News Archive

New research shows Andean glaciers have retreated to lowest levels in 11,700 years     An international team of scientists has discovered the glaciers in the Andes have shrunk to their smallest size in 11,700 years, revealing the tropics have already warmed beyond anything experienced during the entire Holocene age.   Scientists have long predicted the world’s glaciers will retreat as temperatures warm but the study’s analysis of rock samples adjacent to four glaciers in the Andes Mountains shows that glacial retreat in the tropics has happened much faster and has already passed an alarming cross-epoch benchmark.   As Earth’s climate heats up, the findings signal more of the world’s glaciers are likely retreating faster than predicted, possibly decades ahead of the climatological schedule. The findings have been published in the international journal Science and was led by Boston College in collaboration with scientists from University of Galway, UC Berkeley, University of Wisconsin, Tulane University, Aix-Marseille University, Aspen Global Change Institute, Ohio State University, Union College, Université Grenoble Alpes, and Purdue University. When glaciers shrink, the underlying bedrock is suddenly exposed to the stream of cosmic radiation constantly bombarding Earth. Similar to a sunburn, this radiation causes microscopic nuclear reactions inside the bedrock that produce rare isotopes, such as beryllium-10 and carbon-14. Scientists measure the concentration of these isotopes to calculate how long landscapes have been buried by ice and establish when glaciers were last as small as today. The rocks being exposed by melting glaciers in Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia contain such small amounts of cosmogenic isotopes that the researchers were able to conclude these tropical ice masses have not been so small for at least 11,700 years, and potentially much longer. The rate at which the glaciers are melting suggests that the tropical climate can no longer be classified as belonging to the Holocene interglacial period, the last 11,700 years of relatively stable climate in which civilisation has flourished. Instead, the tropics may be best classified by a new period that will spell the end of glaciers in the high tropical Andes: the Anthropocene.   University of Galway climate scientist and co-author of the study, Dr Gordon Bromley led the collection of bedrock samples in the high Sierra Nevada del Cocuy in Colombia.               Dr Bromley said: “Glaciers are the poster child of human-caused global warming and are currently shrinking on a global scale as atmospheric temperatures rise. Our team uses glaciers as natural thermometers to track the magnitude of modern climate change and provide much-needed context of today’s rapid ice loss. Using a revolutionary technique called cosmogenic nuclide surface-exposure dating, we have reconstructed the growth and decay of glaciers in the high-altitude tropical Andes, which is arguably the most sensitive environment on Earth to climate change. “We found that modern glaciers in Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia are smaller today than they have been for the entirety of the Holocene interglacial and conclude that the magnitude of modern ice loss is unprecedented. “This sets a grim new benchmark for our monitoring of human-driven climate change and also demonstrates how the high-altitude tropics, home to some of the most irreplaceable ecosystems on Earth, are also the most sensitive – and thus vulnerable – parts of our planet to global warming.” Ends

UrbanLab Galway, an initiative of University of Galway, has unveiled a perspective-shifting art installation in Salthill Park, Galway, as part of the Architecture on the Edge festival. Samhlú Salthill is a canvas which reimagines the urban space and presents a glimpse of the potential future, allowing the viewer to look out to Galway Bay and to the well-known Leisureland complex and how they might look in decades to come. The installation combines with the UrbanLab App to take the experience further, allowing visitors to unlock additional layers of change through augmented reality. Dr Patrick Collins, Director of UrbanLab Galway and lecturer in Geography at University of Galway, said: "The Samhlú Salthill installation is a combination of perspective and imagination. It uses anamorphic techniques to create stunning visual effects that change as viewers move around it. “From one angle, you might see one potential future for Salthill. But as you shift your position, the image changes to reveal alternative future visions for the area. It's a powerful metaphor for the transformative power of community-driven urban planning. “This anamorphic artwork isn't just a feast for the eyes; it's a catalyst for conversation. Thanks to the Urban Lab and our app, each image contains elements drawn from our ongoing public consultation, where we are asking people in Galway to identify locations and how they could be reimagined, redeveloped, enhanced, reopened. “As people interact with the art, they're literally seeing their community's ideas take shape before their eyes." Samhlú Salthill was strategically placed in Salthill Park, across from the well-known Leisureland complex, a space ripe for revitalisation. The project is backed by Galway City Council, Science Foundation Ireland, and University of Galway and serves as both an artistic landmark and a focal point for community discussion. Dr Collins explains: "Anyone who downloads the UrbanLab app can then use it and point their phone at the artwork, and watch as digital elements spring to life. We want people to share their reactions and ideas directly through the app. This fusion of physical art and digital interaction creates a truly unique public forum." Ends

Frequent fizzy drinks doubles the risk of stroke More than 4 cups of coffee a day increases chances of a stroke by a third Drinking water and tea may reduce risk of stroke  Frequent drinking of fizzy drinks or fruit juice is associated with an increased risk of stroke, according to new findings from global research studies co-led by University of Galway, in collaboration with McMaster University Canada and an international network of stroke researchers. The research also found that drinking more than four cups of coffee per day also increases the risk of stroke. The findings come from two analyses of the INTERSTROKE research project which have been published – the effects of fizzy drinks, fruit juice/drink and water was reported in the Journal of Stroke; and the findings related to tea and coffee in the International Journal of Stroke. Stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut-off and damages brain cells - it can either be ischemic stroke, which is usually due to a blood clot, or when there intracerebral haemorrhage, which is bleeding into the brain tissue. INTERSTROKE is one of the largest international studies of risk factors for stroke, involving almost 27,000 people, in 27 countries, including almost 13,500 people who experienced their first stroke. Those who took part in the study came from a broad range of geographical and ethnic backgrounds, with different cardiovascular risk profiles, including Ireland and the UK. The study which focused on people’s consumption of fizzy drinks and fruit juice found: Fizzy drinks, including both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened such as diet or zero sugar, were linked with a 22% increased chance of stroke, and the risk increased sharply with two or more of these drinks a day The link between fizzy drinks and chance of stroke was greatest in Eastern/Central Europe and Middle East, Africa, and South America The research noted that many products marketed as fruit juice are made from concentrates and contain added sugars and preservatives, which may offset the benefits usually linked with fresh fruit, and actually increase stroke risk Fruit juice drinks were linked with a 37% increase in chance of stroke due to bleeding (intracranial haemorrhage). With two of these drinks a day, the risk triples Women show the greatest increased chance of stroke due to bleeding (intracranial haemorrhage) linked to fruit juice/drinks Drinking more than 7 cups of water a day was linked with a reduced odds of stroke caused by a clot Lead researcher on both studies Professor Andrew Smyth, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at University of Galway and Consultant Physician at Galway University Hospitals, said: “Not all fruit drinks are created equal - freshly squeezed fruit juices are most likely to bring benefits, but fruit drinks made from concentrates, with lots of added sugars and preservatives, may be harmful. Our research also shows that the chance of stroke increases the more often someone consumes fizzy drinks. “As a doctor and as someone who has researched the risk of stroke, we would encourage people to avoid or minimise their consumption of fizzy and fruit drinks, and to consider switching to water instead.” The study which focused on people’s consumption of coffee and tea found: Drinking more than four cups of coffee a day increased chance of stroke by 37%, but not associated with stroke risk for lower intakes Drinking tea was linked with a reduced chance of stroke by 18-20% Drinking 3-4 cups per day of black tea - including Breakfast and Earl Grey teas, but not green tea or herbal teas - was linked with a 29% lower chance of stroke Drinking 3-4 cups per day of green tea was linked with a 27% lower chance of stroke Adding milk may reduce or block the beneficial effects of antioxidants that can be found in tea. The reduced chance of stroke from drinking tea was lost for those that added milk There were important geographical differences in the findings - tea was linked with lower chance of stroke in China and South America but higher chance of stroke in South Asia Professor Martin O’Donnell, Executive Dean of College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway and Consultant Stroke Physician at Galway University Hospitals, co-leads the INTERSTROKE study in partnership with Professor Salim Yusuf of the Population Health Research Institute at McMaster University, Canada.             Professor O’Donnell said: “A key goal of the INTERSTROKE study is to provide usable information on how to reduce one’s risk of stroke. While hypertension is the most important risk factor, our stroke risk can also be lowered through healthy lifestyle choices in diet and physical activity. The current study adds further information on what constitutes healthy choices on daily intake of beverages.” A series of findings have been released as part of the wider INTERSTROKE project and can be accessed here.  Ends

Tá Ollscoil na Gaillimhe réidh chun fáilte a chur roimh na mílte mac léinn féideartha, tuismitheoirí, comhairleoirí gairmthreorach agus múinteoirí chuig Laethanta Oscailte na bliana seo – na cinn is mó riamh. Reáchtáltar an imeacht seo thar dhá lá i gcúig spás taispeántais suite ar fud an champais seo i lár na cathrach agus cois abhann, agus áirítear ann na céadta cainteanna ar chúrsaí agus ar ábhair chomh maith le deiseanna do dhaltaí blaiseadh ceart a fháil de shaol na hOllscoile seo. Beidh laethanta oscailte an fhómhair ar siúl Dé hAoine agus Dé Sathairn, an 4 agus an 5 Deireadh Fómhair, ó 9:00am go 3:00pm gach lá. Bhí an méid seo le rá ag Sarah Geraghty, Stiúrthóir Earcaíochta Mac Léinn agus For-rochtana in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: “Is é cuspóir na Laethanta Oscailte seo blaiseadh ceart a thabhairt do mhic léinn ar shaol na hollscoile, agus é a chur ar a súile dóibh an t-iliomad deiseanna iontacha atá amach rompu. Is údar bróid dúinn a bheith rangaithe i measc an 2% is fearr d’ollscoileanna an domhain, agus i measc an 100 is fearr san Eoraip! Níos fearr ná sin, táimid rangaithe sa 34ú háit ar domhan, agus sa chéad áit in Éirinn, de réir Ranguithe Tionchair THE de thoradh ár gcuid oibre ar Spriocanna Forbartha Inbhuanaithe na Náisiún Aontaithe. “Tá ár léachtóirí, comhaltaí foirne agus mic léinn reatha iontacha ar bís le bualadh leo siúd a bheidh ina mic léinn amach anseo, agus cuidiú leo eolas a fháil ar na roghanna spreagúla staidéir agus gairme go léir atá ar fáil dóibh. Cuirimid os cionn 60 fochéim ar fáil a aithnítear go hidirnáisiúnta, lena n-áirítear Leigheas, Altranas, Eolaíochtaí Sláinte, na Dána, Eolaíocht, Innealtóireacht, Gnó, Dlí agus Bainistíocht Óstáin. Ina theannta sin, soláthraíonn breis agus 90% de na cúrsaí deiseanna chun tabhairt faoi shocrúchán oibre agus/nó staidéar thar lear chun a chinntiú go mbíonn céimithe réidh don ionad oibre, agus go mbíonn tóir ag fostóirí sa bhaile agus thar lear orthu. Níl an ollscoil seo le sárú ó thaobh na ndeiseanna foghlama atá ar fáil ón sárthaighde agus teagasc a bhíonn ar siúl ag na comhaltaí foirne acadúla anseo, rud a réiteoidh daoine óga do ghairm thairbheach áit ar bith ar domhan.” Buaicphointe Laethanta Oscailte na bliana seo is ea go dtabharfar rochtain eisiach ar roinnt de na háiseanna teagaisc agus foghlama is nuálaí dá bhfuil againn. Ina measc: Is féidir le daltaí atá ag cuimhneamh tabhairt faoin altranas amach anseo turas a fháil ar na háiseanna Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais. Cuirfear tús leis na turais in Áras Mhaighe Seola, an Zón Glas, ag 1pm agus 1:30pm an dá lá. Dóibh siúd ar spéis leo cúrsaí Dlí, ná cailltear an deis cuairt a thabhairt ar Chúirt Bhréige Scoil an Dlí ina n-athchruthaítear éispéireas an tseomra cúirte! Tá cúig thuras in aghaidh an lae, ach ní mór clárú roimh ré ag Seastán 45 sa Zón Oráiste. Tabharfaidh Coláiste na hEolaíochta agus na hInnealtóireachta turais ar Áras iontach na hInnealtóireachta, a thosófar i bhforhalla an Zóin Ghlais. Ba cheart do mhic léinn a bhfuil spéis acu san Fhisic clárú ag Seastán 6 sa Zón Corcra le haghaidh turas spreagúil ar na saotharlanna Fisice. Is féidir le lucht spéise na Drámaíochta páirt a ghlacadh i Máistir-rang Drámaíochta ag 1pm, nó i dturas ar Ionad Uí Dhonnchadha don Drámaíocht, an Amharclannaíocht agus an Taibhléiriú i bhforhalla an Zóin Ghoirm ag 11:30am. Beidh deis ag daoine a bhfuil dúil acu i gcúrsaí spóirt bualadh le cóitseálaithe agus lúthchleasaithe chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil ar na scoláireachtaí spóirt agus na háiseanna den scoth atá ar fáil anseo. Beidh na sonraí go léir le fáil gach lá in The Cube, sa Zón Oráiste. Ina theannta sin, tabharfar deis do dhaltaí lóistín an champais a fheiceáil agus blaiseadh a fháil de shaol an mhic léinn. Cuirfear fáilte roimh thuismitheoirí chuig léacht speisialta do Thuismitheoirí ag 11:30am Dé Sathairn, ina bhfaighidh siad go leor leideanna faoin gcaoi is fearr chun tacú le mic léinn agus iad ag aistriú go dtí an ollscoil. Is gá clárú roimh ré, agus tá tuilleadh eolais agus an clár iomlán ar fáil ag www.universityofgalway.ie/opendays, nó trí ríomhphost a sheoladh chuig opendays@universityofgalway.ie. Críoch

University of Galway is set to welcome thousands of prospective students, parents, guidance counsellors and teachers to this year’s Open Days - the largest ever. The event runs over two days with five exhibition spaces spread across the city-centre, riverside campus, with more than 100 course and subject talks and opportunities for students to get a real feel for what life at the University is all about. The Open Days take place on Friday, October 4th, and Saturday, October 5th, from 9:00am to 3:00pm each day. Sarah Geraghty, Director of Student Recruitment and Outreach at University of Galway, said: “Our Open Days are all about giving students a real feel for college life and showing just how many incredible opportunities lie ahead. We're proud to be ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide and in the top 100 in Europe! Even better, we're ranked 34th globally and number 1 in Ireland by the THE Impact Rankings for our work on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. “Our amazing lecturers, staff, and current students can’t wait to meet future students and help them discover all the exciting study and career paths waiting for them. We offer more than 60 internationally recognised undergraduate degrees including Medicine, Nursing, Health Sciences, Arts, Science, Engineering, Business, Law and Hotel Management. And alongside that, more than 90% of the courses offer a work placement and/or study abroad opportunity, ensuring graduates are workplace ready, and much sought after by employers at home and abroad. The opportunities to learn from the excellent research and outstanding teaching of our academic staff is second to none and will set any young person up for a rewarding career, anywhere in the world.” A highlight of this year’s Open Days will be exclusive access to some of our most innovative teaching and learning facilities including: Future nursing students can tour the Nursing and Midwifery facilities, with tours departing from Áras Moyola, Green Zone at 1pm and 1:30pm on both days. Law enthusiasts should not miss a chance to visit the School of Law’s Moot Court, which replicates a real courtroom experience! There are five tours daily, and advance registration is required at Stand 45 in the Orange Zone. The College of Science and Engineering will host tours of their impressive Engineering Building, with tours starting from the Green Zone foyer. Students interested in Physics should register at Stand 6 in the Purple Zone for an exciting tour of our Physics labs. Drama lovers can participate in a Drama Master Class at 1pm, or take a tour of the O’Donoghue Drama and Theatre Performance Centre at the Blue Zone Foyer at 11:30am. Sports enthusiast will have the opportunity to meet with coaches and athletes to learn more about our sports scholarships and state-of-the-art facilities. Full details will be available in The Cube in the Orange Zone daily. Students will also have the chance to explore the campus accommodation and get a taste of student life, and parents are invited to attend a special Parents’ Talk at 11:30am on Saturday, packed with helpful tips on how to best support students as they transition to university. Advance registration is required, with further information and the full programme available at www.universityofgalway.ie/opendays, or by emailing opendays@universityofgalway.ie. Ends

Clinical data showing the prevention of hair loss and peripheral neuropathy in chemotherapy patients sees ARTIS Ventures lead investment syndicate which includes heavyweight Silicon Valley backers such as 8VC and Lachy Groom. Luminate, a University of Galway spin-out company that aims to help deliver cancer treatment at home, has raised $15 million in a Series A investment. The funding comes after first-in-patient clinical trials of the company’s devices to prevent hair loss and peripheral neuropathy in chemotherapy patients showed successful results. 30 jobs are being created at the company’s Galway base as it prepares to launch in the US next year. The round was led by ARTIS Ventures, with participation from Metaplanet, Lachy Groom, 8VC, and healthcare executives from companies such as Dexcom, alongside existing investors SciFounders, Faber and others. Research suggests that over 10% of cancer patients’ lives are spent in hospital. Luminate is developing a series of products to enable home administration of anti-cancer treatments, allowing patients to spend less time in clinic. For physicians, Luminate’s technology helps to meet the growing demand for cancer infusion clinic space caused by rising numbers of cancer cases. To enable at-home cancer treatment, Luminate is developing a series of technologies to prevent treatment side effects that require in-person monitoring, facilitate patient-led delivery of therapeutics, and monitor key adverse events during treatment. The company’s first two products focus on preventing the side effects of cancer treatment which require in-clinic monitoring. Lilac, a wearable set of gloves and boots, is designed to prevent peripheral nerve damage in the hands and feet of cancer patients – a debilitating condition that requires frequent in-person monitoring of patients. Meanwhile, Lily, a wearable cap-like device designed to be worn during chemotherapy, allows patients to prevent hair loss caused by chemotherapy. In addition to these initial products, the team has begun the development of a novel system, Lotus, designed to enable at-home administration of low-risk anti-cancer drugs by patients. Luminate, which participated in the Y Combinator S21 Batch, plans to use the funds to continue development of its Lotus technology through to first-in-patient trials, and to complete large-scale clinical trials of its Lily and Lilac products in the US, before proceeding to FDA review and market launch. First revenues from its side effect prevention platform are expected in 2025.             Aaron Hannon, CEO and Co-Founder of Luminate, said: “Our mission at Luminate is to deliver every cancer treatment in the patient’s home. In order to make home delivery possible, we need to build tools to prevent side effects that require in-person monitoring, monitor urgent adverse events during treatment, and enable patients to complete infusion procedures alone. This funding allows us to take the first step of this vision: showing we can prevent important adverse events like neuropathy in large scale trials and on the market. Alongside achieving these key milestones, we continue to expand our world class team in the US and Ireland, with a number of open roles in product development, operations, and clinical. We’re excited to partner with a strong investor base to make our vision of at-home cancer care a reality.”             Commenting on the fundraise, Austin Walne, Partner at ARTIS Ventures said: "Luminate has an opportunity to significantly reduce the painful side effects cancer patients endure when undergoing chemotherapy treatments. The Luminate team have the potential to unlock value for private practice oncologists across the United States, reduce costs to insurers through at-home care delivery, and create a better experience for patients while they fight to win their battles with cancer.” Luminate was founded in 2018 by Aaron Hannon, Dr Barbara Oliveira and Professor Martin O’Halloran when the group were working as medical device researchers at the University of Galway, Ireland. Headquartered at the University’s Business Innovation Centre, the team has since grown to over 33 people employed in the US, Ireland, and Georgia. The current funding round brings the University of Galway spin out’s total funding to over $25 million to date, including grant funding from Europe’s EIC Accelerator and Enterprise Ireland’s Disruptive Technology Innovation Fund. The company is currently recruiting for roles in software development, electronics, mechanical design, R&D, and manufacturing to join the team at its Galway office, and clinical researchers to join its remote US workforce as it launches US multi-centre studies. Ends

Active* Consent reports on research and impact in 2023/24    Programme calls on the Further and Higher Education and Training sectors to set firm targets for education and prevention    Active* Consent wants every student and staff member prepared to respond to consent, sexual violence and harassment.    The Active* Consent programme based at University of Galway has called for the Further and Higher Education and Training sectors to set firm targets for consent education and sexual violence prevention among students and staff.   The programme has released a report on its work over the 2023-2024 academic year with almost 25,000 First Year students in Higher Education engaging with the Active* Consent orientation resource.    Active* Consent marked the report launch at an event in Dublin, with calls for institutions in the Higher Education and Further Education and Training sector to ensure that:  At least 80% of incoming Higher Education students engage with consent education during their orientation or induction. Further Education and Training learners should be supported to have access to the same level of consent education as is available for students in Higher Education. All students receive consent education and sexual violence prevention at multiple points during their third level experience. All staff engage in awareness-raising and training activities.  Professor Pádraig MacNeela from the School of Psychology at University of Galway said: “A lot of progress has been made in Further and Higher Education in recent years, but the time has come for these sectors to set firm targets for consent education and sexual violence prevention. Every student and staff member needs to be adequately prepared to address consent, sexual violence, and harassment in a meaningful and lasting way.”    Dr Siobhán O’Higgins, Education and Training Co-Lead on the Active* Consent programme, said: “Student feedback on Active* Consent education resources supports the argument that consent education should be rolled out to everyone who comes to college, backed up by campus campaigns and staff training.”   Active* Consent in the 2023-2024 academic year  Active* Consent’s programme ethos is that consent is ongoing, mutual, and freely given, for all relationships, genders and orientations. Its education model promotes a community-wide culture of consent using brief messaging, workshops, arts-based interventions, specialised staff training and research.   The Active* Consent orientation resource  Almost 25,000 First Year students in Higher Education engaged with the Active* Consent orientation resource in 2023-2024 academic year. Some 8,338 of these students completed a survey on their experience with 80% agreeing that they learned something useful, while 91% would recommend it to a friend.    Other student feedback during the year revealed:  94% of students who took part in a 1-hour in-person consent workshop said they learned something useful, and 90% would recommend it to their peers.   87% of the students who completed Active* Consent’s 40-minute eLearning resource agreed that it would help them to intervene in problematic situations involving their peers, while 90% said that it would help them to support their peers if they have a negative sexual experience.  Supporting student leadership: A new Active* Champions peer education training was piloted over the past year.    Gemma MacNally, Clinical and Therapeutic Lead with the Active* Consent programme, said: “In the past year, Active* Champions have delivered consent workshops, created art projects, hosted information stalls, and advised on university policy changes. By supporting peer education, Higher Education institutions inspire student leaders to lead out on culture change, and expand their own capacity to engage the whole campus community.”    Preparing staff: Active* Consent has made significant strides in providing staff training, with more than 2,000 staff members taking part in awareness raising and training in consent education in the Further Education and Training sector.   Active* Consent Research  All Active* Consent educational resources incorporate research evidence. As an example of this research, we are sharing the results of an exploratory online survey in which 366 university students reacted to short stories featuring sexist harassment, sexual hostility, online harassment, sexual coercion and sexual consent.   The purpose of this survey was to gather views on these issues as part of the development of new educational resources on sexual violence and harassment.   Survey demographics: 86% were undergraduate students; 72% were female, 23% male, and 5% did not identify with either gender.    Survey findings: Students rated their agreement with the statements following each story.   Students displayed a high level of recognition of sexual violence and online harassment in responses to the stories:  92% considered it online harassment to make disparaging sexual comments on an ex-partner online.  90% agreed that it was sexual coercion if sexual intimacy took place after one person persistently asked for it when the other person did not want to do it.  Student responses to stories on harassment were less consistent. Three quarters of students considered the behaviours described to be wrong, but fewer students agreed that they constituted harassment:  57% of students considered it sexist harassment for someone to show a video mocking women to a group of peers. 47% agreed that it was sexual harassment for one student to make sexual remarks during work meetings to complete a college assignment. Finally, in a story about consent, 42% of the students agreed there was sexual consent in a story about a ‘hook up’ that did not include verbal consent to sex.  On a positive note, students who took part in educational programming – such as engaging in consent workshops and being told about supports, services and definitions – displayed better awareness of services, that alcohol impacts the ability to consent, and a greater intention to intervene if they saw sexual violence and harassment.    Commenting on the students’ responses about what they would do in response to the stories, Clarissa DiSantis, newly appointed Education and Training Co-Lead with the Active* Consent programme, said: “It’s encouraging that 71% of students taking the survey agreed they would intervene if they witnessed harassment, while 76% would be comfortable talking to a peer who makes a disclosure about sexual violence. We must make sure that they have the skills to follow through on their intentions.”   Ends   

Professor Ted Vaughan appointed Interim Director as University sets out ambitious research agenda for public good University of Galway has announced it is to establish the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation, to pursue pioneering research into the understanding of disease, and solutions for healthcare. Professor Ted Vaughan has been appointed Interim Director of the new Institute, which will formally launch on Thursday October 10th 2024 at a special day-long event on campus. The Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation has been designed to spearhead groundbreaking research in understanding diseases and developing healthcare solutions, leveraging the University’s expertise in biomedical science and engineering. The new Institute brings together more than 200 researchers and academics across a wide range of fields of study, from groundbreaking discovery in biology to technological innovation of novel medical devices. University of Galway has also established the Research Institutes Technology Services Directorate, led by Dr Elaine Breslin. It will support the new research Institute and the existing Institute for Clinical Trials, which was formally established last year, by managing core facilities and technologies and by introducing new resources, to foster a world-class research ecosystem. The combined institutional investment in new research capacity will enhance the harnessing of scientific breakthroughs for the benefit of clinical trials and healthcare, by accelerating the provision of potentially disruptive and cutting-edge therapies and medical solutions, and how they are applied in the treatment of disease. Professor Peter McHugh, Interim President of University of Galway, said: “The establishment of the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation, alongside the recently established Institute for Clinical Trials marks a step-change and a highly ambitious strategic approach to research at University of Galway. “People are our strength and the research work of our people in these institutions, and in partnership with others, will enable the translation of fundamental scientific research into potentially life-changing treatments and interventions that directly benefit society - fulfilling our mission to be here for public good. “We are a research-led institution, and the combined strength, capacity and expertise of these two institutes will allow us to expand our ambition and research agenda by bringing new discoveries and technologies into clinical practice while offering yet more learning and opportunities for our students, researchers and academics.” Professor Laoise McNamara, Head of School of Engineering, said: "The foundation of the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation is strong, built upon many years of pioneering research in biomedical engineering and health sciences at University of Galway. Its establishment marks a significant step change in our efforts, which seeks to empower our researchers to make substantial progress in our mission to develop cutting-edge therapies and innovative technologies. It will also enhance the environment for student learning by providing excellent research facilities, along with opportunities for research internships and enhanced research-led teaching." Executive Dean of the College of Science and Engineering, Professor Walter Gear, said: “Professor Vaughan’s blend of both fundamental and applied research and innovation, his track record in research leadership and his experience of working collaboratively with the medtech industry, positions him to provide the leadership and impetus to build on our existing strengths to enable an acceleration of fundamental and applied understanding of disease, and an application of this understanding and knowledge to pre-clinical research to provide potential disruptive solutions for health.” Professor Ted Vaughan, Interim Director of the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation at University of Galway, said: “Our vision is to create the best possible environment in University of Galway for our research community to develop new healthcare technologies. We aim to address any remaining gaps in the research development pipeline from scientific discovery to innovation. “We want to support our research community to discovery, develop and deploy novel technologies and therapies to facilitate earlier detection and diagnosis, to reduce treatment times, to improve clinical outcomes for patients, and really pave the way for next generation technology in health.” The Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation will be led out of the College of Science and Engineering at University of Galway, creating a new environment to integrate and expand the excellence of the University’s research. It will operate in close collaboration with the University’s Institute for Clinical Trials, as well as CÚRAM, the Research Ireland-Taighde Éireann funded centre for medical devices, and BioInnovate, the Enterprise Ireland Innovators’ Initiative programme. This strategic combination of expertise will facilitate sustained, research-led development at University of Galway, further positioning Galway as the centre of Ireland’s global medtech hub and a significant contributor to economic growth and regional development.  Ends  

Two University of Galway researchers have been given the green light as part of Health Research Board funding for research to address health challenges. Dr Sinéad Lydon, Behavioural Psychologist with the School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, is leading a project that will allow patients to play an active role in ensuring safe care in hospitals. Dr Lydon has been awarded €408,085 for “Patient Involvement in Patient Safety - The PIPS Study” which will design an approach to patients playing a role in safety data collection in adult inpatient hospital care. This will provide evidence-based guidance for policy makers, health service managers and providers on how patients can best be involved in the data collection to support improved patient safety. Professor Andrew Smyth, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at the School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, will lead a project to examine the sources, benefits and harms of higher potassium intake and its associations with health, need for hospitalisation, cognitive function, physical function and mortality. Professor Smyth has been awarded €412,340 for “Sources and Health Impacts of Dietary Potassium (SHIP)” which aims to provide novel insights, inform dietary recommendations and population-level interventions to reduce non-communicable disease, including heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease.             Professor Jim Livesey, Vice-President for Research and Innovation at University of Galway, said: “The HRB funding awards to Dr Lydon and Professor Smyth is testament to the high-quality, patient-oriented and health research taking place at the University. Both projects will help to address important questions for health and social care and contribute to improvements in human health for patients globally. The scheme is a highly competitive process and I congratulate both of them on their success.” The HRB fund includes 29 Investigator-Led Projects across three overarching themes; patient-oriented research, population health research, and health service research. Ends

Irish Centre for Human Rights partners with Art for Human Rights and Human Rights in China and other rights organisations in special tribute A bronze bust of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Liu Xiaobo commissioned by Art for Human Rights and Human Rights in China (HRIC) has been donated to the Irish Centre for Human Rights at University of Galway. The sculpture was unveiled in the presence of Professor Siobhán Mullally, Director of the Centre, Bill Shipsey Founder and Director of Art for Human Rights and Fengsuo Zhou Director of HRIC - a friend of Liu Xiaobo and a fellow student leader during the Tiananmen Square Protests in 1989 - and several leaders of other international human rights organisations. The special dedication event also included a presentation and discussion with Irish Centre for Human Rights students and staff. The bust, by Czech sculptor Marie Šeborová, is the first bronze bust of the late Nobel Prize Laureate, poet and human rights defender to be placed on a university campus anywhere in the world. It will have a permanent home in the Irish Centre for Human Rights. The project has been realised in partnership with ARTICLE 19, Index on Censorship, Front Line Defenders, International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) and Humanitarian China. Professor Siobhán Mullally, Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the University of Galway, said: “We are honoured to participate in this project, to honour Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Liu Xiaobo. Liu Xiaobo’s lifelong commitment to the pursuit of human rights and democracy, and his remarkable courage in the face of adversity, exemplify the values and purpose of the Irish Centre for Human Rights. As a human rights defender, Liu Xiaobo devoted his life to the struggle for freedom and equality, challenging the everyday denials of justice, and abuses of state power. It is fitting that we honour him here today, where students, alumni and staff, commit daily to the pursuit of a more just world.” Interim President of University of Galway, Professor Peter McHugh, said: “The dedication of the bust of Liu Xiaobo on our University of Galway campus is in keeping with the value which our community places on the pursuit of human rights. It is also symbolic of our efforts to recognise those who have gone before us in this endeavour and I hope it acts as a constant source of inspiration to all those who are engaged with the Irish Centre for Human Rights and our wider student, staff, research and alumni community.” Fengsuo Zhou of Human Rights in China said: “I had the honour of standing alongside Liu Xiaobo on Tiananmen Square and later sharing prison time with him in high security Qincheng Prison. He passed away while still in incarceration, without ever receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. From the Tiananmen protests to Charter 08, and ultimately to his martyrdom in 2017, he symbolised the peaceful struggle for freedom and democracy in China. We honour his memory by erecting a statue in his name. His legacy continues to inspire us all.” Bill Shipsey of Art for Human Rights, said: “The Chinese Communist Party has tried to erase Liu Xiaobo’s memory since his death in a military hospital in China in 2017. But his words will outlast those of any autocratic leader and will be remembered and cherished by freedom loving and human rights respecting people everywhere. Say his name ‘Liu Xiaobo’. Art outlasts tyranny.” Ends

Universities in Ireland, Poland and Spain have come together to create new studies on all aspects of housing in Europe.   The online programmes are designed for national housing and European policymakers, housing and property professionals, housing managers, students, housing providers, NGOs and others.   Key European housing issues - from rights, to tenure, to homelessness, to roles of professionals and stakeholders - are explained by top European housing experts, in 48 short, accessible sections, with national examples, and up to date references.   The Centre for Housing Law, Rights and Policy at University of Galway developed the new Online Course on EU Housing Studies - available at https://www.housingstudies.eu/about-us - along with University of Silesia in Poland, the UNESCO Housing Chair at University Rovira I Virgili in Spain, and others.   Professor Padraic Kenna, Director of the Centre for Housing Law, Rights and Policy at University of Galway, said: “Housing is now recognised as a European Union issue by President Ursula von der Leyen. However, almost all housing and associated professional training, research and policymaking is focussed on national level issues. What we are aiming to achieve with this new approach is to bridge the knowledge gap which currently exists - identifying and relating the housing issues which are impacted by the EU, its policy making, and which affect its 450 million citizens.   “This will become an essential part of all progressive housing-related training and policymaking in the years ahead and will be invaluable for national housing and European policymakers, housing and property professionals, housing managers, students in housing and housing related professions, housing providers, NGOs and others. It provides an invaluable introduction to the area for those building a career and specialisation in housing anywhere in the EU.”   The course is fully-funded and was developed through EU Erasmus funding and provides accurate up to date information on all aspects of housing in Europe. Participants may proceed from the initial fully-funded course to accredited certification on paying a registration fee.    It addresses such issues as: Access and tenure of housing; Housing as market; Transactions with homes and funding; Roles and functions of Housing and Property Professionals and Stakeholders in Europe; Housing, city, territory and environment; Housing and New Technologies; Theory of housing studies; The right to housing; Development of housing; Forced loss and lack of housing.   Ends

University of Galway students and staff will host SDG Week from September 16th-21st - dedicated to increasing awareness, engagement and action to help achieve the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG Week includes a mix of student and staff-led events, such as guided walks along the University’s biodiversity and SDG trails, seminars, roundtables, poster presentations, second-hand/pre-loved clothes sale and a quiz night. Among the highlights is a panel discussion - Engineering a sustainable transport system for Galway and the West Region – focusing on traffic congestion, with engineering experts addressing the Galway City Transport Strategy, Very Light Rail, Galway to Oughterard Greenway and sustainable mobility teaching and research. The event takes place on Tuesday evening, September 17th, in the Alice Perry Engineering Building. Deputy President & Registrar at University of Galway, Professor Becky Whay, said: “As the number one university in Ireland for sustainability, University of Galway is proud to host our second annual SDG Week. In 2023, the Government of Ireland designated University of Galway as a national SDG Champion and building on this success the University is now a national SDG Ambassador. Through SDG Week, we are advocating global sustainability and offering a platform for sustainability research and learning, with a focus on the education opportunities for our students.”  Another highlight of the week will be a talk by Professor Leon Tikly, University of Bristol, on tackling the decolonisation of higher education – the fundamental reconsideration of what is taught; how it is taught; who is teaching; and what traditional and inherent biases are in play. University of Galway Director of Sustainability, Dr Richard Manton, said: “University of Galway is using SDG Week to show some of the practical ways that people can adopt sustainable practices in their everyday lives: whether it’s a second-hand clothes sale, adding a pond to Terryland Forest Park or working with biomaterials at the Burren College of Art. We invite the public to experience our beautiful campus by joining a guided tour of our SDG Trail and Biodiversity Trail. Check out our website for a full list of events.” SDG Week will also see the launch of the University’s Annual Sustainability Report for 2023/24, which highlights and celebrates outstanding contributions from across our University community to progress the SDGs. A full SDG Week event listing is available at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/sdgweek/ Ends

 University of Galway hosts the 49th Sir Peter Freyer Memorial Lecture and Surgical Symposium, the largest Surgical Conference in Ireland this weekend.   The event offers a unique platform for healthcare professionals to present their research and clinical work and allows for merging of both scientific and clinical information.   The symposium is named in memory of the Galway-born surgeon, Sir Peter Freyer, who performed the first successful surgical operation to remove an enlarged prostate in 1900.     This year’s gathering will offer a forum to discuss the future of surgical training in Ireland and the implications of Sláintecare, the Government’s 10-year programme which was launched in 2018 to transform our health and social care services.   The symposium will hear keynote addresses from leading surgeons from America and Ireland, a focus on regionalisation, surgical care delivery and training and research and education sessions across the various surgical subspecialties.    Professor Keith Lillemoe, Surgeon-in-Chief and Chief of the Department of Surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and the W. Gerald Austin Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School, will deliver the Memorial Lecture on Friday September 6th. Professor Lillemoe is also a Senior Director of the American Board of Surgery and in 2015 was inducted into the John Hopkins Society of Scholars. His lecture will be on the surgical leadership and mentoring in the modern era.     Professor Ronan Cahill is Professor of Surgery at University College Dublin and the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. He is also Director of the Centre for Precision Surgery and the Digital Surgery Unit at UCD. He will deliver the State of the Art Lecture on Saturday September 7th.     Professor of Surgery at University of Galway, Dr Michael Kerin, who is hosting the event, said: “We are delighted to welcome Professor Lillemoe and Professor Cahill to our University and to this symposium. Their impactful work focuses on delivering high quality surgical care and achieving best outcomes for patients in the modern era, encompassing issues related to service provision, surgical training and support and gender equality in healthcare. Both lectures at the centre-point of a comprehensive programme showcasing some of the finest surgical research in this country.    “This conference signals the start of the academic year, and has been a mainstay of the National Academic Surgical Platform with input from a diverse group of consultants and trainees across all specialties in Irish surgery. We anticipate an enriching experience and engaging discussions aimed at shaping the future of surgical practice and education within our community, which will be invaluable in fostering collaboration and innovation in the surgical specialities.”   The full programme of events for the conference is available at https://freyer.ie/    Ends   

A University of Galway researcher whose work focuses on therapies for cancers of the brain has been awarded a prestigious €1.5million grant by the European Research Council. Dr Catalina Vallejo Giraldo, School of Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, is also based at CÚRAM Research Centre for Medical Devices, funded by Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland, where her research combines biomaterials, brain mechanobiology and medicine to develop new targeted brain treatments. Dr Vallejo Giraldo’s €1.5million award is an ERC Starting Grant - given to talented early-career scientists who are embarking on independent work and show clear potential to be a research leader. Her current research is investigating cell-cell interactions in the brain and how they are influenced by the interplay within the cell environment, as well as altering the signals in the brain that manipulate cell fate. This research has the potential to develop and improve neuro-oncology therapies. The ERC Starter Grant will allow Dr Vallejo Giraldo to focus on the development of a new cancer therapy using a soft gel that contains a cancer fighting drug and is patterned with narrow channels to encourage the entry of cancer cells. Once inside, the cancer cells become trapped and compressed, disrupting their DNA repair mechanisms and rendering them susceptible to damage. This approach will improve drug-radiation effectiveness and allow localised therapy of brain cancer. Dr Catalina Vallejo Giraldo said: “Available drugs are only partially effective, and they work by damaging cancer cell DNA in combination with radiotherapy. In response, cancer cells ramp-up DNA repair processes, rendering these treatments largely ineffective. Mechanical deformation of the nucleus may transiently render cells highly susceptible to DNA damage and may represent a powerful adjunct approach for the treatment of brain tumours, where resistance to conventional DNA-targeting therapies is a significant contributor to therapy failure." Dr Vallejo Giraldo’s PhD training under Professor Manus Biggs, University of Galway lecturer with the College of Science and Engineering and researcher at CÚRAM, and subsequent postdoctoral work, have given her the experience of interacting with and leading multidisciplinary teams that involve members from academia, industry and the clinic including Universidad EIA, Colombia; Imperial College London; Cardiff University, UK; Neurent Medical, Galway; and the Mayo Clinic in the US. Dr Vallejo Giraldo added: “This is an enormous opportunity to work on a project I have been building towards for the last few years while training talented PhD students and post-doctoral researchers. I am exceptionally fortunate and grateful to have found great support from collaborators and mentors around the globe, as well as from University of Galway, CÚRAM, the different research centres, and my Biomedical Engineering discipline. I am particularly grateful to Dr Manus Biggs for his continued support.” Professor Biggs said: “The research that Dr Vallejo Giraldo will carry out with the support of this grant builds upon her previous work on neural biomaterials. Her findings have revealed a crucial necessity to expand upon our current understanding of the fundamentals of the mechanobiology of neural cells to develop novel biomaterials platforms that will expediate clinical translation pathways. I’m extremely proud of what she has been able to accomplish and look forward to Catalina making a significant impact with her future work.” Professor Abhay Pandit, Scientific Director of CÚRAM, said: "We are immensely proud of Dr Vallejo Giraldo and all of our graduates and their accomplishments in both academia and industry. CÚRAM provides high-quality training opportunities that is of great importance to the medtech talent pipeline, and our graduates are adding significantly to Ireland's research environment. The interdisciplinary nature of Dr Vallejo Giraldo’s work is an excellent example of how CÚRAM works to foster collaboration and excellence in research.” EU Research Commissioner Iliana Ivanova said: “The European Commission is proud to support the curiosity and passion of our early-career talent under our Horizon Europe programme. The new ERC Starting Grants winners aim to deepen our understanding of the world. Their creativity is vital to finding solutions to some of the most pressing societal challenges. In this call, I am happy to see one of the highest shares of female grantees to date, a trend that I hope will continue. Congratulations to all!” Ends

Researchers at University of Galway have revealed some of the lived experiences of undergraduate students before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. The report examines barriers to inclusion experienced by different student groups, including international students, those from an ethnic minority, students with disabilities and LGBT+ students. All students were undergraduate students in the College of Business, Public Policy and Law at the University of Galway. The report addresses undergraduate student experiences both before and during the Covid-19 pandemic, with data gathered from 2018 to 2021 through online surveys, individual interviews and focus groups. In total, 1391 students contributed to the research. Dean of Students, Professor Ciara Meehan, launched the report, and said: “The young people who went through education during the pandemic demonstrated enormous achievements and resilience. Every one of them should recognise this and remember that it will stand to them in time. As a University, it is important for us to engage with our students, to hear their voice and to respond appropriately. The pandemic was a unique challenge for us all and we are grateful to our research team of Dr Shivaun Qunilivan and Lucy Ann Buckley for working to record the experiences of our students and offer learnings.” Dr Shivaun Quinlivan, joint lead of the Inclusive Learning at University of Galway project and co-author of the report, said: “In order to improve inclusion, we first have to understand the barriers to inclusion and participation experienced by students at the University of Galway.  We felt it was really important to engage with our students, and hear their voice – this will enable us to take steps to address the issues they face. We hope the lasting legacy of this research will be to improve the learning experience for all our students.” Key findings: A significant majority of students surveyed prior to the pandemic considered their learning environment to be inclusive. In many cases, staff were praised for their commitment and support, and students emphasised that staff were approachable and helpful. Students had different views on the impact of the pandemic, but a significant majority identified negative effects on their learning, including social isolation, decreased motivation, greater anxiety, difficulties accessing learning resources and increased workload. In one survey with second year students, conducted during the pandemic, nearly three quarters of respondents considered that Covid-19 had made their learning environment less inclusive. Racism was not identified as a major difficulty, though some students had negative experiences. Many international students, and also students in large classes, emphasised how difficult it could be to get to know other students, leading to loneliness and isolation. Some international students also highlighted instances of culture shock, leading both to social and learning difficulties. Students who were carers identified the need for greater flexibility in relation to course deadlines and participation, the need to schedule classes and events at accessible times, and difficulties related to childcare that impacted their learning. Students with disabilities raised a range of issues regarding accessibility, including issues relating to physical infrastructure and learning materials. However, they also identified significant positive supports in their learning environment, particularly from the University’s Disability Support Service. Students with disabilities were also more likely to feel excluded at social events. LGBT+ students identified issues related to inclusive language, visibility and representation. Multiple students highlighted the importance of teaching staff using correct pronouns or inviting students to indicate their pronouns in teaching contexts. Some students identified ways in which the learning environment could exclude those who were socially or economically disadvantaged. This included a failure to appreciate the financial strain some students were under, scheduling classes after 5pm (when students needed to work), and in some cases stereotypical assumptions and statements. The report was prepared by the Inclusive Learning in the College of Business, Public Policy and Law project team, led by Dr Shivaun Quinlivan and Professor Lucy-Ann Buckley, with research by Dr Dinali Wijeratne. Recommendations: The report made a range of recommendations for the University, some of which are already acted upon, including the development of an anti-racism policy; reasonable accommodation policy; training on issues related to equality, diversity and inclusion. The report also urged measures to promote accessibility; regular student culture surveys; reduction in class sizes where possible; social events to encourage inclusion and address student isolation; additional resourcing for key support services; and enhanced data gathering and monitoring. Ends  

D’fhógair Ollscoil na Gaillimhe inniu go bhfuil an tOllamh Becky Whay le dul i mbun ról an Uachtaráin Ionaid agus Meabhránaí Eatramhaigh. Dheimhnigh Údarás na hOllscoile ceapachán an Ollaimh Whay. Leanann an deimhniú seo an fógra a rinneadh ar an 4 Iúil go raibh an tOllamh Peter McHugh ag dul i mbun ról an Uachtaráin Eatramhaigh tar éis don Ollamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh éirí as post an Uachtaráin agus sé bliana go leith caite aige i mbun na hoifige sin. Cuireann an tOllamh McHugh tús lena théarma mar Uachtarán Eatramhach an 7 Meán Fómhair agus cuireann an tOllamh Whay tús lena ról mar Uachtarán Ionaid agus Meabhránaí Eatramhach an 9 Meán Fómhair.             Dúirt Uachtarán Eatramhach nua Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh Peter McHugh: “Is mór an t-údar áthais dom ceapachán an Ollaimh Becky Whay a fhógairt, tá iomrá ar an Ollamh Whay sa saol acadúil, mar thaighdeoir agus mar oide araon, agus anuas air sin rinne sí go leor dul chun cinn ar mhaithe le hOllscoil na Gaillimhe agus í ina Leas-Uachtarán Idirnáisiúnta ó 2019 i leith. Táimid muiníneach go rachaidh saineolas, fís agus cur chuige comhoibríoch Becky go mór chun tairbhe an phobail seo againne.”           Dúirt an tOllamh Whay: “Is mór an phribhléid é a bheith ceaptha mar Uachtarán Ionaid agus Meabhránaí Eatramhach agus táim ag tnúth leis na dúshláin chomh maith leis na deiseanna atá romhainn, chun tacú lenár bhfoireann acadúil agus chun na caighdeáin is airde a chinntiú dár gcuid mac léinn, chomh maith le cuidiú le forbairt leanúnach na hollscoile ar mhaithe le leas an phobail.”     Beathaisnéis an Ollaimh Whay Mar Uachtarán Ionaid agus Meabhránaí Eatramhach, tá an tOllamh Whay ina ball d’Fhoireann Bainistíochta na hOllscoile agus den Chomhairle Acadúil; déanfaidh sí ionadaíocht thar ceann an Uachtaráin nuair a bheidh sé as láthair; agus tá freagracht fhoriomlán uirthi as an straitéis acadúil, as arduithe céime acadúla, agus as feabhas acadúil.  Thosaigh an tOllamh Becky Whay ag obair in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe sa bhliain 2019 nuair a ceapadh ina Leas-Uachtarán Idirnáisiúnta í. I mí na Bealtaine 2024, athcheapadh í sa ról sin don dara téarma cúig bliana, agus díríodh den chuid is mó ar Ghaillimh Idirnáisiúnta 2.0 a stiúradh, ar ár Straitéis Idirnáisiúnta, a bheidh lárnach i Straitéis Ollscoil na Gaillimhe 2030 agus ar an dara céim dár Líonra Ollscoileanna Eorpacha – ENLIGHT.  D’oibrigh an tOllamh Becky Whay in Ollscoil Bhriostó roimhe seo, ollscoil atá mar chuid de Ghrúpa ollscoileanna clúiteacha Russell agus atá sa 55ú háit ar domhan agus sa 5ú háit sa Ríocht Aontaithe le haghaidh Taighde, de réir Ranguithe QS an Domhain. Bhí post aici freisin mar Stiúrthóir Idirnáisiúnaithe i nDámh na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte in Ollscoil Bhriostó, dámh mór dhiantaighde a chuimsíonn scoileanna leighis, fiaclóireachta agus tréidliachta na hOllscoile. Faoina stiúrthóireacht mhéadaigh an dámh a pobal mac léinn idirnáisiúnta, cuireadh leis an gcomhoibriú taighde idirnáisiúnta a bhí ar bun agus tháinig fás suntasach ar chomhpháirtíochtaí institiúide idirnáisiúnta. Ag an am céanna, roinn sí freagrachtaí an Chinn Scoile Tréidliachta i mBriostó agus threoraigh sí an Scoil trí thréimhse inar tharla athruithe móra agus inar cuireadh isteach ar chreidiúnú le Veterinary Medical Association Mheiriceá. Tá cáil idirnáisiúnta ar an Ollamh Whay as a cuid taighde ar eallach déiríochta agus ar leas eachaí oibre agus oibríonn sí i limistéir den domhan ina bhfuil idirspleáchas ainmhithe daonna ríthábhachtach don tslí mhaireachtála a bhíonn ag teaghlaigh. Bhí sí ina céad Uachtarán ar an International Society for the Study of Lameness in Ruminants agus bhí sí ina Cathaoirleach ar an Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law Veterinary Association. In 2015, bronnadh gradam CEVA uirthi as Leas Ainmhithe Feirme. Críoch

University of Galway appoints Interim Deputy President and Registrar    University of Galway has today announced Professor Becky Whay is to take up the role of Interim Deputy President and Registrar.   The University’s Governing Authority - Údarás na hOllscoile confirmed Professor Whay’s appointment. The confirmation follows the announcement on July 4th that Professor Peter McHugh was taking on the role of Interim President following the departure of Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh who stepped down as President after six and half years in the role. Professor McHugh begins his term as Interim President on September 7th and Professor Whay begins her role as Interim Deputy President and Registrar on September 9th.             Professor Peter McHugh, incoming Interim President of University of Galway, said: “It is a great pleasure to announce the appointment of Professor Becky Whay, who not only has a very distinguished academic record as a researcher and educator, but has been an outstanding asset to University of Galway as Vice-President International since 2019. We are confident that Becky’s expertise, vision, and collaborative approach will greatly benefit our community.” Professor Whay said: “It is a real privilege to have been appointed Interim Deputy President and Registrar and I look forward to the challenges as well as the opportunities ahead, both in supporting our academics and ensuring the highest standards for our students, as well as helping in the continuing development of our university for the public good.”        Bio of Professor Whay As Interim Deputy President and Registrar, Professor Whay is a member of the University Management Team and Academic Council; deputises for the President in his absence; and has overarching responsibility for academic strategy, academic promotions, and academic quality.    Professor Becky Whay joined University of Galway in 2019 when appointed Vice-President International. In May 2024, she was reappointed to that role for a second five-year term, with much of the focus on leading out Global Galway 2.0, on our International Strategy, which will be central to our University of Galway Strategy 2030 and on the second phase of our European University Network - ENLIGHT.    Professor Becky Whay previously worked at the University of Bristol, which is part of the prestigious Russell Group of universities and is ranked 55th in the world and 5th in the UK for Research, under the QS World Rankings. She also held the post of Director of Internationalisation for the Faculty of Health Sciences at University of Bristol, a large, research intensive faculty supporting the University’s medical, dental and veterinary schools. Under her directorship the faculty grew its international student population, increased the levels of international research collaboration and saw significant growth in international institutional partnerships. At the same time, she shared the Head of School responsibilities for Bristol Veterinary School and led the School through a period of substantial change culminating in a bid for American Veterinary Medical Association accreditation.   Professor Whay has an international reputation for her research into dairy cattle and working equine welfare and works in areas of the world where human animal interdependency is critical to family livelihoods. She was the inaugural President of the International Society for the Study of Lameness in Ruminants and has Chaired the Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law Veterinary Association. In 2015, she was recipient of the CEVA Farm Animal Welfare of the Year award.   Ends

Tá an tOllamh Caroline McGregor ceaptha mar Stiúrthóir nua ar an Institiúid Cúrsa Saoil agus Sochaí (ILAS) in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Tá an tOllamh Caroline McGregor ina Stiúrthóir Oibre Sóisialta san Ollscoil agus ina Comhalta Sinsearach Taighde in Ionad Taighde Leanaí agus Teaghlaigh UNESCO, áit a raibh sí i gceannas ar líon tionscadal le comhghleacaithe ar théamaí éagsúla, mar atá cúram an stáit san am a caitheadh agus sa lá atá inniu ann; cosaint leanaí agus tacaíocht teaghlaigh; agus rannpháirtíocht shibhialta agus pholaitiúil na hóige. D’oibrigh sí freisin mar thaighdeoir SFI laistigh d’Ionad Taighde Feistí Leighis na hÉireann, CÚRAM, ar thionscadail lena mbaineann tionchar. Glacfaidh an tOllamh McGregor leis an ról i mí Mheán Fómhair ar feadh tréimhse ceithre bliana, tar éis don Ollamh Pat Dolan, a bhí sa ról ó 2013-2023, dul ar scor. Is sain-institiúid taighde ildisciplínigh sna heolaíochtaí sóisialta feidhmeacha an Institiúid Cúrsa Saoil agus Sochaí (ILAS). Is é misean ILAS feasacht eolaíoch agus phraiticiúil ar acmhainn agus cumas an duine ón naíonacht go dtí an tseanaois a chothú agus feabhas a chur ar shaol na ndaoine siúd atá ag dul in aois nó a bhfuil míchumas orthu, mar aon le leanaí, ógánaigh agus tuismitheoirí atá leochaileach i gcomhthéacs sóisialta agus i gcomhthéacsanna eile. Seo mar a labhair Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh: “Guím gach rath sa todhchaí ar an Ollamh McGregor agus ar obair na hInstitiúide Cúrsa Saoil agus Sochaí san Ollscoil, chomh maith le hobair leanúnach Ionad Taighde Leanaí agus Teaghlaigh UNESCO. Tá taithí fhairsing ag an Ollamh McGregor ar chomhpháirtíochtaí acadúla-gairmiúla agus tá spéis ar leith aici i gceannas agus i gcur chun cinn taighde bunaithe ar chleachtas agus ar an bpobal ina ról mar Stiúrthóir Institiúide agus táimid ag súil leis an tionchar a bheidh aige seo ar fad a fheiceáil sa todhchaí. “Ba mhaith liom an deis a thapú chun buíochas a ghabháil leis an Ollamh Pat Dolan, Stiúrthóir ILAS atá ag dul as oifig agus leis an Ollamh Kieran Walsh as bheith i gceannas ar ILAS mar Stiúrthóir Eatramhach ó mhí Mheán Fómhair 2023.” Agus í ag cur fáilte roimh a ceapachán, bhí an méid seo le rá ag an Ollamh McGregor: “Tá an-áthas orm an deis seo a fháil a bheith i gceannas ar an Institiúid Cúrsa Saoil agus Sochaí. Tá mé ag súil le bheith ag obair le comhghleacaithe na hinstitiúide i gColáiste na nDán, na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Léinn Cheiltigh, i gColáiste an Ghnó, an Bheartais Phoiblí agus an Dlí agus san Ollscoil trí chéile chun spriocanna uaillmhianacha ILAS a bhaint amach, mar atá cothromas a bhaint amach sa chúrsa saoil trí chéile trína ghníomhaíochtaí comhtháite taighde, cleachtais agus oideachais, polasaí agus rannpháirtíochta pobail.” Críoch

Professor Caroline McGregor has been appointed as the new Director of the Institute for Lifecourse and Society (ILAS) at University of Galway. Professor McGregor is Director of Social Work at the University and a Senior Research Fellow at the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre where she led a number of projects with colleagues on themes of state care, past and present; child protection and family support; and youth civic and political engagement. She has also worked as a SFI investigator within CÚRAM Irish Medical Device Research Centre on projects including impact orientation. Professor McGregor takes up the role in September for a four-year period, and her appointment follows the retirement of Professor Pat Dolan, who held the position from 2013-2023. The Institute for Lifecourse and Society (ILAS) is a specially designated multidisciplinary research institute in applied social sciences which aims to contribute scientific and practical awareness of human capacity and potential from infancy to older age and to advance the lives of people who face issues with older age, living with disability, and for children, youth and parents who are vulnerable in social and other contexts. President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “I would like to extend my best wishes to Professor McGregor for the future of the work at the Institute for Lifecourse and Society at the University, as well as the ongoing work of the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre. Professor McGregor has extensive experience of academic-professional partnerships and has a particular interest in leading and advancing practice based and community engaged research in her role as Institute Director and we look forward to seeing the impact of this in the future. “I would like to take the opportunity to thank Professor Pat Dolan, the former Director of ILAS, and to Professor Kieran Walsh, for his leadership of ILAS as Interim Director, since September 2023.” Welcoming her appointment, Professor McGregor said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the Institute for Lifecourse and Society. I am looking forward to working with institute colleagues in the College of Arts, Social Science and Celtic Studies, College of Business Public Policy and Law and from across the University to achieve the ambitious goals of the ILAS to achieve equity across the lifecourse through its integrated research, practice and education, policy and community engagement activities.“ Ends

University of Galway has launched a new archive recognising the different lived experiences of the Irish Traveller community, including challenges the community faced since the 1960s and the importance of the Traveller voice to educate and increase understanding of the history and culture of the community. The Mincéirs Archives, which will be digitised and available to the public, was launched today by Irish Traveller human rights activist Dr Mary Warde Moriarty and University of Galway President Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh. The collection focuses on Irish Travellers from the 1960s when Ireland transformed socially, economically and culturally and how this impacted on the nomadic indigenous community, as well as the dawn of the Traveller rights movement in Ireland and Europe. The Mincéirs Archives is the first step to embedding Traveller history and culture throughout the teaching, learning and research activities at the University.             Dr Mary Warde Moriarty said: “It is great to officially launch the Mincéirs Archives as I know it will act as an anchor that supports the promotion and embedding of Traveller history and culture throughout the teaching and learning activities of University of Galway. As a Traveller woman, I am proud to have materials that document some of my early activities advocating for Traveller rights included in the archives. I feel it’s very important that everyone learns about Traveller history and culture as it supports greater understanding between all communities. I hope that the archives will be also play a major role with supporting the promotion of Traveller history and culture in local primary and secondary schools.”              University of Galway President, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “At University of Galway, we are a university for the public good, with a shared vision, shaped by our values with a proud history of promoting Traveller history and culture. As a learning institution, we learn from all our communities and are the better for it. The Mincéirs Archives goes to the heart of this work in promoting Traveller history and culture that align with our values, particularly the importance which we place on respect and openness. The contents of the archives and most importantly the Traveller voice has guided our efforts as we provide a culture that creates opportunities for all members of our university community to learn more about - and to learn from - Traveller history and culture.” Material related to Traveller human rights, education, employment, accommodation, music, folklore and photographs of the community form part of the archive. It includes official documentation such as the Report of the Commission on Itinerancy [1963], the work of Sister Colette O’Dwyer in Traveller education and training from the late 1960s onwards, the National Association of Training Centres for Travelling People, the National Federation of Irish Travelling People, the European Centre for Travellers, as well as a range of material relating to community development and activism across the country. There is also a range of correspondence, photographs and other material from Travellers themselves, reflecting their lived experiences. The Archive is augmented with material from existing archival collections. These include photographs and music collected in Ireland in 1952 by the American couple Jean Ritchie and George Pickow, similar material from the Joe Burke collection relating to county Galway, England and the USA, as well as photographs taken in the 1890s by Patrick Lyons of a Traveller camp near Ballyhaunis, County Mayo. The Mincéirs Archives project began in November 2021 as part of the celebrations which followed on from the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the University in 1845, as Queen’s College. Led by Owen Ward, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Programme Manager for Race Equality at the University, and Kieran Hoare, Archivist at University of Galway Library, the research and digitisation of the Mincéirs Archives was one of six projects sponsored by the Office of the President through a special fund to record and share the institutional history of the University. As part of embedding Traveller history and culture throughout the teaching, learning and research activities at the University, the Office of the Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is leading a project to diversify curricula. The aim is to enhance and embed the perspectives from the global south, nomadism, indigenous and black studies, including resources from the Mincéirs Archives, into wider academia across the University.             Monica Crump, University of Galway Librarian, said: "The University of Galway Library is delighted to host the Mincéirs Archives, and in particular to enable students and researchers to learn about Traveller history and culture through their own voice and lived experience, greatly enhancing our existing archival collections. Through new strategies of acquisition and outreach, we are committed to diversifying our collections as well as the ways in which people can access them. The Mincéirs Archive will bring a greater understanding of Traveller history and culture to homes and schools across the country.  We are confident that this digital resource will become embedded in teaching and learning activities across campus and are looking forward to a continued partnership with the community and to seeing this collection grow."             Owen Ward, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Programme Manager for Race Equality at University of Galway, said: “This initiative marks a significant milestone in the history of University of Galway and solidifies its position as a leader for Irish Traveller inclusivity cross higher education and wider society. By making the Mincéirs Archives accessible to everyone, we are taking a big step toward honouring the history and strength of Irish Travellers and building a more just and equitable future. We look forward to working closely with the Irish Traveller community to continue to expand the archives while ensuring that the lived experiences of Irish Travellers are central to this important work.” University of Galway welcomes public donations of resources related to Irish Travellers to the Mincéirs Archives, including photographs, videos, audio recordings, papers, notes, books, and posters. Material can be donated to the archives temporarily and once digitised can be returned to the owner. For more information to donate to the archives please contact Owen Ward at owenpatrick.ward@universityofgalway.ie or at https://library.universityofgalway.ie/mincéirs-archives/. Ends

Déanann Oidhreacht an Léinn comóradh ar na chéad mhic léinn a cláraíodh in 1849 – ceithre bliana i ndiaidh bhunú na hOllscoile Tá sraith imeachtaí cruthaitheacha fógartha ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe inniu chun ceann d'ócáidí móra dá stair a chomóradh trí cheiliúradh a dhéanamh ar na 175 bliain atá caite aici i mbun oideachais. Shiúil na chéad mhic léinn faoin Áirse stairiúil agus isteach sa Chearnóg ag meán lae, Dé Máirt, an 30 Deireadh Fómhair 1849 chun tús a chur lena gcúrsaí staidéir agus foghlama ceithre bliana i ndiaidh bhunú na hOllscoile in 1845 mar Choláiste na Banríona, Gaillimh. D'éirigh le 68 mac léinn sna scrúduithe máithreánacha in 1849 agus thug siad faoin staidéir in 21 ábhar, mar shampla Gréigis agus Loighic agus Meitifiseas, i nDámh na nDán, Dámh an Leighis agus Dámh an Dlí, agus i Scoil na hInnealtóireachta Sibhialta agus Scoil na Talmhaíochta. Tá roinnt imeachtaí eagraithe ag an Ollscoil chun an ócáid seo a cheiliúradh faoin teideal "Oidhreacht an Léinn: 1849-2024". As Síol Beag a Fhásann an Crann is Airde Tá cuireadh á thabhairt don fhoireann, na mic léinn agus alumni "crann darach a uchtú". Tá isteach is amach le 68 crann darach óga – ceann amháin do gach duine dár gcéad mhic léinn – tar éis fás as dearcáin a bhí curtha i bhfolach ar thailte an champais ag na scréachóga coille áitiúla. Cuirfear ceann amháin acu ar chúl na Cearnóige agus tá an chuid eile acu á thairiscint don fhoireann, do na mic léinn agus alumni chun iad a chur ina ngáirdíní féin ar mhaithe leis an mbithéagsúlacht agus mar shiombail d'oidhreacht 175 bliain de mhic léinn na Gaillimhe. Tionscadal comhoibríoch tras-champais atá i gceist faoi stiúir an Dr Caitríona Carlin ó Aonad Éiceolaíochta Feidhmí na hOllscoile agus Diarmaid Mahon, Maoirseoir, Tailte agus Tírdhreachtú, le tacaíocht ó mhic léinn Eolaíochta Comhshaoil. Athléiriú de Ghrianghraf Stairiúil Tá roinnt bailiúchán oidhreachta i seilbh na hOllscoile agus tá foireann na Leabharlainne tar éis rogha grianghraf a thugann blaiseadh dúinn den ré sin a thiomsú de na mic léinn agus den champas i mblianta luatha na hOllscoile. Tá comórtas á eagrú anois chun an Oidhreacht Léinn leanúnach sin a chomóradh. Iarrtar ar mhic léinn ceann de na grianghraif stairiúla a athchruthú nó a athléiriú i suíomh comhaimseartha. 100 Réad Leabharlann na hOllscoile Tá taispeántas seolta ag Leabharlann na hOllscoile chun aird a tharraingt ar 100 réad óna mbailiúcháin a léiríonn cleachtais oibre fhoireann na leabharlainne i gcaitheamh na mblianta chomh maith lenár gcartlanna uathúla agus ár mbailiúcháin speisialta.  Is féidir léirmhíniú a fháil ar stair agus ar fhorbairt na Leabharlainne trí phriosma na réad sin, ar roghnaíodh iad mar thoradh ar thionscadal a stiúir Marie Boran, Leabharlannaí na mBailiúchán Speisialta, agus san áireamh leo tá íomhánna ó leabhair, lámhscríbhinní, bailiúcháin chartlainne, litreacha, grianghraif, nuachtáin, troscán leabharlainne, stáiseanóireacht agus déantáin. Tá an taispeántas oscailte don phobal anois i bhforhalla Áras Uí Argadáin. Céimithe a Scríobh Leabhar a Cheiliúradh Tá cáil ar shiopa leabhar Charlie Byrne i lár chathair na Gaillimhe as a cruthaithí a bhíonn a dtaispeántais fuinneoige. Mar chomóradh ar Oidhreacht Léinn na hOllscoile, tá taispeántas leabhar atá scríofa ag céimithe na Gaillimhe i gcaitheamh na mblianta curtha i dtoll a chéile chun ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar an tionchar a bhí ag an aos léinn, idir mhic léinn agus scoláirí, le 175 bliain anuas. Faigh tuilleadh eolais faoi na tionscnaimh seo ag an nasc seo: www.universityofgalway.ie/ourhistory   Dúirt Uachtarán Eatramhach Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh Peter McHugh: “Le linn an tréimhse ba mheasa de Ghorta Mór na hÉireann, tráth a raibh géarchéim shóisialta agus éiceolaíoch ollmhór ann, bhí de mhisneach ag 68 mac léinn tús a chur lena n-oideachas ag an Ollscoil seo againne agus iad ag súil le saol níos fearr agus a gcion a dhéanamh chun an domhan a fheabhsú. "Beireann mic léinn an lae inniu leo an traidisiún fada misnigh, dóchais agus méine sin, agus áirítear leo na 3,368 mac léinn a chláraigh linn ar chúrsaí staidéir den chéad uair i mbliana. Déanann an comóradh seo ar ár nOidhreacht Léinn ceiliúradh ar na rúin sin, agus ar thóir an bhairr feabhais i dteagasc, foghlaim agus taighde."   Seo mar a labhair an tUachtarán Ionaid agus Meabhránaí Eatramhach, an tOllamh Becky Whay: “Grúpa beag mac léinn a bhí againn nuair a thosaigh muid, díreach 68 acu, arb as an t-oileán seo iad ar fad, ach anois tá breis agus 20,000 mac léinn againn a thagann chuig cathair na Gaillimhe as gach cearn d'Éirinn agus as breis agus 100 tír ar fud an domhain. Táimid bródúil as an tionchar mór a d'imir siad, agus atá á imirt acu, ar an bpobal agus ar an gcathair agus cibé áit ina bhfuil siad ar domhan, agus is údar mórtais dúinn é a bheith in ann 175 bliain den oideachas i gcroílár na Gaillimhe agus iarthar na hÉireann a cheiliúradh.   Dúirt Catríona Cannon, Ceannasaí na mBailiúchán Oidhreachta agus an Digitithe, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: “Údar bróid dúinn i Leabharlann Ollscoil na Gaillimhe taifid is luaithe na hOllscoile ina bhfuil fianaise ar bhlianta luatha an tsaoil acadúil i nGaillimh a bheith inár seilbh. Tá fáil ar na leabhair a bhí á léamh ag ár gcéad mhic léinn sna Bailiúcháin Speisialta, agus áirítear bailiúcháin chartlainne agus dhigiteacha uathúla agus éagsúla sna Bailiúcháin sin chomh maith. Agus muid ag tabhairt aghaidh ar an todhchaí agus ag féachaint le Leabharlann agus Ionad Foghlama nua a fhorbairt, tugann an taispeántas 100 Réad Leabharlann na hOllscoile deis dúinn machnamh a dhéanamh ar na forbairtí suntasacha inár stair agus ár gcleachtas gairmiúil ó 1849." Bunaíodh Ollscoil na Gaillimhe de bhun an Colleges (Ireland) Act in 1845. Coláiste na Banríona, Gaillimhe an chéad ainm a bhí ar an Ollscoil agus cuireadh ar bun í, mar aon lena comhcholáistí i gCorcaigh agus Béal Feirste, chun oideachas ollscoile neamh-shainchreidmheach a chur ar fáil do lucht meánaicme na hÉireann a bhí ag teacht i dtreis an uair sin. Lean foirgneamh na Cearnóige múnla Christ Church in Ollscoil Oxford agus baineadh úsáid as aolchloch áitiúil chun é a thógáil i stíl Ghotach na dTúdarach. Togra Faoisimh an Ghorta Mhóir a bhí i gceist leis an tógáil. Críoch

  A Legacy of Learning commemorates the first enrolments in 1849 – four years after the University was established  University of Galway has today announced a series of creative efforts to mark a milestone anniversary in its history - by celebrating 175 years of educating students. At midday on October 30, 1849, the first students walked through the historic Archway into the Quadrangle to begin their studying and learning, four years on from the University being founded in 1845 as Queen’s College Galway. In 1849, 68 students passed their matriculation exams and progressed on to studies in 21 subjects ranging from Greek Language to Logic and Metaphysics in the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Law, and in the Schools of Civil Engineering and of Agriculture. To mark the anniversary, the University has launched a number of celebrations under the banner “A Legacy of Learning: 1849-2024". Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow Staff, students and alumni are being invited to “adopt an oak”. Some 68 oak saplings - one to remember each one of our first students - have sprouted from acorns hidden on campus grounds by the local population of jays. One will be planted to the rear of the Quadrangle and the rest are offered to staff, students and alumni to plant in their own gardens, to enhance biodiversity and to symbolise the legacy of 175 years of Galway students. This project is a cross-campus collaboration, led by Dr Caitríona Carlin from the University's Applied Ecology Unit and Diarmaid Mahon, Supervisor of Landscaping and Grounds, with the support of Environmental Science students. Historic Photo Re-enactment Drawing on a number of heritage collections, the University’s Library team have compiled a selection of evocative photos of students and the campus from the earliest years of the University. To mark the continuing Legacy of Learning, a competition has been launched asking students to recreate or situate one of the historic photos in a contemporary setting. University Library in 100 Objects The University Library has launched an exhibition to spotlight 100 objects from its collections, which represent both the working practice of librarians over the decades, as well our unique and rare archives and special collections. The Library’s history and development can be viewed through the prism of these objects, which were drawn together through a project led by Marie Boran, Special Collections Librarian, and include images from books, manuscripts, archival collections, letters, photographs, newspaper issues, library furniture, stationery and artefacts. This exhibition is now open to the public in the foyer of the Hardiman Building. Celebrating Graduate Authors Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop in Galway city centre is renowned for its creative window displays. To mark the University’s anniversary of A Legacy of Learning, a display of books written by Galway graduates over the decades has been created to celebrate the impact of students and scholars over 175 years. Find out more about these initiatives by visiting: www.universityofgalway.ie/ourhistory    Professor Peter McHugh, Interim President of University of Galway, said: “At the height of the Great Irish Famine, a moment of profound social and ecological crisis, 68 students began their education at our University, with the courage to hope for a better life and the desire to play their part in improving the world. “The students of today, including the 3,368 who registered to commence their first year of undergraduate study with us this year, are carrying on that long tradition of courage, hope and desire. Our Legacy of Learning anniversary celebrates those intentions and the pursuit of excellence in teaching, learning and research.” Professor Becky Whay, Interim Deputy President and Registrar, said: “We have gone from a small group of 68 students to a community of more than 20,000 students who come to Galway City from across Ireland and from more than 100 countries around the world. We are proud of the immeasurable impact that our students and our graduates have made and continue to make for our community, the city and wherever they are in the world, and with them in mind today we are proud to be able to celebrate a milestone of 175 years of education at the heart of the Galway and the west of Ireland.”  Catriona Cannon, Head of Heritage Collections and Digitisation, University of Galway, said: “The University of Galway Library is proud to be the custodian of the University's earliest records, documenting the beginning of academic life in Galway. The books consulted by our first students form the basis of our Special Collections, which are further enhanced by the addition of unique and varied archive and digital collections. As we look to the future and work towards a move to a new Library and Learning Commons, the Library in 100 Objects exhibition allows us to reflect on and share the significant developments in our history and our professional practice since 1849.” University of Galway was established by the Colleges (Ireland) Act in 1845. The University was first known as Queen’s College Galway and along with it its sister colleges in Cork and Belfast, was established to provide non-denominational university education to Ireland’s emerging middle class. The Quadrangle building, built in local limestone in a Tudor Gothic architectural style, is modelled on Christ Church at the University of Oxford. The construction was a Famine Relief Project. Ends

2024 report reveals record-breaking health threats and impact of increased temperature, rainfall and flooding globally with potential critical implications for infrastructure and livelihoods in Ireland A University of Galway academic has contributed new findings presented in the eighth global annual indicator report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change. While people in every country face unprecedented health threats from the changing climate, the report highlights that risks are being exacerbated by continued investment in fossil fuels and lagging funding for action to protect health. Key findings In 2023, people were exposed to, on average, an unprecedented 50 more days of health-threatening temperatures than expected without climate change. Extreme drought affected 48% of the global land area - the second-highest level recorded – and the higher frequency of heatwaves and droughts was associated with 151 million more people experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity than annually between 1981 and 2010. Authors shine a light on governments and companies “fuelling the fire” with persistent investment in fossil fuels, all-time high energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, and years of delays in adaptation that are narrowing the survival chances of people across the globe. The Lancet Countdown underscores that the financial resources to deliver net zero emissions and secure a healthy future are available. Yet governments and companies are spending trillions of dollars on fossil fuel subsidies and investments that are making climate change worse - money that could be redirected towards clean renewable energy and activities that benefit people’s health, livelihoods and wellbeing. Amidst these concerning findings, the report highlights new opportunities to put health at the centre of the world’s response to climate change, including at the upcoming United Nations Climate Summit, COP29 ‘finance COP’ in Azerbaijan, where negotiations will take place on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for increasing climate finance. Karyn Morrissey, Professor in Environment and Marine, J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics and Ryan Institute, University of Galway, is a contributing author to the Lancet report since 2016. She said: “In terms of the health impacts of climate change, increasing temperatures and exposure to extreme heat events dominate international concern with temperature records smashed throughout the globe. “Monitoring 15 climate change-related health hazards, exposures, and impacts, including measures of heat exposure, drought and wildfires, this year we found that 10 have reached new records. “However, climate change is not just about heat; in Northern Europe we are seeing an increased number, length and severity of cold snaps which are equally detrimental to our health. “In Ireland increased rainfall and flooding is directly impacting critical infrastructure in areas of the country, cities, towns and rural areas, and key economic sectors including agriculture, transportation, retail and hospitality. “At the same time, years of delays in adaptation, alongside new records in fossil fuel emissions and investments in fossil fuel sectors means that we are now dangerously close to breaching the Paris Agreements target of limiting global multi-year mean heating to 1.5 degrees. “Alongside the cost-of-living crisis, and the on-going impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic we are systematically undoing the phenomenal public health progress we made during the 20th Century, which saw life expectancy in Ireland increasing from 66 to 82 years. We need to appreciate that health progress is not a given, and that without concrete actions backed by financial and regulatory resources we are jeopardising our own future.” Dr Morrissey highlighted that Ireland still has a large rural population, many of whom work outdoors, and increases in temperature and more extreme weather events such as heavy and prolonged rain are putting people’s health and livelihoods at risk. With high rates of often hidden deprivation and already poor infrastructure, Dr Morrissey stressed that putting the health impacts of climate change at the centre of every sectors’ response to the climate crisis is key to “health-proofing” our future. Dr Marina Romanello, Executive Director of the Lancet Countdown at University College London, said: “This year’s stocktake of the imminent health threats of climate inaction reveals the most concerning findings yet in our eight years of monitoring, “Once again, last year broke climate change records, with extreme heat waves, deadly weather events, and devastating wildfires affecting people around the world. No individual or economy on the planet is immune from the health threats of climate change. The relentless expansion of fossil fuels and record-breaking greenhouse gas emissions compounds these dangerous health impacts and is threatening to reverse the limited progress made so far and put a healthy future further out of reach. “Despite this threat, we see financial resources continue to be invested in the very things that undermine our health. Repurposing the trillions of dollars being invested in, or subsidising, the fossil fuel industry every year would provide the opportunity to deliver a fair, equitable transition to clean energy and energy efficiency, and a healthier future, ultimately benefiting the global economy.” Responding to the report publication, UN Secretary-General, António Guterres said: “Record-high emissions are posing record-breaking threats to our health. We must cure the sickness of climate inaction – by slashing emissions, protecting people from climate extremes, and ending our fossil fuel addiction – to create a fairer, safer, and healthier future for all.” Professor Karyn Morrissey’s work at University of Galway focuses on the impact of climate change and the environment and the impact it will have on human health and the economy. The Lancet Countdown represents the consensus of 122 authors across 57 academic institutions and UN agencies. The report will be launched through a virtual event on Wednesday October 30, 2024 from 3pm-5pm GMT. Find out more, and read the full report at lancetcountdown.org Ends

University of Galway has awarded 29 students with sports scholarships – recognising them as among the elite and finest young talent in Irish sport today. A further 57 athletes from previous years were also recognised at the special ceremony. The University of Galway Sports Scholarship programme has been developed o reward student’s ability and performances and to assist outstanding athletes to develop their sporting ability hand-in-hand with academic progress.             Des Ryan, Director of Sport and Physical Wellbeing at University of Galway, said: “It was energising to see so many talented players and athletes from the University of Galway catchment in one room. Our mission is to be the most progressive and caring University sports programme on the island of Ireland. University of Galway will provide the scholars with a high level of challenge and support. This will be led by the experienced Feargal O’Callaghan, our High-Performance lead. I wish all the scholars well for the year ahead and I look forward to getting to know them better and supporting them on the field, on the water, in the pool and on the courts.” University of Galway 2024 Sports Scholarships awardees: Athletics - Aisling Lane, Ava Rochford, David Mannion, Oisín Murray and Stephen Mannion Basketball - Cillian Cannon and Fortune Igbokwe Camogie - Carrie Dolan, Ellen Baker and Mairead Dillon Gaelic Football - Aoife Staunton, Eanna Monaghan and Jack Lonergan Hurling - Liam Hoare, Sam O'Farrell and Shane Murray Rowing - Donnacha Keeley, Emma Fagan, Rian Claffey, Séan Morris, Shane McLoughlin, Shane Rafferty and Zach Meegan Soccer – Darren Darcy, Eleanor Hernon and Milo O'Malley Volleyball - Benedikt Licht, Emer Phelan and Ruairí Grier As part of the special event, the University held a panel discussion to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Galway Senior Ladies All-Ireland Football championship win in 2004. Footballers from the winning team and graduates of University of Galway, Dr Lorna Joyce, Trish Gleeson and Lisa Coohill, reflected on their sporting and career journeys and shared their wisdom with scholars on the progression of women’s sport, the transferable skills of sport to professional careers and the benefits of participation in sport. Feargal O’Callaghan, High Performance Sports Lead at University of Galway, said: "The launch of the scholarship program is always an exciting time for the University of Galway Sports Unit. We are extremely lucky to attract athletes of such quality and I very much look forward to watching their journey over the next number of years." Ends

University of Galway’s Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas programme has been recognised as an Apple Distinguished School.   The award identifies centres of excellence in the use of technology in education for the period 2024-2027.   University of Galway’s Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas was the first educational programme outside of the US to attain this recognition in 2015 and it has retained the status ever since.   Apple Distinguished Schools are centres of leadership and educational excellence that demonstrate Apple’s vision for learning with technology. Schools are selected based on their commitment to continuous innovation in education, to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning.               Professor Michal Molcho, Head of University of Galway’s School of Education, said: “The MGO programme is recognised internationallly for its pioneering work in the area of digital and mobile technology in teacher education and education more broadly.  This award affirms its position as a leader in this area of research and practice.”   An Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas at University of Galway is a two year, full-time, second level teacher education programme. Established in 1998, it is offered entirely through the medium of Irish and is the only programme of its kind in Ireland. The programme is recognised by the Teaching Council of Ireland for the purposes of registration as a post-primary teacher.   An Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas has the highest employment rate of any teacher education programme in Ireland, a recognition of the expertise of the graudtaes in using technology to embed best practice in innovative learning and teaching.               Seán Ó Grádaigh, Director of the MGO programme at University of Galway, said: "Being part of the Apple Distinguished School community is immensely beneficial to An Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas. It has provided us with a platform to share best practices and learn from other institutions around the world. With technology constantly evolving, it is essential for educators to stay updated on new developments and advancements. We are currently exploring both the opportunities and challenges of AI in education, and the support from this community is invaluable in navigating these complexities.  Is mór linn go bhfuil an MGO roghnaithe mar Apple Distinguished School in athuair."   Ends

Tá aitheantas faighte ag an Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas (MGO) in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe mar Shár-Scoil Apple.   Tugann an gradam aitheantas d’ionaid ina mbainfear barr feabhais amach in úsáid na teicneolaíochta san oideachas sa tréimhse 2024-2027.   Ba é Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas Ollscoil na Gaillimhe an chéad chlár oideachais lasmuigh de Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá a ghnóthaigh an t-aitheantas seo in 2015 agus tá an stádas sin aige ó shin i leith.   Is ionaid ina léirítear ceannaireacht agus barr feabhais ó thaobh an oideachais iad Sár-Scoileanna Apple ina gcuirtear fís Apple maidir le foghlaim le cabhair na teicneolaíochta i bhfeidhm. Roghnaítear scoileanna bunaithe ar an gcaoi a gcuireann siad nuálaíocht san oideachas chun cinn go leanúnach, mar fhoinse inspioráide agus samhlaíochta, le dul i gcion ar an teagasc agus ar an bhfoghlaim.               Dúirt an tOllamh Michal Molcho, Ceann Scoil an Oideachais in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: “Tá an clár MGO aitheanta go hidirnáisiúnta as an obair cheannródaíoch a dhéantar air i réimse na teicneolaíochta digití agus soghluaiste in oideachas múinteoirí agus san oideachas trí chéile.  Is dearbhú é an gradam seo ar an stádas ceannaireachta atá ag an gclár sa réimse taighde agus cleachtais seo.”   Is clár oideachais múinteoirí dara leibhéal lánaimseartha é an Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe a bhíonn ar siúl thar dhá bhliain. Bunaíodh é in 1998, agus is clár lán-Ghaeilge é, an t-aon chlár dá leithéid sa tír. Tá an clár aitheanta ag Comhairle Mhúinteoireachta na hÉireann chun críocha clárúcháin mar mhúinteoir iar-bhunscoile.   Tá an ráta fostaíochta is airde ag an Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas thar aon chlár oideachais múinteoirí in Éirinn, agus is léiriú é sin ar shaineolas na gcéimithe in úsáid na teicneolaíochta chun dea-chleachtas a neadú i bhfoghlaim agus teagasc nuálaíoch.               Bhí an méid seo le rá ag Seán Ó Grádaigh, Stiúrthóir an MGO in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe: "Is mór an cúnamh é don Mháistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas go bhfuil sé aitheanta i measc Shár-Scoileanna Apple. Tá sé tar éis ardán a chur ar fáil dúinn chun na cleachtais is fearr a roinnt agus chun foghlaim ó institiúidí eile ar fud an domhain. De bhrí go mbíonn an teicneolaíocht ag athrú de shíor, tá sé riachtanach go mbeadh oideachasóirí ar an eolas faoi fhorbairtí agus dul chun cinn nua. Táimid ag fiosrú na ndeiseanna agus na ndúshlán a bhaineann leis an Intleacht Shaorga san oideachas faoi láthair, agus faighimid tacaíocht fhíorluachmhar ón bpobal seo chun cruacheisteanna dá leithéid a réiteach. Is mór linn go bhfuil an MGO roghnaithe mar Shár-Scoil Apple an athuair."   Críoch

A fourth year student at University of Galway has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Hamilton Prize – the top undergraduate mathematics accolade.     Dara Colleran, from Salthill, Galway City, is one of nine students to have been honoured by the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) for excellence in their final year of study.    The honour commemorates famed Irish scientist William Rowan Hamilton and his discovery of quaternion algebra in Dublin on October 16, 1843 - a four-dimensional number system which has been used in satellite navigation and video game programming.     The awards ceremony takes place on the anniversary each year in the RIA.     Dara Colleran said: “I am very honoured to receive the Hamilton prize in Mathematics. I had a great day with my family in Dublin, where we did the annual Hamilton walk along the banks of the Royal Canal, retracing Hamilton's steps from Dunsink Observatory to Broombridge in Cabra, and attended a ceremony in the beautiful Royal Irish Academy. I am looking forward to exploring my subject further in a Masters degree.”    In recognition of their mathematical excellence, the awardees each received a cash prize of €500 and a certificate of achievement at an award ceremony in the Royal Irish Academy. They also attended an exclusive masterclass with the 2024 Hamilton Lecture speaker, Professor Laura DeMarco from Harvard University, which was hosted by Ibec.    Professor Aisling McCluskey, Head of the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences at University of Galway, said: “The award of the prestigious Hamilton Prize is a tremendous honour, recognising the exceptional talent of Dara and others like him from universities across the country. I am delighted to acknowledge and celebrate Dara’s achievement. This special prize underscores the importance of valuing and encouraging our undergraduate mathematicians as they progress into final year and into future STEM careers. We are proud that Dara joins the list of Hamilton Prize winners, representing our School and our University nationally. Ar son na Scoile, comhghairdeachas Dara!”    The nine 2024 Hamilton Prize winners are Dara Colleran, University of Galway; Daniel Cooper, Dublin City University; Laura Cosgrave, University College Cork; Oisín Davey, Maynooth University; Samual Den Dikken, University of Limerick; Kai Quan Lian, Queen’s University Belfast; Mateusz Mroczkowski, TU Dublin; Brian O'Callaghan, Trinity College Dublin; and Jack Sherry, University College Dublin.    Ends 

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan T.D., has announced five University of Galway research projects. The projects are funded under the Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future Programme and are part of a €26 million investment for 40 research projects nationwide. The University of Galway projects include: Professor Nicholas Allen, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, and Dr Kathleen Gorman, Children’s Health Ireland. The research aims to develop novel therapies for severe, currently untreatable childhood neurological disorders. Award - €638,566. Dr Róisín Dwyer, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. The project will focus on breast cancer and aims to decipher how microRNAs sequences function and develop an approach to deliver them directly to tumour tissue, for targeted treatment of patients with advanced disease. Award - €764,657. Dr Alexandre de Menezes, College of Science and Engineering. Dr de Menezes’ project aims to offer novel ways to predict and control nitrous oxide emissions from soil, to support low emissions, sustainable agriculture. Award - €788,421. Dr Linda Howard and Dr Siobhan McMahon - College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. Research focuses on gene therapy combined with tissue engineering to reduce scarring and help promote nerve regeneration after spinal cord injury. Award - €554,562. Dr Angela Carnevale and Dr Tobias Rossmann - College of Science and Engineering. This project will involve machine learning and explicit computations of zeta functions in algebra. Award - €582,635.              Minister O’Donovan said: “I am pleased to announce the Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future projects, which support high-risk, high-reward research endeavours. The selected projects, spanning 12 research institutions, bring fresh and innovative ideas that will help boost business and benefit society. “I would also like to commend Research Ireland and the Children’s Health Foundation for their great partnership and their great partnership and their focus on advancing children’s health through this funding program. I encourage others to create similar partnerships and collaborations.”             Professor Jim Livesey, Vice-President Research and Innovation at University of Galway, said: “I would like to congratulation our researchers who have successfully secured funding today through the Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future Programme. These prestigious awards are a testament to the depth and quality of the research expertise across our campus and will provide solutions and opportunities in areas that impact Irish society.”             Celine Fitzgerald, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Research Ireland, said: “The Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future programme helps to build research capacity, expertise and reputation. This latest round of grants will support a diverse range of research positions and represents a strong commitment to developing future talent in key areas. It has been a pleasure having Children’s Health Foundation as a funding partner in that drive to strengthen Ireland’s research pipeline.” Ends

University of Galway has celebrated remarkable student athlete success taking home three titles, including the Overall Team award, at the Cross Country All-Ireland Intervarsity Championships. It is the first time since 1988 that the University’s Athletics Club has won the top prize for overall performance at the competition. The Cross Country success was led by Fiona Everard, who was crowned the Female Individual Champion for the second year, followed by the Men’s Team of 21 athletes who took the honours in their category, helping to secure the Overall Team honours. Des Ryan, Director of Sport and Physical Wellbeing at University of Galway, said: “It is great to see the University of Galway Athletics club winning so many events at the Irish Universities Athletics Association Cross Country Championships. Since I arrived I am really impressed with the coaching, commitment, community, member numbers and the culture of the club. It is great to see the club winning national titles and having such high numbers participating. I am delighted that University of Galway has such a strong athletics club that develops high performing individuals and supports many of our students to be active. I am looking forward to seeing this club in the west of Ireland go from strength to strength over the coming years. It is the perfect place for young athletes in the University of Galway catchment to excel in their studies and in their sport. Special thanks to coach Matt Lockett and Club Captain Jack Maher.” The All-Ireland Intervarsity Cross Country Championships took place at the UCC Sports Grounds at the weekend. The Women’s Team of 13 athletes placed fourth overall, narrowly missing out on a medal. It included Fiona Everard along with first year student Caitlin Hughes, who made her debut for University of Galway, placing 12th, and Shauna Leydon and Neasa Ní Ainifein also placed high, coming in 23rd and 26th respectively. The Men’s Team of 21 athletes dominated their competition, beating the nearest challengers (University of Limerick) by 45 points to take home the Fox Trophy. The team was led by Thomas McStay, who placed 4th overall in the men’s race. Oisin Murray followed in 6th, with Oisin Davis in 9th. Daniel Ryan Eilis made his debut for University of Galway, placing 12th. He was closely followed by Donal Farren and Luke Johnston who placed 13th and 14th respectively.  Feargal O’Callaghan, High Performance Lead at University of Galway, said: “We at University of Galway are very lucky to have such a talented group of athletes in our distance group and they are superbly led by coach Matt Lockett. It was fantastic to see Fiona Everard at the front once again and great to see her supported by a strong female team. While it was great to see the men win the team trophy, it was the winning of the combined trophy that really put the icing on the cake. I am looking forward to seeing the team perform in the University Road Relays in a few weeks.” Jack Maher, University of Galway Athletics Club Captain, said: “To have three big wins on the day - Fiona Everard individual, Men's Team, and Overall Team - was remarkable. It was a history-making day for the club, winning the overall title for only the second time, the first being in 1988. It was a spectacular team performance with both teams showing great talent at the front of the race and backing it up with huge squad depth. This is a testament to the years of hard work and dedication put in by coach Matt Lockett and the whole squad to get the University of Galway distance team to become one of the best in the country. With plenty of young talent featuring on the team, we hope to keep the club here for years to come." Ends

University of Galway has announced the establishment of a new External Advisory Board for the School of Computer Science. Made up of leading industry experts, the members will provide independent, external advice and guidance in the development of the School to actively support its strategic aims and mission, ensuring continued success and future growth. The External Advisory Board will also promote closer collaborations between academia and industry. Chair of the External Advisory Board, Caroline Cawley, chief executive of itag & itag Skillnet, said: “I look forward to working closely with the staff in the School of Computer Science, to maximise collaboration opportunities between local industry and University of Galway.” Professor Walter Gear, Executive Dean of the College of Science & Engineering at University of Galway, said: “The input of industry is a critical ingredient for us to continue delivering on their needs for a highly skilled workforce, and our ambitions for a highly impactful research portfolio.” Dr Enda Howley, Head of School Computer Science said: “University of Galway is very fortunate to have a vast array of existing links with local and regional ICT employers at both SME through to multinational levels. With this new board we have a mechanism to formalise our cooperation and bring our collaborations onwards for the next decade and beyond. From industry internships through to research projects, these connections are critical for us to ensure our graduates are reaching their fullest potential.” The External Advisory Board of the School of Computer Science at University of Galway includes: Caroline Cawley, Chair, External Advisory Board, CEO itag & itag Skillnet. Petronel Bigioi, CTO and Co-founder, FotoNation. Vincent Canning, Tech Lead/Manager & Senior Software Engineer, Google. Michelle Concannon, SVP of Technology, Signify Health Ireland. Karen Conway, VP of Software Engineering, Fidelity Investments. Karl Flannery, CEO and co-founder of Storm Technology. Paddy Medley, VP of Quality HPE Hybrid Cloud and MD Hewlett Packard Galway. Mags Moran, Product Leader, Webex by CISCO. Sean Morris, CTO TitanHQ. Jane Reilly, Senior Software Engineering Manager, Microsoft. Joe Smyth, Senior VP of R&D, Digital and AI, Genesys. Ben Steele, Director of Architecture and Galway Chair, Liberty IT. Further information on each member of the External Advisory Board is available at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/science-engineering/school-of-computer-science/people/externaladvisoryboard/ Ends