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22 DCU Researchers Appointed to Royal Irish Academy Committees for 2026 to 2030 Term

The Royal Irish Academy (RIA) has announced that 22 researchers from Dublin City University (DCU) have been appointed to its multidisciplinary committees and standing committees.

The RIA maintains ten multidisciplinary committees—five in the sciences and five in the humanities and social sciences—alongside two standing committees covering Archaeology and International Affairs. These bodies provide strategic direction and expert guidance on Academy activities, while shaping a public engagement programme to communicate academic insights to broader audiences.

The 22 DCU researchers have been appointed across the RIA’s Science, Humanities, and Standing Committees for the 2026 to 2030 term:

Science Committees

Climate Change and Environmental Sciences

  • Dr Louise Fitzgerald
  • Dr Brian Kelleher
  • Dr Brenda McNally

Engineering and Computer Sciences

  • Dr Ly-Duyen Tran
  • Professor Tomás Ward

Geography and Geosciences

  • Dr Jonathan Cherry
  • Dr Susan Hegarty

Life and Health Sciences

  • Professor Christine Loscher

Physical, Chemical and Mathematical Sciences

  • Dr Oisin Creaner
  • Professor Tia Keyes
  • Professor Miles Mark Turner

Humanities Committees

Coiste Léann na Gaeilge agus an Léinn Cheiltigh

  • Dr Deirdre Ní Chonghaile
  • Dr Gearóidín Uí Laighléis
  • Dr Andrea Palandri

Ethics, Politics, Law and Philosophy

  • Dr Edoardo Celeste

Historical Studies

  • Dr Patrick Wadden

Languages, Literature, Culture and Communication

  • Dr Áine McGillicuddy

Social Sciences

  • Professor Martin Brown

Standing Committee for International Affairs

  • Dr Shelley Deane
  • Professor John Doyle
  • Dr Andrew Forde
  • Dr Kenneth McDonagh

 

Strategic Role of RIA Committees

These multidisciplinary and standing committees assemble experts across varied domains to exchange knowledge, advance rigorous research, demonstrate the value of scholarship, and cultivate links between researchers across Ireland and globally.

Each committee convenes three times annually to define and execute a work programme addressing core academic and public policy challenges. Deliverables include public outreach events, academic conferences, policy reports, expert statements, and analytical commentary. The work programme is overseen by the RIA Academic Board and aligns with the strategic roadmap of the University and Academy alike.

 

Committee Governance and Selection

The 2026 to 2030 committee term brings together up to 20 members per committee, selected for their deep subject expertise and public engagement leadership following a competitive national open call.