September

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