News & Events

Researchers from the University of Galway and the Western Development Commission are calling on employees to share their experiences regarding remote and hybrid work by participating in the annual National Remote Working Survey.   This is the fourth annual survey and seeks to build on the valuable insights garnered from the previous three surveys.   The 2023 survey will offer a comprehensive view of how remote and hybrid work is shaping work experiences and employment dynamics in Ireland.   The National Remote Working Survey is led by Professor Alma McCarthy, Dr Meave O’Sullivan, Professor Eoin Whelan and Dr Luke McGrath at University of Galway, alongside Allan Mulrooney and Deirdre Frost at the Western Development Commission.   Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, warmly welcomes this initiative and encouraged workers to participate, stating: "In recent years, we have witnessed remarkable progress in supporting remote workers and employers. It is of utmost importance that we maintain this momentum. Our Rural Development Policy, 'Our Rural Future,' clearly acknowledges the pivotal role of remote working in achieving balanced regional development. Remote workers contribute to local economies and sustain communities, and I am committed to fostering remote work. This survey will provide us with essential data to make informed decisions in this vital area."   Professor Alma McCarthy, Professor of Public Sector Management and Dean of J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics at University of Galway, emphasised the significant impact of previous surveys on policy-making: "Our previous annual surveys have played a crucial role in shaping the national remote working strategy. The way we work has undergone a dramatic transformation since the Covid-19 pandemic. It is opportune to document the trends, preferences, and the impact on employment three years on."   Allan Mulrooney, Chief Executive of the Western Development Commission, highlighted the enduring popularity of remote work following Covid-19: "Remote working has proven highly attractive to both employees and employers post-pandemic with an impact on relocation and regional development. While some have returned to the office, many continue to work remotely either full or part-time. This survey examines the experiences of remote workers at this juncture. The development of the National Hub Network, Connected Hubs, which now numbers over 300 hubs, underscores the sustained demand for remote and hybrid work solutions, as well as suitable work facilities close to home."   After analysing the findings from the 2023 National Remote Working Survey, the team will publish the results both the University of Galway and the Western Development Commission websites at the end of October 2023. Additionally, comprehensive reports and key statistics from previous annual surveys are accessible on these websites.   The survey, which is open until open until Monday October 2, is available at https://bit.ly/RemoteWorkSurvey4   Ends

University of Galway has officially launched its newest research unit - the Centre for Creative Technologies.   The aim of the new centre is to foster and support research and teaching activities that explore and develop links between creative practice and technology and creativity as a principle and practice that extends beyond the arts.    Building on the University’s strong relationships with the creative community in the western region and beyond, including the Strategic Education Partnerships with Galway International Arts Festival and Druid, the Centre for Creative Technologies will explore the impact on the traditional creative industries of rapid technological change in areas such as immersive reality, artificial intelligence and virtual production processes.    The Centre’s newly launched PhD in Creative Technologies brings together research that combines critical enquiry with technological and artistic practice to investigate important developments in this field.   University of Galway President Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh officially launched the Centre for Creative Technologies at a special event on campus in the O’Donoghue Centre on Thursday September 21, 2023.   Professor Ó hÓgartaigh said: “University of Galway, our city and our region all have strong bonds with the world of the arts and creativity. These ties have afforded us opportunities that enable our university to grow and develop in special ways, in line with our values of openness, excellence and sustainability. The new Centre for Creative Technologies is symbolic of that and we wish every success to all of those who will tap into this important research entity and the new opportunities it brings.”   Professor Rebecca Braun, Dean of the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, said: “The Centre for Creative Technologies is an exciting initiative that will support research and teaching initiatives that explore the intersections between creative practice and technology within and beyond the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies. It draws on existing strengths in the areas of creativity across the College and will support the kind of interdisciplinary research needed to tackle the key societal challenges we face today.”   University of Galway Vice-President Research and Innovation Professor Jim Livesey said: “We are living at a time when the pace and scale of change in the world of technology is seismic. Now we have an exciting opportunity to harness some of that in the areas of research, teaching and learning by bringing together bright minds in an environment which promotes excellence across our academic disciplines.”    Conn Holohan, Director of the Centre for Creative Technologies at University of Galway, said: “We look forward to supporting exciting collaborations between researchers, industry and artists that explore the many ways that creativity and technology intersect with our daily lives.”   The Centre for Creative Technologies is the first research centre of its kind in Ireland, exploring the intersection of creativity and technology across disciplines from within the traditions of the arts.    As creative engagement with technology is an increasingly central element of our responses to global challenges, the centre will enable researchers, academics and those involved in the arts to bring their expertise and insight to a diverse range of areas of activity, from healthcare to manufacturing to the societal responses to climate change.    Ahead of the launch of the Centre for Creative Technologies, James Riordan, Brú Theatre, took on a two week Digital Artist-in-Residence where he and his interdisciplinary artist collaborators explored opportunities for technology and creativity, including showcasing the centre's new technologies such as augmented reality virtual reality and motion capture.    Ends

Gabriel Makhlouf, Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, today delivered an address focusing on inflation and the labour market as part of University of Galway’s Thinking Beyond series.   Organised by the University’s J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, the event took place in the Aula Maxima, Quadrangle Building.   The event offered the opportunity to provide valuable insights into the causes of the current period high inflation in Ireland and what it means for monetary policy. Following Governor Makhlouf’s address, a Q&A session was held with Alan Ahearne, Professor of Economics at University of Galway and Adviser to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin.   Gabriel Makhlouf was appointed Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland in 2019, and is Chair of the Central Bank Commission, a member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank, the European Systemic Risk Board, and is Ireland's Alternate Governor at the International Monetary Fund.   Prior to joining the Central Bank, he was Secretary to the New Zealand Treasury and the NZ Government's chief economic and financial adviser. Mr Makhlouf also led reviews of New Zealand's three macroeconomic pillars (monetary, financial stability and fiscal policy) and the development of a new framework for the development of economic and public policy focused on intergenerational wellbeing. In addition, Governor Makhlouf was New Zealand's Alternate Governor at the World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Asian Development Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. He was also co-chair of the Trans-Tasman Banking Council.   Professor Alan Ahearne said: “The Irish economy is operating at full employment, with the unemployment rate having dropped to record lows and many businesses reporting shortages of labour. Against this backdrop, I very much look forward to the Governor’s perspective on how developments in the labour market might affect the outlook for inflation, the cost of living and the future path of interest rates.”   Governor Makhlouf also addressed students of University of Galway’s Economics Society during his visit.    Governor Makhlouf said he welcomed the opportunity to visit University of Galway as part of the University’s Thinking Beyond: “It is always a pleasure to meet with students and discuss these important issues, and I look forward to welcoming some of them as colleagues in the future.   “If I were to sum up post-pandemic labour market dynamics in one word, it would be resilient. The slowdown in growth this year has yet to show up in employment levels, with wage growth continuing to be strong, reflecting the combined effects of a tight labour market and catch up to inflation. We will continue to closely monitor wage developments as a potential source of future inflation. The outlook for wage growth will depend in large part on how labour demand develops. Forward-looking indicators indicate that some of the strong momentum we saw during 2022/23 may begin to ease in the coming months.”     Professor Alma McCarthy, Dean of J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics said: “We are delighted to host Governor Makhlouf as part of our Thinking Beyond event series in the School. The series features insights from thought leaders on current issues impacting business and society across a broad array of industries and sectors.”   Ends