Nine UL academics appointed to prestigious Royal Irish Academy expert committees
Nine University of Limerick academics have been appointed to the Royal Irish Academy’s (RIA) expert multidisciplinary committees.
The UL academics, drawn from across the humanities and science disciplines, will join esteemed committee colleagues to provide expert guidance on the Academy’s activities and assist in the development of the RIA programme of public events.
The RIA has 10 multidisciplinary committees – five in the sciences and five in the humanities and social sciences, as well as two standing committees (Archaeology and International Affairs). Composed of up to 20 members, these committees bring together experts from different fields to share knowledge, support research, promote the value of scholarship, and strengthen links between researchers in Ireland and around the world.
The UL academics newly appointed to the multidisciplinary committees are as follows:
- Dr Lydia Bracken, Ethics, Politics, Law and Philosophy
- Professor Colum Dunne, Life and Health Sciences
- Dr Aengus Finnegan, Coiste Léann na Gaeilge agus an Léinn Cheiltigh
- Dr Romina Gaburro, Physical, Chemical and Mathematical Sciences
- Professor Gautam Gulati, Ethics, Politics, Law and Philosophy
- Professor Michael Griffin, Languages, Literature, Culture and Communication
- Dr Karol Mullaney-Dignam, Historical Studies
- Professor James O’Donnell, Engineering and Computer Sciences
- Professor Helen Parr, Historical Studies
Royal Irish Academy Secretary, Professor Linda Hogan, who chairs the Academy Board, said: “The multidisciplinary committees are a vital engine within the Royal Irish Academy and are responsible for leading a large and varied programme of work.
“The diverse events and activities organised by the committees draw public and policy attention to important research areas and research issues and facilitate discussion and engagement with scholarly communities across the island of Ireland.”
The members, whose term will run from 2026 to 2030, were selected based on their discipline expertise and public engagement experience, following a highly competitive open call earlier this year.
The committees meet three times a year to decide on a programme of work that will raise and address issues – including those of public concern – relevant to their shared expertise. These activities may include outreach and public events, conferences, seminars and roundtables, blogs, reports, and expert statements.
