith N. Shklar, The The journal is part of UCD’s and other
Mary Horgan, Consultant in Infectious Political Theory of Judith N. Shklar. Exile from universities’ open access agreement. For
Diseases, Cork University Hospital, former UCC We also held a number of virtual celebration Exile and also edited two thematically related the latest issue, the journal’s archive or more
School of Medicine Dean and RCPI President, ceremonies for those students who graduated books, Judith Shklar’s On Political Obligation general information readers may visit the
and Margaret O’Neill, National Dietetic Advisor, in December 2020 which students tuned in to and a collection of essays, Between Utopia journal’s website.
Health and Wellbeing division, HSE. from home.
UCD Academic Appointed Chair of the National Research Ethics Committees for Clinical Trials
Dr Cliona McGovern, ethics applications related to Clinical Trials of many years, including the REC in the Irish College matters relating to the use of case scenarios,
UCD School of Investigational Medicinal Products. This includes of General Practitioners and the REC in the simulated patients, and the assessment of
Medicine, has been interventional studies and low-interventional National Rehabilitation Hospital. In 2019 she was ethical principles. Since 2016, Dr McGovern has
appointed by the studies involving medicinal products for human appointed as chair of UCD’s Human Research been the ethics advisor and member of the Lay
Minister of Health, use. The NRECs will play a key role in protecting Ethics Committee (Life Sciences). Advisory Committee of the Royal College of
Stephen Donnelly TD the safety, dignity and well-being of health In 2019, Dr McGovern was also appointed to Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).
as chair of the new research participants in Ireland. the Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians Dr McGovern says: “I look forward to leading
National Research Dr McGovern is the Head of Subject for as an ethical and medico-legal advisor to the the NREC-CT Committee B in our goal of ensuring
Dr Cliona McGovern
Ethics Committees Forensic and Legal Medicine in UCD School of Scenario Editorial Committee for the MRCP that the interests of research participants are
for Clinical Trials (NREC-CTs). The remit of Medicine. She is, and has been, a member of Clinical Examinations. Her role is to advise the paramount, while maintaining momentum in the
the NREC-CTs is to review the submission of several Research Ethics Committees (REC) for Committee on medical ethics and medical law conduct of clinical trials in Ireland.”
FEATURE PAGE 10 UCD TODAY - AUTUMN 2021 PREVIOUS PAGE NEXT PAGE CONTENTS
Cereal
innovator
sets her
sights on
healthier
oats
Prof Fiona Doohan, UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science
DID YOU HAVE PORRIDGE FOR
BREAKFAST TODAY? MAYBE YOU HAD
OAT MILK IN YOUR COFFEE OR AN
OAT-FILLED CEREAL BAR TO BOOST
YOUR ENERGY LEVELS. THANKS TO
THEIR VERSATILITY AND POTENTIAL
HEALTH BENEFITS, OATS ARE HAVING
SOMETHING OF A RENAISSANCE,
AND PROFESSOR FIONA DOOHAN
IS ON A MISSION TO HELP CEREAL
BREEDERS, FARMERS, FOOD
PROCESSORS AND NUTRITIONISTS
TAKE A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH
WITH THEM FOR OUR HEALTH AND
THE HEALTH OF THE PLANET.FEATURE PAGE 11 UCD TODAY - AUTUMN 2021 PREVIOUS PAGE NEXT PAGE CONTENTS
CEREAL INNOVATOR SETS HER SIGHTS ON HEALTHIER OATS (CONTINUED)
Professor Doohan, who is Professor of was inspired by lectures from mycologist Hubert R&D projects, to get a faster understanding of
Plant Health at UCD School of Biology and Fuller on how fungi interact with plants, and she crop disease and potentially shave years off the
Environmental Science, is co-leading a new, went on to do a PhD at the John Innes Centre process of developing more resistant varieties.
€2.7-million project called Healthy Oats, which in Norwich, England, on controlling Fusarium She is also innovating to control the microbes
takes a big-picture look at this staple cereal. “It’s fungi in crops. “At that stage, about 20 years ago, that live on and around the crop plant, encouraging
a challenge-based project involving stakeholders molecular biology was taking off and this gave us beneficial fungi to improve the resistance of the
in Ireland and Wales, to help small to medium a whole new technology to explore how plants and crop against disease. She is a co-founder of
enterprises to develop new products sustainably,” fungi interact,” she says. e-Seed Crop Technology Solutions, a joint UCD-
she explains. Since then, Professor Doohan’s research has Trinity College Dublin spin-out company that
focused on how to improve disease resistance is developing microbe mixes to add to soil to
From soil to human health in crops, most notably wheat and barley, and increase crop yields.
And why the humble oat, in particular? Oat is her scope has widened far beyond the molecular “This really emerged from fundamental
a historically important crop in Ireland as it can dance between plant and disease-causing attacker. research in our lab, blue-sky research that was
grow on relatively poor land that might not sustain funded by Science Foundation Ireland, and now
staples such as wheat or barley, explains Professor
Doohan, whose home town of Gortahork in
“One of the biggest we are seeing the fruits of it,” she explains. “Now
we are able to work with companies and develop
Donegal derives its name from the Irish Gort an things I have learned usable, realistic solutions to improving the health
Choirce, or ‘oat field’.
Now, the 21st century is waking up to the over the last two of the soil and micro-environment around the crop.”
potential health benefits of oats, a rich source of
vitamins, minerals and soluble fibre. “We are only decades of research Stick to your core and collaborate
Throughout much of her time at UCD, Professor
scratching the surface of what oats could have
to offer in terms of human health,” says Professor
in this area is that you Doohan has had a longer commute to work than
Doohan.
The Healthy Oats project, which is funded
need to look beyond the most – from Donegal to Belfield. “I live 20 minutes
from the airport in Donegal, so up until COVID-19
through the EU’s INTERREG programme, will test binary questions – what hit I was working three days a week in UCD and
two from home, it is a good balance with kids and
different varieties of oat in the field at UCD and in
Aberystwyth, to assess their nutritional qualities pest affects which crop family,” she says. “Also I love the contrast of being
in Dublin and walking around the city, then getting
and their resilience to disease, environmental
change and potentially damaging ‘mycotoxins’
– and take the larger the plane home and it is like being on the other
side of the world.”
produced by fungi.
Professor Dolores O’Riordan, Director, UCD
picture into account. Similarly, she has held firm to her core in
Institute of Food and Health, Vice-President for You really have to look research, using technology as a tool to answer
questions rather than becoming distracted by it.
at the entire system and
Global Engagement, will explore how low-impact
“My advice to all scientific researchers is not to get
processing could affect nutrition, and Assistant
waylaid by the technology,” she says. “Always have
Professor Amalia Scannell, UCD School of
Agriculture and Food Science, will examine the come up with realistic a scientific or biological question that you want to
answer, use the technology that can help you and
sensory qualities and tastiness of potentially new
oat-based products.
ways to intervene.” work with experts. That really is the key I think to
cracking the nut of innovation and delivering for
“We are really going from soil right through
industry, you have to love what you do and keep
to human health in this project, in a bid to help Fundamental questions bear fruit
that scientific curiosity at your core.”
farmers and food processors to work sustainably Professor Doohan’s ability to translate the
into the future,” says Professor Doohan. knowledge from research into application earned
her the NovaUCD Innovation Award 2021 last Professor Fiona Doohan was in conversation
Tackling cereal killers
March. “It was just brilliant to receive that, I was so with Dr Claire O’Connell (BSc, (Hons) 1992, PhD
Professor Doohan’s interest in plant health honoured,” she says.
started with fungi. While studying industrial 1998), journalist with The Irish Times and Silicon
The award recognises her work on marker Republic and Irish Science Writer of the Year 2016.
microbiology as an undergraduate in UCD, she genes of disease that industry can analyse in theirFEATURE PAGE 12 UCD TODAY - AUTUMN 2021 PREVIOUS PAGE NEXT PAGE CONTENTS
HPV-based
screening for
cervical cancer
International study
co-authored by UCD
Professor Donal
Brennan confirms
HPV-based screening
for cervical cancer
has superior
sensitivity compared
to traditional LBC
Prof Donal Brennan
screening.
An international study, with centres in
Ireland, published in JAMA Network Open on
30 June 2021 showed that molecular testing
for human papilloma infection (HPV) infection,
outperformed liquid-based cytology (LBC)
approaches, detecting 19% more true positives
of CIN (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia).
Professor Donal Brennan, UCD School
of Medicine and Consultant Gynaecological
Oncologist, Mater and St Vincent’s University
Hospitals (SVUH) Dublin, and Dr Edward Corry,
Registrar, Gynaecological Oncology, Mater and
SVUH were co-authors of this study.
President Biden holding ‘James Hoban: Designer and Builder of the White House’. Photo credit: DJ Judd, CNN The study, which sought to estimate the
likely outcomes of different cervical screening
James Hoban: Designer and Builder of the White House modalities and to model how the increasing
uptake of HPV vaccination could affect
the interpretation of screening results, in a
The White House Historical Association President Biden was presented with a copy of for drawing in 1780, Hoban went on to work
simulated population of 1000 women over
has recently published an edited collection of the book in the White House in advance of the on a number of prominent projects in Dublin
25 years of age, showed HPV test sensitivity
eight essays entitled James Hoban: Designer launch. Merlo Kelly recorded podcasts for the most notably the Royal Exchange (City Hall),
at 89.9% and LBC test sensitivity at 75.5%.
and Builder of the White House. White House Historical Association, following the Newcomen Bank and the Custom House.
The study concluded that over a lifetime of
presentation of her research on Hoban at their By 1785, Hoban had emigrated to the United
The volume features essays by screening, reflex approaches with appropriate
2018 symposium in Washington DC – ‘The States and was advertising his services as a
distinguished architects and graduates of the test intervals maximised treatment efficacy
United Kingdom and Ireland in the White House: joiner and carpenter in local newspapers. In
UCD MUBC (Masters of Urban and Building and as HPV vaccination rates increased,
A Conversation on Historical Perspectives.’ 1792 he won a competition to design and build
Conservation) programme – Merlo Kelly, a HPV-screening approaches resulted in
Irish architect James Hoban was born in the President’s House in Washington DC, which
Design Fellow in UCD, Brian O’Connell and fewer unnecessary colposcopies than LBC
1755, and spent his childhood years in Desart, became known as the White House.
Professor Finola O’Kane. Connecting Hoban, approaches.
Cuffesgrange, Co. Kilkenny where he trained The essays in the book explore a range of
architect of arguably the world’s most famous Professor Brennan graduated from UCD
as a carpenter and wheelwright. He attended topics from Hoban’s early years and influences
house, with his home landscapes of Kilkenny School of Medicine in 2003 and Dr Corry
the Dublin Society School of Architectural in Ireland, to his life and career in the United
and Dublin and his eventual projects and graduated from UCD School of Veterinary
Drawing in the 1770s, and studied under States, with in-depth analysis of the White
practice across the early USA, it was launched Science in 2004 and then undertook the GEM
architect Thomas Ivory. Having won a prize House design and construction.
in Washington DC on St. Patrick’s Day, 2021. (Graduate Entry Medicine) Programme in TCD.NEWS PAGE 13 UCD TODAY - AUTUMN 2021 PREVIOUS PAGE NEXT PAGE CONTENTS
‘Rendezvous’ Sculpture
Sensory Spaces and Biodiversity on Campus
Places: UCD’s Universally and the All-Ireland
Accessible Campus Trail Pollinator Plan 2021-2025
The UCD Belfield campus is a very beautiful amenity. As part The first All-Ireland Pollinator Plan was published in September
of UCD’s work to create a University for All that is accessible and 2015 to meet the challenge of pollinator decline. UCD joined as
inclusive of all users, the development of a campus accessible a partner organisation in 2018 and committed to focusing our
sensory trail is underway. UCD Access and Lifelong Learning, management practices on campus to align with and support the
in collaboration with UCD Estate Services, are developing this principles of the plan. UCD has now signed up to be a supporter wildflower meadows, and other green infrastructure projects
exciting project, which will provide spaces for quiet reflection of the next phase: All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2021-2025. such as sedum roofs on UCD Moore Centre for Business, Ashfield
and recreation in universally accessible spots. The sensory trail Student Residences and UCD University Club, all of which will
will be mapped out and signposted for all users. It will include Over the past number of years UCD has reduced mowing help to provide a valuable food source and habitat for pollinating
existing natural beauty spots, walkways, quiet areas and forest regimes, discontinued the use of glyphosate for weed control in insects into the future. Further information on the 2021 UCD
areas. The trail will provide outdoor accessible recreational amenity areas, introduced newly planted areas, new and extended Pollinator Plan is available on the UCD Estates Services Website.
spaces that will assist campus users to enjoy healthy, tranquil UCD academics have been at the forefront of engagement
and restorative interludes during each day and will assist greatly with pollinators on campus, through public awareness initiatives
with mental health and wellbeing. such as tours of the orchard and apiary in Rosemount during
The sensory trail will be created in a quadrant, encompassing World Bee days, bee identification workshops as part of UCD
the woodland trail, the main thoroughfare and the upper lake Earth WalkTalk, the ongoing UCD Bumblebee Monitoring transect
area. Various points of interests and stops along the way will be and the Green Roof Biodiversity monitoring project. There are
plotted on an interactive map. The four main parts of the sensory also an increasing number of research projects involving bees
trail will include: and pollinators at UCD, for example the SUSPOLL (Sustainable
· The Chess Garden Pollination Services in a Changing World) and PROTECTS
· ‘Rendezvous’ sculpture (Protecting terrestrial ecosystems through sustainable pesticide
· The vegetable garden behind the Veterinary building use) projects running through UCD Earth Institute and UCD School
· The Conway wildflower meadow of Agriculture and Food Science. Such research and engagement
In between these sectors, other areas will be selected for their from UCD further feeds into the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.
sensory plants, quiet places, and accessibility features.NEWS PAGE 14 UCD TODAY - AUTUMN 2021 PREVIOUS PAGE NEXT PAGE CONTENTS
‘Critical Exploration of Human Rights’
Conference – Irish European Law Forum
On 7 and 8 May 2021, UCD Centre for Human Asian Studies), Dr Joel Pruce (University of
Rights held an international online conference Dayton), and Dr Sharon Weill (Sciences Po, Paris
entitled Critical Exploration of Human Rights: School of International Affairs) delivered thought-
When Human Rights Become Part of the Problem. provoking presentations which were followed by
Adopting a critical perspective, speakers lively discussions. A suite of 22 papers were also
and attendees discussed a broad range of delivered in the different panels over the two days.
topics on human rights including the issues of The event was introduced by Professor Orla
humanisation of war, uses and abuses of human Feely, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation
rights, inequalities and economic rights, human and Impact. She emphasised the importance of
rights advocacy and activism, but also human such contributions to the debate on human rights
rights and violence, and human rights and crises. at a time when Ireland sits as an elected member
at the United Nations Security Council for the
Professor Samuel Moyn (Yale Law School) 2021-22 term.
delivered a keynote lecture ‘Humanisation of the Professor Colin Scott, College Principal, UCD
War’. Based on his book Human: How the United College of Social Sciences and Law, Vice-President
States Abandoned Peace and Reinvented War he for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, said that the Contributors at UCD Centre for Human Rights ‘Critical Exploration of Human Rights’ Conference
discussed the origins and significance of humane conference exemplified the interdisciplinarity Law, acknowledged the importance of the Centre’s Director of UCD Centre for Human Rights, and
war. Distinguished guest speakers Professor Neve and the international dimension of the research contribution to UCD Sutherland School of Law. The Dr Lea David, Assistant Professor, UCD School of
Gordon (Queen Mary University of London), Dr undertaken in the University and in UCD College of event was co-organised by Associate Professor Sociology. It was co-funded by UCD Sutherland
Daniela Lai (Royal Holloway, University of London), Social Sciences and Law in particular. Professor Marie-Luce Paris, UCD Sutherland School of Law, School of Law and UCD School of Sociology.
Professor Jacques Leider (French Institute of Imelda Maher, Dean of UCD Sutherland School of
Circuits of Care:
It is estimated that by 2036, one in three Between April and June 2021, Associate
people in Japan will be over the age of 65. Professor Kodate was invited to join film
While the nation wrestles with a shrinking screenings and discussion sessions targeted at
Ageing and Japan’s labour force, the Robot Revolution Initiative
was launched to expand robotics into every
a variety of local and international audiences.
The organisers include the SFI Centre for
Robot Revolution corner of Japanese economy and society.
The film Circuits of Care, directed by Professor
Research Training in Advanced Networks
for Sustainable Societies (ADVANCE CRT),
Prendergast and produced by Associate the Service Design Network (SDN), the
Associate Professor Naonori Kodate, UCD School Professor Kodate, was shot in Tokyo in the Response=Ability Summit 2021, and the School
of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice autumn of 2019. From cybernetic walking of Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences
and Director of UCD Centre for Japanese Studies supports to companion robots and automated (EHESS), France.
(UCD-JaSt) teamed up with Professor David sensor networks in nursing homes, older adults The film was part of an interdisciplinary and
Prendergast (Professor of Science, Technology and care professionals share their experiences international project, ‘Harmonisation towards
and Society at Maynooth University) to produce a of the practical benefits these technologies the establishment of Person-centred, Robotics-
film entitled Circuits of Care: Ageing and Japan’s bring, the problems they create and the aided Care System (HARP: RoCS)’, funded by
Robot Revolution. The film has been nominated unexpected relationships that can blossom. the Toyota Foundation.
for awards at several film festivals, and won the The film also sheds light on how assistive
2021 Best Documentary Award at Long Story technologies were used during the pandemic
Shorts International Film Festival. to provide care for older people.FEATURE
FEATURE PAGE15
PAGE 15 UCDTODAY
UCD TODAY- -SPRING
AUTUMN 2021
2021 PREVIOUS PAGE NEXT PAGE CONTENTS
Why is
tendencies as other people, and yet we “IT HAS MEANT THAT WE
have a politics without extreme racism. SEE OUR SURVIVAL AS
Racism does exist in Irish society, just as BEING OUTWARD-LOOKING.
it does in other societies, and it’s fair to OUR SENSE OF IRISHNESS
Ireland’s
say that Ireland’s institutions don’t serve
HAS MOVED ON FROM
people of colour or Travellers as well as the
white Irish majority: if you look at policing,
‘BLOOD AND SOIL’ AND THE
prisons and employment you will see NORTHERN IRISH CONFLICT
people have problems getting on because HAS BEEN A LESSON IN
of race or culture.” WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN
NATIONALIST POLITICS GO
far-right
As a relatively small country, Ireland
became very educated and very liberal SOUR. IRISH POLITICIANS
quite fast. “We didn’t have an industrial HAVE LEARNED TO
Prof Bryan Fanning revolution in the standard sense, going MODERATE THEMSELVES
In the recent Dublin Bay South by-election, from farmers to post-industrial in one step,” SO AS NOT TO STIR A POT
the combined vote for the far-right barely says Fanning. OF ETHNIC CONFLICT –
so small?
reached 1.3%. In other European countries “National identity is something that ALTHOUGH YOUNGER
– most notably France, where Marine Le can be approached in a positive, inclusive GENERATIONS DON’T
Pen won a third of the vote in the 2017 way, and this is very different from the
NECESSARILY KNOW THIS.”
Presidential election – they do much better. version of Irishness you may find when you
Where have the Irish far-right come look at some social media videos which As a whole, Fanning says that Irish people
from, why have they failed to take off take a more narrow, exclusive version. In don’t have a problem with immigrants as
electorally in Ireland, and is there a risk that England, Hungary and Poland, the far- such, despite almost 80% of the country
complacency could allow the forces of right claim ownership of what it is to be in 2004 voting that children born in
Call them fascist, ultra-nationalism and xenophobia to grow English, Hungarian or Polish, but Irish Ireland would not have an automatic right
call them alt-right or here?
Bryan Fanning is Professor of Migration
people in all our diversity are not drawn
to pre-1966 versions of Irishness, or the
to citizenship.
call them far-right and Social Policy in UCD School of Social type of Irishness that may have been
– but from a base Policy, Social Work and Social Justice, and
his new book, Diverse Republic, examines
embodied by de Valera. We have seen
huge changes aimed at stemming the
of virtually zero a the nature of antipathy to immigration in flow of emigration, we have seen major
decade ago, they’ve Ireland and the extent to which this has the
potential to be politically exploited.
urbanisation and secularisation, and we are
outward-looking in that we see the country
grown to a notable, In the book, a sequel and companion to as part of a global economy, and being
albeit still relatively Migration and the Making of Ireland (2018),
Fanning looks at how conflicts between
part of a multicultural Europe has been a
way for us to demonstrate our sovereignty
small, political conservatives and liberal don’t neatly fit into from Britain. Our patriotism has been built
around the economy.”
presence in Ireland. the Irish political context, why Ireland has
tended to be more outward-looking and This economic patriotism stems back
how the Northern Irish conflict gave Ireland to decisions made in the 1960s, primarily
a different perspective on tribal or ethnic by Taoiseach Seán Lemass and senior
nationalism. civil servant TK Whittaker, to open up the
“Ireland doesn’t have a smaller far-right economy and reintegrate into the wider
because we are particularly wonderful world after decades of a more isolationist
people,” says Fanning. “We have the same policy.FEATURE PAGE 16 UCD TODAY - AUTUMN 2021 PREVIOUS PAGE NEXT PAGE CONTENTS
WHY IS IRELAND’S FAR-RIGHT SO SMALL? (CONTINUED)
“Immigrants were welcomed into the the often negative experience of what it
economy and worked in various sectors was to be Protestant in post-independence
and places, but a lot of ordinary people Ireland.”
came to the conclusion that an immigrant
born next door to them was not Irish. That
INCLUSIVE CITIZENSHIP,
said, when we think of someone as a fellow
SAYS FANNING, IS
citizen, we admit them into a category IMPORTANT TO STEM THE
that includes ourselves, regardless of their GROWTH OF THE FAR-RIGHT
ethnic background. For instance, when IN IRELAND.
Ibrahim Halawa, an Irish-born citizen with “We can take an inclusive approach
an Irish passport, was imprisoned in Egypt, and admit more people into decision
the media reported on him as an Irish making and into becoming a more active
citizen and Irish politicians went to see an part of their community. Polish people,
Irish citizen in a foreign prison.” for instance, may not vote if they’re
He speculates that, were the 2004 not Irish citizens, and they’re not Irish
referendum to be held again today, the citizens because, by virtue of holding EU
result would most likely be on “a knife edge.” citizenship, they may feel they don’t need
FANNING SAYS THAT THE it. In the UK context, non-British citizens
AVERAGE TD HAS A GOOD could have changed the outcome of
SENSE OF HOW VOTERS Brexit if they had had a vote.”
Integration should happen in local
FEEL ABOUT ISSUES AND
communities, and communities should
THAT, DESPITE SOME be consulted about services, facilities and
NOISES FROM A FEW RURAL infrastructure, Fanning says. “If a direct
INDEPENDENT POLITICIANS, provision is going into a town, it should
THERE ISN’T SUFFICIENT be tied to community development so
POLITICAL HAY TO BE MADE nobody is seen as a burden. A Citizens’
FROM STOKING UP ANTI- Assembly could look positively at what it
IMMIGRANT SENTIMENT. means to be Irish in the 21st century.”
“MOST MAINSTREAM
POLITICIANS HAVE COME TO Professor Bryan Fanning was in
THE CONCLUSION THAT IT conversation with Peter McGuire, BA
WON’T BENEFIT THEM TO BE (2002), MLitt (2007), a freelance journalist
SEEN AS RACIST.” and a regular contributor to The Irish
He cautions against complacency Times.
however. Anti-Traveller prejudice has only
grown over the past few decades, with
Fanning commenting on how the rhetoric
around Travellers echoes colonial British
views of Irish people. “We can also look atNEWS PAGE 17 UCD TODAY - AUTUMN 2021 PREVIOUS PAGE NEXT PAGE CONTENTS
Winner of 30% Club Six UCD Professors Elected to Royal Irish Academy
Diploma in Corporate On 21 May 2021 six UCD professors were elected to the Royal Irish Academy, the highest academic honour in Ireland.
Admittance to the Academy recognises world-class contributions to the sciences, humanities and social sciences.
Governance Scholarship The six UCD professors were amongst 27 new members admitted during a remote admittance ceremony.
The newly elected UCD professors are:
Smurfit Executive Development is
delighted to announce the award • Professor John Feehan, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science
of the 2021 30% Club scholarship • Professor John Crown, UCD School of Medicine
to Marie Gleeson. Marie Gleeson
• Associate Professor Meidhbhín Ní Úrdail, UCD School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore
served for over 20 years in the Irish
Navy reaching the rank of Lieutenant • Professor Brian O’Connor, UCD School of Philosophy
Commander. Her career highlights • Professor Desmond Tobin, UCD School of Medicine
include command of the LE AOIFE • Professor John Brannigan, UCD School of English, Drama and Film
from 2013-2015 and service on a UN
mission in Chad. She retired from
Professor John Feehan, UCD School Professor Brian O’Connor, Head
the Irish Navy in 2019 and founded
of Agriculture and Food Science is an of UCD School of Philosophy gained
NavMar Leadership. She provides
environmental scientist who has made international renown for his distinctive
leadership consultancy services
an outstanding contribution to raising contributions in critical social theory and
and is a motivational speaker.
public awareness of the environment the history of German philosophy. His
Marie Gleeson’s trailblazing career
through several books and in his books are cited by the most prominent
will further enhance the profile of
outreach through television and YouTube. His work is scholars and researchers and feature on university
participants on this prestigious
especially well known in rural Ireland and in farming circles. teaching curricula worldwide.
Marie Gleeson programme.
Professor John Crown is Professor Professor Desmond Tobin,
Marie believes in the benefits of gender balance having lived it as
of Translational Cancer Research at DCU Professor of Dermatological Science,
one of the first female officers to serve in the Irish Navy. Her Masters
and clinical research professor at UCD UCD School of Medicine is an
dissertation (MSc Human Resource Leadership, Sheffield Hallam
School of Medicine. He has published internationally recognised skin and hair
University) highlights the improved performance in organisations with a
widely on clinical and translational follicle biomedicine researcher. He was
gender balanced executive leadership team.
research in breast cancer therapy. His recently awarded a Science Foundation
Alongside the growing emphasis on education and training of
pioneering research is known internationally for advancing Ireland Frontiers-to-the-Future award to explore how
company directors and governors is an increased emphasis on diversity
pathways to overcome resistance to cancer treatment and healthy melanocytes transform into melanoma cells.
in boardrooms. Following the banking crisis, the Stock Exchange’s
to improve outcomes through molecular understanding of
Corporate Governance Code added forceful material on the need for Professor John Brannigan, Head of
exceptional cancer responses.
diverse boards, including gender and race. That Code advocates diversity UCD School of English, Drama and Film
as a means of avoiding “groupthink”, encouraging different approaches Associate Professor Meidhbhín is the author of seven monographs and
and experiences around boardroom tables. Under the State Code, due Ní Úrdail is Head of Modern Irish at many articles and book chapters on
regard for diversity is required in making state board appointments, with UCD School of Irish, Celtic Studies authors from Brendan Behan to Virginia
chairs and government departments required to consider the benefits of and Folklore. Her extensive dossier of Woolf and has led innovative research
diversity on boards, including gender diversity. publications in three languages (Irish, projects on literature and the sea.
To advance the objectives of the code, UCD Smurfit Executive English and German) consistently
Development, in association with the 30% Club, offers one scholarship exhibits excellence in the depth and originality of its
per annum to a female student on the fully accredited postgraduate research, the range and versatility of its subject matter, and
Professional Diploma in Corporate Governance. The 30% Club was the meticulous quality of its presentation.
launched in January 2015 and has the objective of improving gender
balance at all levels in Irish business, with a focus on gender balance on
boards of directors and in senior executive leadership positions.You can also read
