The Doctoral College supports transparent structures that enable Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs) to pursue original research and provide opportunities to develop transversal skills, striving to provide equity of opportunities as PGRs consider their contribution to academia, industry and society. Central to the enactment of this is quality education (programmes and training), increasing infrastructural efficiencies, accommodating diversity of research and research needs, and networking opportunities as part of a community of researchers. The Doctoral College will be directed in its work by the most important strategic priorities for doctoral education which are funding for doctoral education, research ethics and integrity, quality of supervision and internationalisation.
There is a need to centralise doctoral education (and associated populations) across UL as well as heighten the doctoral education experience through supporting a meaningful, relevant and worthwhile doctoral education ecosystem. The Doctoral College will advocate for (i) the development of feasible and relevant doctoral programmes, (ii) quality of provision and experience within and across PGRs and supervisors, and (iii) the development of regulations and guidelines that will support diverse contexts to produce excellent original research.
Professor Ann MacPhail - Associate Vice President Doctoral College
Ann MacPhail is the Associate Vice President Doctoral College at University of Limerick. Ann’s remit includes developing and maintaining a high quality support infrastructure for PhD candidates, leading and managing the Doctoral College Team with a focus on quality delivery of service, and leading on policy development for PhD candidates and research supervisors. Ann is a member of the European University Association Council for Doctoral Education (EUA-CDE) Steering Committee. The steering committee guides the development of doctoral education in Europe, identifies key topics of shared interest and contributes to the evolution of a community composed of 280 universities in 38 countries, which makes it the largest and most comprehensive European network in this field. Email: AVPDC@ul.ie Room No: F2-009, (Level 2: Foundation Building). View Full Profile
Dr Ger Downes, Postgraduate Research Development Manager
Promoting postgraduate research programmes, development of postgraduate researcher training
Email: gerard.downes@ul.ie Room No: F2-021 (Level 2: Foundation Building)
Michael Frain: Postgraduate Research Administration and Regulations Manager
Responsible for Postgraduate Research (PGR) Administration and Academic Regulations. Contact for Irish Research Council (IRC) postgraduate research funding calls.
Responsibilities include the drafting of policies, processes and regulations to enhance the Postgraduate Research Student Academic Journey.
Email: michael.frain@ul.ie Room No: F2-021 (Foundation Building)
Postgraduate Research (PGR) Thesis Submission Coordinator
Responsible for the Submission of Theses for the University Graduate Exam Boards for all PGR’s.
E-mail: PGRThesisSubmission@ul.ie Location: (Level 2: Foundation Building)
Anne O'Dwyer, Research Training Coordinator
Responsible for managing, developing, and coordinating transferable skills workshops for postgraduate researchers
E-mail: anne.odwyer@ul.ie Location: (Level 2: Foundation Building)
Sinead Cooney
Responsible for the admission of Postgraduate Research Students
Email: Sinead.Cooney@ul.ie Location: (Level 2: Foundation Building)
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