This week: research-policy links, Galway's first Traveller education officer and a gender award for Limerick
In depth: The Irish Universities Association (IUA) has called on the government to substantially increase investment in higher education and research as part of its post-coronavirus recovery plans.
Full story: Irish universities call for €900m in 2022 Budget
Also this week from Research Professional News
Lecturers worried about unsafe teaching spaces—Teachers’ Union of Ireland calls for Covid-19 risk assessment of classrooms for full campus return
Here is the rest of the Irish news this week…
Report calls for stronger links between research and policy
Ireland must improve links between researchers and policymakers, according to a report from the Royal Irish Academy and the Irish Research Council. The report calls for the creation of a digital platform where researchers can upload summaries of work that is relevant to public policy, and policymakers can indicate areas of interest. “The reality in this country is that, although multiple sources of valuable policy advice exist, the pathway for contributing to policy development remains relatively narrow,” said Irish Research Council chair Jane Ohlmeyer.
Galway hires Traveller education officer
National University of Ireland Galway has appointed its first full-time Traveller education officer to lead the teaching and learning of students from the Traveller community. Owen Ward, a Traveller, teacher and graduate of NUI Galway, has been hired in the role. NUI Galway said it is now aiming to develop a “model to empower the Traveller community to overcome barriers to access, progression, retention and success in higher education”.
Limerick physics department wins gender equality award
The physics department at the University of Limerick has become the first institution in Ireland to receive an Athena SWAN Silver award in recognition for its work on gender equality. The Athena SWAN awards recognise the positive steps that departments or institutes in higher education take to achieve gender equality. Following extensive outreach activity by its staff, the physics department at the university has overseen an increase in the proportion of female undergraduate students from 37 per cent to 54 per cent.