NUI Elections

NUI elects Professor Michael B. Murphy as Chancellor

National University of Ireland’s Chancellor election process concluded on the 17 October, and the candidate who has duly been elected as the sixth Chancellor of NUI is Professor Michael B. Murphy, MB BCh BAO, MD.

Professor Murphy is Immediate Past President of the European University Association, former President of University College Cork, Dean of Medicine, Professor of Clinical Pharmacology and physician. He held research/faculty positions at the University of London and The University of Chicago for 12 years.

Prof Murphy has chaired the Global University Associations Forum, Steering Group of the Annual European Learning and Teaching Forum and the International Advisory Board of U-Multirank (the EU university grading system). In Ireland, he has served on the Health Research Board (chair), board of the Health Service Executive, Senate and Vice-Chancellorship of the National University of Ireland.

Also running in the election was Linda O’Shea Farren, a long-standing member of NUI’s Senate. She studied Law in UCC and qualified as a Solicitor and Attorney-at-Law, practising law in New York and London. In Ireland, Linda has worked in Law, Corporate Governance, Human Rights, Government, Education, Banking, Health and the Arts. In 2019, Linda graduated with an MEconSc in Public Policy (1st Class Hons.) awarded by IPA-UCD. Elected to NUI Senate by Convocation for 25 years (2002-2027), Linda was also the inaugural Chair of its Audit & Risk Committee (2009-2022).

“I am honoured to take up the mantle of Chancellor of the National University of Ireland. I hope to continue the work that Dr Maurice Manning has done in promoting NUI’s evolution and success, maintaining its unique and historic position in the higher education sector. I am humbled to inherit the legacies of the five Chancellors who preceded me.”

Professor Michael B. Murphy
NUI Chancellor

“As Chancellor, Michael will play a key role as we broaden our awards and our activity in Irish higher education. His expertise, particularly in higher education leadership, will serve us well. We look forward to working with Michael at the helm of the organisation. I also want to extend my thanks to Linda O’Shea Farren, who was our second excellent candidate in this election. It was a pleasure to work with both candidates throughout the election process.”

Dr Patrick O’Leary
NUI Registrar

“This election was an opportunity to put the role of the NUI in front of a significant number of voters. Both candidates had views rooted in a firm belief in the founding principles of NUI. Linda is and will continue to be a leader in the NUI structure. Michael has extensive leadership experience as former President of University College Cork, and he possesses all the qualities to be a great Chancellor. I wish him every success in the role.”

Dr Maurice Manning

The election was a postal vote where members of Convocation of NUI could apply for a vote. Convocation comprises the graduates of the university, as well as the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, the members of Senate, and the professors and lecturers of NUI’s member institutions. There was also a one-hour period of in-person voting on 17 October.