OCTOBER 2007

www.ucd.ie/ucdtoday

Featured in this issue: • UCD, Mater and St Vincent's form Dublin Academic Health Care • UCD awarded €30m under PRTLI Cycle 4 • Appointment of Programme Deans inside

Don't push nature too hard, it may not 3 be able to bounce back. what’sThe number and variety of many kinds of plants We’ve said ‘Farewell to and animals have been declining in the Irish countryside for many decades. Seán Duke talks to Dr Gordon Purvis and his colleagues at UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science. the Terrace’ and now 6-7 Spotlight on UCD Library UCD Library has a proud tradition of being at we’re saying ‘Welcome the heart of the university for over a hundred years. We go behind the scenes to learn about how the Library consistently anticipates and adapts to changing reader needs. to the Gateway’.

A new approach to healthy food Last May thousands of alumni and guests enjoyed four days of events organised to 11 Claire O’Connell talks to Professor Dolores commemorate the lives and careers of students and staff spent in Earlsfort Terrace over O'Riordan about the tremendous amount of 124 years. We feature the highlights of the events on pages 20. And, for those who would research that goes into ensuring that what you like to read more, you will find further pieces on the web at www.ucd.ie/farewelltotheterrace eat is appealing, convenient and healthy. and in the commemorative book, Farewell to the Terrace, available from the campus bookshop.

Immigration and Social Change in the We recently announced that Ingenhoven Architects of Dusseldorf have been selected as the 12 Republic of Ireland preferred competitor on the prestigious Gateway project. They were selected from a list of 62 Kate Hickey speaks to Dr Bryan Fanning about firms who took part in an international competition. The winning design will shortly go on display the role of academic research in facilitating the on campus and the next stage of the process is to liaise with potential partners who will help integration of immigrants to the New Ireland. make Gateway a reality. UCD today has been around now for almost three years and we recently undertook some Appointment of New Deans qualitative market research with a range of administrative and academic staff on campus to get 16-17 Profiles of the newly appointed UCD Deans. their views and opinions on its impact. We looked at aspects that staff like and having taken on board comments in relation to layout and content, we have made some changes to this issue UCD - the number one centre for which reflect the breadth of comments received. We hope you enjoy this edition and please let us 19 Joycean studies in the world know any feedback by emailing [email protected] with your comments. Conall Ó Móráin talks to Professor Anne Fogarty about Joyce and the rise of Eilis O’Brien Joycean Studies. Director of Communications

Farewell to the Terrace 20 A round-up of events from the series of events held to commemorate UCD's last days in Earlsfort Terrace.

Sport 31 Highlights of UCD's recent sporting achievements and successes by our students and alumni.

Contributors: Design: Suzanne Bailey, Joe Brady, Adrian Brock, Deirdre Brophy, Loman Cusack Design Catherine Carey, Eamonn Ceannt, Patrick Clancy, Vanda Clayton, Tony Coote, Genevieve Dalton, Damien Dempsey, Print: Orla Donoghue, Sean Duke, Marie Ennis , Bryan Fanning, DC Kavanagh | eBrook Gerard Fealy, Anne Fogarty, Crystal Fulton, Lorraine Hanlon, Thanks to: Kate Hickey, Isabel Hidalgo, Vincent Hoban, Donal Hughes, Padraic Conway, JP Donnelly, Catherine Godson, Ann Lavan, Kathleen James Chakraborty, Emma Kavanagh, Mark Keane, Maurice Manning, Cliona de Bhaldraithe Marsh, Damien Paul Kelly, Jean Kennedy, Liam MacMathuna, Kate Manning, McLoughlin, Patrick Wall Cathal McCauley, Grace Mulcahy, Lynda Mulvin, Caroline In the compilation of this publication, every care has been Murphy, Sean Murray, Clar Ni Bhuachalla, Triona Nicholl, taken to ensure accuracy. Any errors or omissions should be Paddy Nixon, Valerie Norton, Claire O'Connell, Deirdre brought to the attention of UCD University Relations O’Grady, Eleanor O'Higgins, Conall Ó Móráin, Gary O'Reilly, ([email protected]). We also welcome your Dolores O'Riordan, Aidan O'Sullivan, Jim Phelan, suggestions for articles in future editions. Bill Powderly, Niamh Puirseil, Gordon Purvis, Elaine Quinn, Bairbre Redmond, Anthony Roche, Mark Rogers, Paula This publication is also available online at Russell, Rob Sands, Mark Simpson, Caroline Somers, David www.ucd.ie/ucdtoday Timoney, Claire Twomey, Liming Wang, Miceal Whelan. The colours and codes on this image represent the potential phasing for the overall Science Centre Produced by: Please Recycle development. The inset photo shows the original Science Centre, which was the first building Eilis O’Brien, Mary Staunton, Claire Percy and constructed by UCD on the Belfield site, in the early 1960s. Dominic Martella

2 Don’t push nature too hard, it nat may not be able to bounce back.

The number and variety of many kinds of plants and animals have been declining in the Irish countryside for many decades. Dr Gordon Purvis and his colleagues at UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science have received funding to find out just how serious the problem is, writes Seán Duke.

This has been a kind of albatross hanging bees are good bio-indicators as the public around everyone's neck since. It seemed, from readily identifies with them, but bees, for the politicians' point of view, a safe enough instance have a very practical importance for target, pushing the issue into the future. The pollination. Aquatic invertebrates are important reality is that it has crept up very quickly, and because they reflect water quality, or the lack we still have an unresolved issue; now, I guess of it, while parasitoid wasps have complex

there will need to be some revision and relationships with practically all other insect ure extension of that target”. groups and reflect overall insect diversity.” Ireland The next step for Dr Purvis and his colleagues was to understand the relationships between In Ireland, the issue of biodiversity necessarily these biological indicator groups and farming revolves around agriculture, and what practice. The kinds of questions that he wanted agriculture is doing, as Ireland remains a to answer included: What kind of impacts do predominantly agricultural landscape. At changing farming practices have on European level post-Rio, policy-makers began Biodiversity. Yet another environmental fad? biodiversity? How can farmers better manage to try and push agriculture in a more Something that we don’t have to pay much their land to enhance biodiversity? attention to? A bit like global warming, the environmentally friendly direction. This ozone layer, and the loss of rainforests? was done through the introduction of By finding the answers to these questions, Too vague to be of relevance to me. agri-environmental schemes, which became a practices that are very damaging can be central plank in rural development policy. curtailed, while those having positive effects Does this thought process feel familiar? can be encouraged. This approach promises to The need for information If so, perhaps you should know that the loss of provide, for the first time in Ireland, a means for biodiversity, meaning the global loss of plant One of the problems facing anyone who wishes policy-makers to make informed decisions on and animal species, could ultimately have very to study changes in Irish biodiversity over time how best to protect biodiversity, and balance detrimental effects on human health and is that the records are poor. Researchers have that against the need to protect farming wellbeing. only belatedly started to gather information on livelihoods. biodiversity. For example, a countryside bird Agri-Baseline Paying attention now? Good. survey has been established in Ireland that in Alarmingly, many experts believe that we are recent years, and has started to gather critical The need to focus on creating scientific now losing species so fast, there is a danger information on bird diversity, showing apparent ‘baselines’ forms the basis of a second major that we could be fast approaching a ‘tipping declines in some populations, but gains in biodiversity research project, Agri-Baseline, point’ where, even if we introduce last ditch others. Even more recently, a national Irish co-ordinated by Dr Purvis and funded by the measures, we may lose vital ‘ecosystem Biodiversity Records Centre has been Dept of Agriculture. established in Waterford to collate the Dr Gordon Purvis of UCD School of Biology and services’ on which the natural world and Agri-Baseline has a highly practical aim; it is increasing amount of biological data being Environmental Science ourselves depend. That could mean, for applying the knowledge gained from Ag-Biota collected. example, that we end up with sterile soils about how to measure biodiversity in farmland. where no crops will grow, crops that cannot be It is not good enough to simply follow what To do this, 180 individual farms in three regions effectively pollinated, and pest problems that has been done in the UK, or elsewhere, said - Cork, Sligo and Offaly - were chosen for a run out of control because of the failure of Dr Purvis, as Ireland's geography, topography major survey of land use practices, habitats and natural biological control. There are even worse and the nature of its farming is different. biodiversity. scenarios, where the failure of natural ecosystems leads to our planet becoming “The Irish landscape is quite different from AE-Footprint much of the UK, being relatively similar to almost unfit for human life. And these The next step was AE-Footprint, an western parts of Britain like Wales, for instance, doomsday predictions do not take into account EU-supported project to develop common with a predominance of small, mainly grassland the incalculable loss of aesthetic quality in our methods for agri-environmental evaluation fields, but quite different from south-eastern lives, if we were to lose much of the natural across Europe. Dr Purvis and his group, as England, which has a much more arable farming world we are part of. the Irish representatives in the AE-Footprint base,” said Dr Purvis. “There is certainly a risk if you push biological project, along with researchers in Teagasc systems to extremes like that, you could Ag-Biota and the University of Limerick, are trying to work out how a common method for actually put at risk human health and Dr Purvis and his colleagues wanted to develop documenting the benefits of agri- wellbeing,” said Dr Purvis who is at the a national expertise in biodiversity research environmental policy can be developed for use forefront of biodiversity research in Ireland. within the context of modern agriculture. in very different countries, regions and That was the concept behind a project called Background localities. Ag-Biota, funded in 2001 by the Environmental Biodiversity is a relatively new issue in science, Protection Agency (EPA). The project was based “You have this massive diversity of farming with its profile increasing markedly after the in UCD and funded for five years, rather than types, geographical and biological conditions 1992 Rio Convention. Then all European states, the usual three, which indicated the amount of and policy differences across Europe, and the and many other nations (with the notable work involved and the capacity to be challenge is to develop a common method that exception of the USA) signed up to the developed. can assess the impact of agri-environmental principle that they should do what they can schemes in any geographical region, in any The work focused on the farmed landscape, to protect the natural environment from the agricultural context.” negative impact of human activities. rather than special semi-natural areas. The project represented a massive task in data “That's a real challenge and what this “The convention in 1992 put an official seal, collection and analysis and will be completed project has actually done is develop the or stamp on international concerns but more in November this year, after an extension was concept of an agri-environmental (AE) importantly, made a commitment to try and granted by the funding body. footprint index, which is simply a way of do something about it by integrating concern describing the agri-environment in any “We identified four key indicator groups, about biodiversity into every area of human context. The result will hopefully help us birds, bees, aquatic invertebrates and parasitoid activity - it became a formalised process. So, document the benefits of agri- wasps, the latter pretty obscure insects, but Europe produced a whole series of Biodiversity environmental policy and show how biologically they are very interesting. Action Plans (BAPs), one of which is a BAP for farming across Europe can contribute agriculture, and the knock-on from that was “Bio-indicators are species that reflect the to achieving the targets set for that each individual country produced their health of biodiversity generally in an area. protecting bio-diversity.” own variant plans.” These are important, because it is far easier to Sean Duke (BA 1987) is joint editor monitor key bio-indicator groups, than every “The interesting thing about '92 was that it of Science Spin. introduced the idea of a target date of 2010. single species in an ecosystem, which would be hugely costly and time consuming. Birds and

3 Appointment of two new Vice-Presidents

Eamonn Ceannt has been appointed to the Centre and Swimming Pool project led by Prof Mark Keane has been appointed as third and fourth level students. UCD has a newly created position of Vice-President for Vice-President for Students, Dr Martin Butler. Vice-President for Innovation and Corporate unique contribution to make in this domain. Capital and Commercial Development. Partnerships. Other projects include the Sutherland School One of the initial changes will be the Eamonn’s appointment coincides with the of Law, the Belfield Innovation Park and the Mark is a UCD psychology graduate and holds a introduction of taught courses for all PhD recent launch by the President of a series of refurbishment of the Newman building. PhD from TCD. He has been Chair of Computer students, including courses on Innovation major projects to develop the Belfield campus Science at UCD since 1998, broken only by a and Business. Mark will be responsible for into a prestigious facility for UCD students Eamonn was Bursar of UCD from 1999 to May secondment to Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) integration of these courses into PhD and staff. 2007. In this role, he oversaw the financial and where he was Director of Information & programmes and have oversight on their legal affairs of the university together with Communications Technology and interim alignment with other innovations initiatives These projects include the responsibility for campus development and Director General (2004 - 2007). He was a key in UCD. Christoph Ingenhoven commercial activities. Given the significant adviser to Government during the planning of designed Gateway Project increase in the capital programme, Eamonn is the Strategy for Science, Technology and The Government, through various initiatives led by Prof Philip Bourke, taking up his new position to focus exclusively Innovation. such as SFI, has made a significant investment UCD Science Centre led by on delivering this ambitious programme. in research over the past Prof Michael Monaghan His new role expands on the existing number of years and and the Student Eamonn is a UCD psychology graduate, Innovation role, to include the key objective of expects a substantial has a master's degree in computer science strengthening UCD’s relationships with industry return on that from TCD and is a Fellow of the Institute in Ireland through the delivery of research investment. Prof Keane’s of Chartered Accountants. He has worked programmes and outcomes for mutual benefit. new role will provide the as a senior financial consultant with key link between KPMG, as Head of Business Units Mark believes that universities are one of the government funding of with Coillte and managed a few privileged places left where people can research initiatives and number of World Bank pursue research directions based on their own the delivery of research projects in Africa. interests. But, that this privilege brings with it outcomes for the wider certain responsibilities. Part of that benefit of society in responsibility lies in recognising that their Ireland. research plays a key role in the social and economic progress of this country. In the future, it is expected that the intellectual property for new enterprises in Ireland will be delivered by

New perspectives on Cheiron conference unites print cultures at UCD North American and Humanities Institute European Human Scientists Ireland’s close ties to North America and One of the highlights of the conference was The Humanities Institute of Ireland hosted an international scholarship in the area. The Europe make it uniquely placed to act as a the invited address given by the famous innovative international symposium on the development of UCD's capacity in this field of bridge between these two continents. This was philosopher and historian of science, Ian history of the book in the early modern period cultural history complements the university’s evident from the first joint meeting of Cheiron Hacking, titled, ‘The Earliest Days of Autism’. in June. The emergence of print in early modern decision to designate Irish Studies as one of (International Society for History of the Hacking is particularly distinguished, being Europe has long been recognised to have its key strategic areas of research focus. The Behavioral and Social Sciences) and ESHHS among other things the first and only initiated a revolution in the communication of symposium was organised by Dr Marc Caball, (European Society for the History of the Anglophone to be awarded a professorial chair new ideas and beliefs in a manner similar to the Director, UCD Humanities Institute and Dr Human Sciences) which was held at UCD in at the prestigious Collège de France in Paris. He impact of electronic media on contemporary Derval Conroy, UCD School of Languages and June. The local host was Dr Adrian Brock of the is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, cultures and social practices. This event took a Literatures. School of Psychology and he was assisted by a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and comparative approach to the history of the Pictured (l-r): Dr Marc Caball; Prof Andrew his PhD students, Ciarán McMahon and Kieran Sciences, a Fellow of the British Academy and a book in early modern Ireland and France. Carpenter, Head of the School of English, Drama McNally. Sponsorship was provided by the Companion of the Order of Canada. The latter Experts from Ireland, England and France and Film; Dr Meidhbhín Ní Úrdail, School of Irish, College of Human Sciences, the School of is the highest award that the Canadian discussed the dynamic interplay of print, oral Celtic Studies, Irish Folklore and Linguistics; Psychology, Fáilte Ireland, the Radisson SAS government can bestow on a civilian. and manuscript cultures in both countries with Dr Jason Peacey, University College London St. Helens Hotel and AIB Bank. a view to enhancing knowledge of the history and Dr Toby Barnard, Hertford College, Oxford. of the book in the general context of current

Pictured at the Belfield Bowl is Paul Ward, Senior Lecturer at UCD School of Law, who won two tickets to the 21 September Ireland-France World Cup rugby match when he opened a new AIB UCD affinity card. Also pictured are: Louise Kelly, Assistant Manager of AIB Belfield; Tony Walsh, AIB Credit Cards and Aine Gibbons, Vice-President for Alumni and Development. To apply for a UCD AIB affinity card, call in to the AIB branch at UCD or phone 01 269 4499.

4 UCD, Mater, St Vincent’s sign agreement to create Dublin Academic Health Care

UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science outpatients and over 100,000 inpatients. as internationally recognised medical and immunology) as well as directorships in other has signed an historic agreement with the It has over 300 consultants and over 1,400 teaching centres develop their own models of medical research companies and Institutes. Mater University Hospital and St Vincent’s beds available. cross-hospital collaboration in conjunction with Mr Lynch has been a director of IDA Ireland University Hospital to form Ireland's first universities. This model will be unique in that it since 2001 and is chairman of the Queen’s According to Thomas Lynch, Chairman, the academic medical centre, Dublin Academic reflects the profile of needs in the Irish health University of Belfast Foundation. DAHC will give patients access to a greater Health Care (DAHC). care environment and the combined strengths number of medical specialists and allow the Each of the partner institutions will have equal of the three institutions. The UCD team working with the Chairs, senior hospitals to develop a range of additional ownership of DAHC. Existing assets and medical staff and CEOs from the two hospitals subspecialties. “Through the DAHC we will be The scale and co-ordination of activities liabilities of the institutions will remain with included the President, Dr Hugh Brady, Head of able to create greater strength in particular afforded by the establishment of DAHC will each of the founding institutions. Under the the School of Medicine and Medical Science, sub-specialties so that patients can be treated contribute to the realisation of national policy guidance of Mr Thomas Lynch, the DAHC will be Prof Bill Powderly, the Registrar, Dr Philip Nolan by consultants who deal with their specific objectives pertaining to health care delivery, run by a newly created board which will shortly and the Vice-President for Research, Prof Des complaint on a constant rather than an medical education, and biotechnology research appoint a Chief Academic Officer. Fitzgerald. The agreement was formalised in the intermittent basis.” and development. Memorandum of Understanding signed by the “International experience shows that where To head up the new entity, the three partner John Morgan, Chair, Board of Mater Misericordiae three institutions on 26 July 2007. Under this universities and hospitals combine and take a institutions have announced the appointment University Hospital, Dr Hugh Brady, UCD President and Noel Whelan, Chair, Board of St Vincent’s Healthcare MOU each of the partner institutions has equal more holistic view of their core activities - of Mr Thomas Lynch as chair. Mr. Lynch has an Group at the signing of the MOU. ownership of DAHC and the first board meeting patient treatment, education and research - extensive background in the pharmaceutical took place on 10 September under the they have the ability to make an enormous and biotechnology field including the chairmanship of Mr Thomas Lynch. contribution to patient care,” he concluded. chairmanship of Amarin Corporation plc and Tripep AB (companies conducting research in “This initiative will build on longstanding ties During its initial stages, DAHC will focus on the fields of neuroscience, cardiology and between the founding institutions to create a medical education, research and the world class hub of clinical care, teaching and establishment of joint medical departments research. It will facilitate rapid and effective for each specialty, including the integration of transfer of research ideas into clinical practice,” medical (consultant and non-consultant said Dr Brady. “DAHC will greatly enhance the hospital doctors) staffing across the Mater and capacity for leading bench-to-bedside medical St Vincent's. research, and it will offer the very best environment to educate and train the health The two hospitals are already linked to UCD professionals and medical scientists of the with many of the consultants undertaking future.” clinical research and medical student training in addition to their patient care. More recently, The new entity will pool the expertise and the university has established clinical research resources of the three organisations to improve centres with both the Mater and St Vincent's integration of patient care, enhance medical hospitals to increase the volume of clinical training and advance collaboration between research undertaken and to translate biomedical researchers and clinicians. biomedical and clinical research into improved “This new venture will enhance medical patient care. Current research includes education through all stages by combining the inflammatory and infectious disease (e.g. current responsibility of the medical school for arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic undergraduate training with more co-ordinated lung disease, hepatitis, HIV), cardiovascular training of doctors at graduate level,” said diseases (pulmonary hypertension, COPD, heart Prof Powderly. failure, atherosclerosis, cystic fibrosis), cancers (e.g. breast, prostate, bladder and colorectal), As the first of its kind in Ireland, DAHC will psychiatric disorders and neurodegeneration enable the co-ordinated deployment of (Alzheimer's Disease, schizophrenia, stroke, etc), resources and the development of shared diabetes, obesity and metabolic disorders. services across the three institutions to improve access and quality of patient care in Ireland. The number of academic healthcare centres The DAHC can expect to look after 290,000 across North America and Europe is increasing

UCD awarded €30 million in PRTLI Cycle 4

The Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin TD, has awarded UCD €29.838 million in Within the sciences four main collaborative programmes are to receive recurrent funding: Cycle 4 of the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI). This comprises • Biopharmaceutical & Pharmacological Sciences programme builds on the €72m National Institute €17,547 million capital infrastructure funding for the development of the UCD Science Centre for Bioprocessing Research and Training which is being established by the IDA at Belfield. Together and €12,291 million recurrent funding for projects in the humanities and sciences. these landmark initiatives will concentrate on providing trained researchers for Ireland’s emerging biopharmaceutical industry. Announcing the awards, the Minister said that the €605 million investment to date in research under • Food Ireland supports one of Ireland’s largest industries - agri-business through the development of the PRTLI scheme has transformed the research landscape in Ireland over the past decade. The funding a national food and health research programme in collaboration. for allocation in this cycle was increased to €230 million, €39 million more than originally planned. • National Nanoscience Programme is designed to impact on emerging nanotechnologies identified Welcoming the announcement, Dr Hugh Brady said that the university believes the investment will as key wealth generators in the future. The programme will create a national nanosciences platform have direct impact on the next stage of Ireland's development. “This timely investment in 4th level to co-ordinate the activities of the collaborative institutions in key new interdisciplinary areas. and research infrastructure will ultimately contribute to Ireland's development as a vibrant knowledge • Biomedical Science which will facilitate national consolidation and co-ordination of research and society,” said Dr Brady. “It is particularly gratifying to see very significant investments being made training activities in the biomedical sciences. across the full range of UCD’s disciplines from the arts and social sciences to biopharmaceutical On the capital side, the funding will enable the re-development of UCD Science Centre. “This science and nanomedicine.” investment is a catalyst for the creation of a major transformation of science at UCD,” said Prof Des Fitzgerald, Vice-President for Research. “One of the key priorities in our campus development plan is Within the humanities, the Global Ireland Institute will concentrate on the study of Ireland and its the complete upgrade of our science facilities to ensure that we are equipped to produce the science diaspora. In a radically interdisciplinary programme, the Institute will explore the hypothesis that and engineering graduates that are so essential to Ireland’s ongoing economic success. This funding modern Ireland is more accurately defined as the 70 million global Irish family rather than the allows us to proceed with the first phase of this development.” 5 million inhabitants of the island and that much of Ireland's current values, culture, peace and prosperity is due to the influence of this global community. The Irish Social Science Data Archive will The UCD programmes include collaboration with twelve universities and institutes: UCC, Trinity also receive funding to further a national infrastructure in social science data collection and College Dublin, DCU, NUI Maynooth, University of Limerick, RCSI, Queens University, Cork Institute of management. Technology, ESRI, Dublin Institute of Technology, IT Tallaght, NUI Galway.

5 Spotlight on

UCD Library has a proud tradition of being provided with power and data points. The new at the heart of the university for over a libraries enable people to study in different hundred years. This admirable tradition is ways; while there are plenty of individual study founded on the Library's ability to evolve spaces, clustered spaces and project rooms for and adjust to meet the changing needs of collaborative study purposes, such as evidence- UCD staff and students. In recent times this based learning and project work, are also capacity to anticipate and adapt to the provided. Purpose designed information skills Library readers’ needs has never been more rooms are available where trained Library staff apparent. In the last twelve months there demonstrate and train users in the best ways of have been many physical, virtual and service identifying, selecting, and assessing the developments to ensure that it continues to information they need from the wide range of empower UCD staff and students to available resources. maximise their potential. This renewed emphasis on information skills In its two newest branch libraries is another area in which the Library has made (Health Sciences and Blackrock Campus) the significant progress. UCD Library, supporting Library is aiming to reshape spaces in dynamic the university's goal of achieving excellence in and innovative ways that will enhance the teaching, learning and research, has established teaching, learning and research experiences of two teams dedicated to delivering information staff and students. Sean Philips, University skills sessions and workshops to users. Last Librarian explains, “UCD Library is aiming both year's 13,000 attendees at sessions gained to shape and to facilitate the university’s enormous benefit from the experience. development as a leading research-intensive For 4th Level research students and academic institution characterised by excellence in staff, the Library offers practical, hands-on teaching and learning.” sessions covering a range of topics including While the libraries are different in their locating research in their area, effective use of character (one is a completely new building, academic search engines (eg Google Scholar), the other a refurbished historic church), they advanced database search (eg Westlaw, share this common purpose. Readers are being Academic Search-Premier) and keeping connected to knowledge in new ways, and up-to-date using RSS feeds. can now draw on vast resources of online For undergraduate students and taught information as well as traditional print. postgraduates, the Library staff provides The new libraries have wireless network information skills sessions in a range of settings capability throughout, and all study spaces are New Student Information Desk including 30 minute presentations on ‘how to

The Health Sciences Library

Smurfit School Library

6 UCD Library UCD Library locate resources’; one-off sessions - at the orientation programme. There were daily prizes While providing a better service is the primary request of a member of academic staff; and of book tokens and a final prize draw for aim of these developments, another key sessions embedded into modules, where, everyone who took part for a €100 voucher for objective is to support the broader goals of the working with Schools, they provide subject The House of Fraser, all donated by 3M. “14% of university by working with colleagues from Facts specific skills necessary to locate and use the students who came to the desk last year other areas. Library staff are working with a information in an effective and ethical manner. were looking for information on the online number of academic and administrative services offered by the library,” said O'Brien. colleagues to explore the potential of Second “The information world is increasingly complex and Figures “We expect this trend to continue for this year.” Life, podcasts and blogs and this is something and the Library has a key role in providing our they would like to do more of. “For Web 2.0 readers with the necessary skills and knowledge The increasing importance of online, web-based technologies to reach their full potential, to find, evaluate and use information,” says services is one that the Library has long campus-wide use is important and the Library • During term time the James Joyce Ursula Byrne, Sub-Librarian for Humanities and recognised. UCD Library is at the forefront of has the relevant expertise and experience to Library is open for 96.5 hours per Social Sciences. ‘Web 2.0’ developments and staff regularly facilitate this,” says McCauley. week, the longest of any university speak at conferences and seminars about their While information skills are a constant feature expertise and innovation in this area. Examples A key project in this regard is the Irish Virtual library in Ireland of the Library's service portfolio, the start of the of this are the Library's presence in Second Life Research Library and Archive (IVRLA), a HEA new academic year sees a particular emphasis (the online virtual world), the use of instant PRTLI-funded project based in UCD Library. • About 600,000 items are borrowed placed on the needs of students who are new to messaging technology, the extensive use of The project is a component of the research every year – that’s roughly 3 items UCD. The library's new student information desk blogs and the downloadable mp3 audio tour. programme of the Humanities Institute of every minute is available for the first few weeks of the Ireland (UCD HII) and its aims are to support semester. “We wanted new students to have UCD Library was the first Irish library to have a leading-edge research by enabling access to • There are approximately 1.2 million one point of contact for all they need to know Second Life branch and it has attracted national digitised content and to undertake direct about the Library,” said Aoife O'Brien, co- and international attention. Cathal McCauley, books, periodical volumes and other research on digitisation and digital repositories. ordinator of the James Joyce Library Induction Sub-Librarian for Reader Services, explains: “Our items in the library stock The IVRLA works with four primary UCD source Group. “The new student desk has been a big Second Life project is an example of how the repositories: UCD Archives, UCD Delargy Centre success and every year we expand it.” This year Library wants to reach out to our readers using • If all the library shelving were laid for Irish Folklore and the National Folklore students are being brought to the desk by the the avenue that best suits them. The potential end-to-end, it would stretch for about Collection, the Irish Dialect Archive and UCD Orientation Guides after they have collected of the virtual world is limitless.” James Joyce Library Special Collections. The 40 kilometres, roughly the same as their student cards. No question is too simple While other developments have not been so next issue of UCD today will have more the distance from Belfield to Wicklow or too complex for the staff, who are always high profile, they also make a difference to information about this exciting project. happy to help. students. “Our downloadable audio tour means • There are approximately 3,000 For more information about any of the A Scavenger Hunt, designed to introduce that students can take a tour of the James reading and study places throughout above or the Library in general please see: students to all levels of the Library, ran for three Joyce Library at a time that suits them,” says www.ucd.ie/library or contact any member the UCD libraries weeks and was part of the overall UCD Josh Clarke, one of the Liaison Librarian team. of Library staff.

Smurfit School Library

UCD in Second Life Smurfit School Library

7 HEA Strategic Transforming Student Learning

Enquiry and Problem-Based Learning (EPBL) relevant experts through skills workshops and When asked for her top tips, Geraldine is Innovation has been utilised to varying levels by UCD discipline specific meetings. unequivocal, allow plenty of time to design the staff, but now due to a funding award under module, typically start the academic year The project involves lecturers across all five the HEA Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), before you plan to give it and pick a module UCD Colleges, as well as national and Fund UCD's Centre for Teaching and Learning is that is easy to change. This is important in international partners, such as the Centre for getting the opportunity to develop building confidence in the process. Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning in the The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) is a experience in a wider range of models, University of Manchester. Dissemination is an important element of the €300m five-year fund co-ordinated by the across various class sizes and levels, project. Already a book proposal, co-ordinated Higher Education Authority (HEA) to including 4th Level. Dr O'Neill is very clear that EPBL offers many by Terry Barrett, is being developed involving links between the university's teaching and promote collaboration, support change According to Dr Geraldine O'Neill, joint Project many of the external and internal staff who are learning agenda and its research objectives. and enhance quality in Irish higher Director with colleague Terry Barrett, “Learning developing new modules. The Centre hosted the education. Under SIF cycle 1, UCD and its from this experience we will be able to offer “Encouraging students to learn through a Inaugural International Colloquium on partner institutions received funding for those interested in developing an EPBL process of enquiry helps develop the University Teaching and Learning in June and projects in the areas of transforming module/programme a range of models and prerequisites for research. We see in particular presented a poster on strategies for organising student learning, stimulating innovative experiences to choose from. This funding to that students seek out library resources much group work in large classes at the All Ireland teaching and widening participation. support curriculum design is particularly earlier in their undergraduate career and Society for Higher Education (AISHE) meeting UCD's SIF projects are co-ordinated by the important as it is facilitating us to tackle areas develop skills in literature review and critical in August. where EPBL was traditionally viewed as more thinking. These are the fundamental building Registrar and a steering committee which “I believe that the use of EPBL across all levels will difficult, for example with large groups.” blocks of research. reports to the University Teaching and offer us a means to further exploit the flexibility Learning Board. In this and subsequent SIF funding is specifically enabling the Centre to Similarly, students develop group working, of UCD's modular curriculum, by offering a issues of UCD today, we will explore the provide educational development for staff to communication and time management skills at mechanism to tailor learning to the needs of the innovative projects that UCD staff and support curriculum design and implementation, an early stage that stand to them throughout individual. This project will give us valuable students are involved in. help with e-learning and establishment of their academic and professional careers.” experience as to the most effective models for online resources, and to provide access to EPBL across a wide range of disciplines.”

One of the major tasks faced by Danielle and her colleagues has been planning the logistics for the What is Introducing 500 First Year module. The 500 students will be broken into groups of 20-25 with each group comprising smaller working groups of five to eight students. Enquiry and Students to English and EPBL These will have four hours contact time per week that has to be timetabled as a mix of group and Professor Danielle Clarke and her fellow exercises as second level but demanding very support sessions. module co-ordinators Drs Niamh Pattwell different learning outcomes. In reality we were Problem- and Fionnuala Dillane wanted to improve confusing them by continuing to use the same “I firmly believe that the hard work in their students' transition from second to modes of teaching and assessment. This is developing this module over an eighteen month third level, better develop their skills, and where we hope to see the benefit of enquiry period will pay off. Through the use of EPBL we Based engage and energise them in their subject, based learning by challenging and breaking will inspire our students and give them but how was this best achieved with 500 down the students' expectations with confidence to pursue their English studies to a students in the module? something completely new, which is also higher level by building on a solid foundation of Learning creative in method, whilst reinforcing the core English language skills and wider life skills that “I had always used some EPBL techniques in my skills needed for our subject.” will stand to them”, concludes Danielle. classes but the impetus to utilise EPBL to EBPL is an encompassing term used to transform our introductory English module was The new 10 credit module, to be taught from describe enquiry and problem driven a SIF funded teaching workshop run by the September 2008, will comprise three primary approaches to learning. Through the Centre for Teaching and Learning”, says Danielle tasks; editing a literary magazine, adapting a use of triggers the lecturer established Clarke. “Hearing and learning from others gave scene from a Shakespearian play for a young us the confidence and inspiration to begin audience, and identifying and classifying a a task and supports the students as developing our own large group module.” manuscript. they pursue their own lines of enquiry, drawing on existing knowledge and The new module had to deliver both “While the approach may seem quite new, the pedagogical objectives and an academic learning outcomes we are after will be very identifying consequent learning needs. networking objective, encouraging students to traditional. We are still trying to teach EPBL can include a wide spectrum of interact earlier with the School's teaching staff, humanities students how knowledge is activity including field work, case and with each other. produced and validated but we are also adding studies, workshops, individual and life skills through group work. Managing group “We were aware that our first year students dynamics, allocating responsibilities and group project work, research activity were starting a third level module where we meeting deadlines are all essential skills for a and use of e-learning resources. were using the same kinds of assessment developing student.” Prof Danielle Clarke

fully understand the principle. When I have to work in a team, solve problems, show Flashing Trainers - a New tested this exercise before, the students have leadership skills, communicate effectively and left energised and are still discussing it over demonstrate information literacy are crucial coffee. You don't get that when you teach the skills for a health care professional. piezo-electric effect through traditional Approach to Teaching a lectures!” “We now have an approach that enables us to integrate our learning objectives into each According to Marie the benefits of using this module rather than having to teach them Master's Programme teaching approach across the programme is separately. It has been a real challenge to that the students use a much wider range of redevelop this programme but it has also information sources including the clinical proved to be stimulating and exciting.” When Marie Stanton and her colleagues in Marie and her colleagues have taken a unique experts they work with in the hospitals. These UCD’s Diagnostic Imaging needed to approach applying problem based learning clinicians also play a pivotal role in helping Marie Stanton with redesign their MSc in Ultrasound, a techniques across their entire programme. develop real life clinical cases for the students the children's trainers professional block release programme for They have come up with a range of triggers and to work on. used to stimulate radiographers and midwives, they turned to clinical case histories to stimulate and guide discussion around the Centre for Teaching and Learning for help the learning outcomes from each module. “We held two clinical problem writing days, ultrasound. in implementing problem based learning Many are innovative, such as the use of a child's where we invited our clinical colleagues to techniques. flashing trainer to stimulate discussion and come and help write the problems the students exploration around the fundamental principles would use. This was a major success. The “With the continued advancement of evidence of ultrasound (the trainers utilise the clinicians really enjoyed it and those who were based medicine, I felt that we should adopt the piezo-electric effect to produce the flashing sceptical at the start are now totally convinced. same evidence based practice in teaching. light, the same underlying principal as in The real crux came when I, along with some ultrasound scanners). “We are confident that when our 24 master’s colleagues, attended a course run by the Centre students start in September 2007 they will for Teaching and Learning through problem “We are going to use the flashing trainer in our enter a programme that will give them the based learning. Being a student and induction programme. We give the students a required clinical scanning skills, analytical and experiencing the impact the approach had on bag with two trainers that have flashing lights evaluation capability, the ability to adapt and my learning really convinced me that this was in the heels. They discuss these in groups, change with the health service and, equally the way forward for our programme,” says brainstorming and identifying the learning importantly, a host of life skills. Being able Marie Stanton. issues they feel they need to master in order to

8 In July, UCD played host to the International hosting, with delegates from Ireland, the UK, Association for the Study of Irish Literatures the enlarged EU, the US, Canada, South ‘Varieties Conference, which is held at an Irish America, Egypt, Korea, China, Japan, Australia university every three years. IASIL is the and New Zealand. largest association in the field of Irish Studies; its goals are to develop the IASIL 07 kicked off with welcoming addresses of Irishness’ understanding of Irish literature at third and from Prof Roche and from Dr Pádraic Conway, fourth level worldwide and to facilitate Vice-President for University Relations. There international contact between scholars then followed a vintage keynote address from IASIL 07 researching in the field. Declan Kiberd, Professor of Anglo-Irish Literature and Drama, who addressed in IASIL has particular associations with the UCD characteristically witty and wide-ranging School of English, Drama and Film: as a number fashion the extent to which Homer's Odyssey Triennial of academics were instrumental in the founding could be reread through Joyce's Ulysses.The and development of the organisation and all three plenary lectures displayed the diversity of IASIL members receive the twice-annual journal, the conference theme. Professor Nicholas Grene Ken Heininge with Prof Kathy Heininge, George Fox the Irish University Review, which has been of Trinity College, Dublin, spoke of the highs - University and Heather Bowlby, Cal State University Conference produced from within the School for almost and lows - of his year in 2006 as a judge in The Long Beach. four decades. IASIL 07 at UCD was organised by Irish Times Theatre Awards. Professor Anne Professor Anthony Roche in association with Fogarty of UCD looked at some of the most focus on women writers and gender issues and at UCD the School and with the Global Irish Institute. It interesting of the current Irish novelists. a welcome increase in the number of papers drew a record number of attendees, topping the Professor Cheryl Herr of the University of Iowa devoted to Irish language authors. Individual 300 mark, and proved a truly international showed film clips to illustrate her talk on panels were presented on Yeats, Joyce, Beckett, ‘Stories for Boys: Encounters with Rock ‘n’ Roll'. John McGahern and Edna O’Brien and paper There were three memorable readings by some topics ranged from ‘A Brazilian Approach to of Ireland’s most outstanding contemporary Staging Marie Jones’ Stones in his Pockets' to authors. John Banville read from a new novel; 'Russian Influence on Northern Irish Poetry’. In Richard Murphy read a wide selection of his all, 275 individual papers were delivered across poetry and an extract from his recent memoir, the five days of the conference. Attendance at The Kick; and Paula Meehan introduced the the individual panels was strong and the debates audience to poems from her forthcoming which began in the lecture halls continued long collection. There was also a reading by four afterwards. In the words of organiser Tony Roche: poets to celebrate 25 years of publishing by “The conference developed its own momentum Salmon in the west of Ireland. The social side of and by Wednesday everything just flowed. the conference was not neglected, with two People stayed with the panels they were receptions (one at Dublin Castle), two book attending - eminent professors lined up to hear launches in the Campus Bookshop and a closing papers by postgrad students as well as the banquet on the Friday night in O'Reilly Hall. reverse, ideas were passionately engaged with, and a great deal of fun was had by all. It was a The theme of IASIL 07, ‘Varieties of Irishness’, model of a working global politics which was intended to open up the area of enriched all of us.” investigation both to the worldwide diaspora and to new immigrants. There was a particular

Past and present editors of the Irish University Review at the conference: Prof Maurice Harmon (1970 - 1986), Prof Christopher Murray (1987 - 1996), Prof Anne Fogarty (2003 - present) and Prof Anthony Roche (1998 - 2002).

UCD Carnival Day

A record number of UCD staff, with their families and friends, attended this year’s Carnival Day, held in the UCD Sports Centre and surrounds on 30 June. Children were treated to a range of fun attractions and activities on the day. They day was superbly organised by the 2007 Carnival Day committee.

9 Addressing Ireland’s Energy Needs

Representatives of the Dept of Minister Eamon Ryan TD heralded reducing Communications, Energy and Natural consumption as the key pillar in future energy Resources met Energy Needs Ireland, a new policy. If primary energy use continues to UCD undergraduate research group, in July increase at the current rate, the likelihood of to discuss Ireland’s energy future. Minister meeting these needs sustainably and Eamon Ryan TD, Secretary General Brendan economically will be an impossibility. Tuohy, and Departmental Research Co-ordinator Barry McSweeney also attended. Energy Needs Ireland is a new UCD research group that has been set up as part of the Mr Tuohy emphasised the need for long-term Charles Parsons scholarship programme. holistic thinking. He alluded to the necessity It consists of eight undergraduate and two for a solution that would solve our current graduate students. The group has been set the problems but would also not impact unduly challenging goal of formulating a sensible on future generations. Barry McSweeney sought energy policy for the island of Ireland. input on how best to forward his attempts to foster undergraduate interest in postgraduate Check out http://eni.ucd.ie for up to date research. information.

AIB bases €30 million Seed Capital Fund at UCD

Equally funded by AIB and Enterprise Ireland, the €30m Seed Capital Fund is the first established under Enterprise Ireland’s €175 million Seed and Venture Capital Scheme 2007-2012. The average initial investment made by the fund will be €250,000. With a seven year economic life, the fund is expected to make 50 to 60 investments.

Welcoming the establishment of the AIB Seed Capital Fund Dr Pat Frain, Director, NovaUCD said, “One of the challenges facing UCD is to accelerate the establishment of new ventures to commercialise innovative ideas and intellectual property arising from its growing research programmes. Two key issues in this regard are access to management expertise and the availability of seed funding.” He added, “This new fund is particularly welcomed since it will focus on early stage high-potential start-ups such as those spinning out from UCD research.” Invention Disclosures up NovaUCD PR by over 50% Excellence Award At the launch of its 2006 Annual Report, economy and society,” said Dr Pat Frain, NovaUCD reported that UCD researchers Director, NovaUCD. NovaUCD and Simpson Financial and Technology PR were recognised for excellence in public relations submitted 37 invention disclosures in 2006, at the recent 2007 PRCA (Ireland) PR Excellence Awards. NovaUCD and Simpson were shortlisted in up by over 50% on the number submitted in “Recent initiatives aimed at strengthening the the Corporate Communications - Business to Business category for the ‘NovaUCD - Building a the previous year. support provided for technology transfer at NovaUCD, coupled with increasing research Knowledge Economy’ public relations campaign. In its report, NovaUCD also reported that activity at the university, will help to further 15 priority patent applications, three PCT increase the level of commercial activity.” applications and two national/regional patent Micéal Whelan, NovaUCD “This is good news for the Irish economy since with Mary O'Brien, Account applications were filed during 2006 for Director, Simpson FTPR intellectual property in life sciences, it will result in more opportunities to generate engineering and information and new indigenous high-tech ventures and to communication technology. Eleven licence attract overseas investment in R&D, factors agreements were also concluded with a range which are essential for the development of our of indigenous and international companies. knowledge-based economy,” he continued.

“The significant increase in invention NovaUCD is responsible for the implementation disclosures is indicative of a growing awareness of UCD policies relating to the among UCD researchers of the need to protect commercialisation of intellectual property and commercialise research-generated arising from UCD’s research programmes and intellectual property for the benefit of the for the provision of advice on the identification, protection and exploitation of this intellectual property. NovaUCD also provides entrepreneurs and knowledge-based start-up companies with incubation facilities, including bio-incubation space, and a comprehensive business support programme comprising advice, seminars, consultancy, workshops and individual training. NovaUCD is the main point of contact for companies seeking partners for collaborative research and advice on licensing and other commercial opportunities.

Dr Pat Frain, Director, NovaUCD

10 food A new approach to healthy food

When you munch on a slice of pizza or sip a probiotic yogurt drink, you probably just register a pleasant taste and move on. But next time, spare a thought for the tremendous amount of research that goes into ensuring that what you eat is appealing, convenient and healthy. Claire O’Connell talks to Professor Dolores O’Riordan about her research.

In UCD that research includes protecting One is micro-encapsulation, or coating be pleasing both aesthetically and from a “One of the delivery mechanisms we are probiotic bacteria, bumping up fibre levels in bioactive substances in food to protect them sensory point of view.” But so far the snack is looking at is edible or biodegradable films,” says cheese snacks and even creating edible during processing. “If you have something like a developing nicely. “We have just patented an Prof O’Riordan. “So we would put the bioactive packaging to help keep food fresh. And at all delicate lemongrass, basil or parsley flavour, application for cheese where you can take a into the film, and the final product would look times the key is making sure the consumer once you put it through processing you lose the little disc, pop it in the microwave and it puffs like a piece of cling film. If you could put this on will enjoy these functional foods, according very nice volatiles that you would get from a up into something that resembles a prawn your food and the anti-microbial substance is in to Prof Dolores O’Riordan, associate chopped herb. Heat damage and colour changes cracker. It’s very high in protein, calcium and it, that you have a natural anti-microbial professor of food science at the UCD School would be big problems, and from a nutritional fibre yet low in fat,” she says. “The big thing protecting the food product.” Such focus on the of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary point of view, some of the vitamins are heat would be to combine health, convenience and user underpins all Prof O'Riordan's projects: Medicine. Prof O'Riordan's goal is to improve labile too,” she explains. taste together so that you are getting the “'Having some years in industry, I like there to the quality, convenience and health benefits whole lot in one.” be an opportunity for industrial uptake or at of food products, and she has been Prof O’Riordan’s team is also micro- least a practical application at the end of the examining food ingredients since her days encapsulating probiotic or ‘friendly’ bacteria in a To help ensure a tasty end result, the day,” she says. as a doctoral candidate at University protective armour of proteins, carbohydrates researchers use a suite of equipment College Cork. and gums before they are put into yogurts, so to mimic what normally happens to food. But food and its consumption is a complex area they stand a better chance of reaching the gut “We try to predict how it will perform in the of research and Prof O'Riordan describes herself Her PhD in protein chemistry looked at ways of in good shape. “Probiotic yogurts can only be of real environment so we test things like texture as a cog in a wider scheme of collaborators. using pig's blood products in food production, benefit if you can get the live bacteria into you. and mouth-feel, how something is going to “What makes it work here is that there is a and from there she went into more palatable- Probiotics may be live going into the bottle of deform, and mimicking the stresses like great team. People do genuinely get on very sounding work in industry, developing yogurt but it’s of little use if they sit on the chopping and eating,” says Prof O'Riordan, well within the food group at UCD. There’s a ingredients for chocolate manufacturers and shelf and die over time and then, on ingesting adding that UCD staff often volunteer to great diversity; we have the engineers, the improving the flavours of cheese products. them, they don't survive into the right area of taste the works in progress. nutritionists, the chemists, the microbiologists. the intestine,” she says. And that’s what makes it so interesting, they She joined UCD in 1995 and in hindsight says To help keep food products tasty and safe for can all tap in. There’s a little production line it was a timely move. “I was very fortunate,” Gut bacteria could also get a boost from longer, Prof O'Riordan’s team is currently going from the discovery of the bioactive in the she recalls. “I hit the university just as the another of her projects to produce a low-fat looking at components in milk that could help food product to making something that can go Department of Agriculture was investing quite cheese snack with added prebiotic fibre that kill off food spoilage organisms like Salmonella. through a full food process and come out for a lot of money in food research. So within can help probiotic bacteria to grow. But They are also testing whether anti-microbials the consumer.” And the consumer experience is months of joining UCD I had two large grants bumping up the fibre can present derived from milk can help stop bacteria paramount, insists Prof O'Riordan. “At the end to research areas that I was interested in and I challenges to taste, notes Prof sticking to teeth, thus reducing dental of the day all of our research is going to be got up and running quite quickly.” That funding O'Riordan. “As you might caries. And ultimately these useless if the consumer doesn’t benefit by and research continues today, spanning several know from eating high fibre protective, microbe-thwarting consuming healthy food, and everyone has to areas of novel food technologies and processes. breakfast cereals, it’s not agents could be put into a form pull together to deliver the end product.’ exactly the most appetising of edible packaging being texture or flavour, and developed at UCD and UCC. Claire O’Connell (BSc 1992, PhD 1998) is a ideally you want food to freelance journalist.

Health Drink The term ‘drink to your health’ could take on a more literal meaning, thanks to research being carried out in UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine.

The multi-disciplinary team is extracting and testing herbal anti-inflammatory agents from feverfew, chamomile flowers, meadow sweet, willow bark and nettles and hopes to combine them in a drink that consumers will want to swallow.

The group is currently extracting phenolic compounds from harvests of the organic herbal crops, says Prof O'Riordan, and the ultimate aim is to develop a prototype functional drink targeted at sports enthusiasts and the over-50s to help promote joint health. Prof O'Riordan at work

11 Nanoscale function group joins UCD Conway Institute

Prof Suzi Jarvis and her nanoscale function tip under controlled conditions to build a Prof Jarvis graduated from the University of group (www.nanofunction.org) have recently three-dimensional image of a sample. Oxford with a BA in Physics and a Kodak joined UCD Conway Institute from the Frequency modulation AFM is an extension of sponsored DPhil in Materials. This was followed Centre for Research on Adaptive the technique for extra sensitive measurements by postdoctoral fellowships in Japan at the Joint Nanostructures and Nanodevices at TCD. The that is used extensively in ultra-high vacuum. Research Center for Atom Technology, Tsukuba, multidisciplinary team has a skills base that before moving on to a staff position at the includes physics, electrical and mechanical Prof Jarvis pioneered the implementation of Nanotechnology Research Institute, also in engineering, materials science, mathematics, this technique in liquid, which means that it can Tsukuba. She became a Science Foundation chemistry, biology and psychology. now be used for studying biological materials Ireland principal investigator at TCD in July 2002. under physiological conditions. Her own group Using atomic force microscope (AFM) have used the technique to study model techniques, Prof Jarvis and the team investigate membranes and the membrane-fluid interface the nanometre-scale functionality of organic on a sub-molecular scale. and biological molecules. AFM uses a probe or

UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science is delighted to announce the recruitment of Prof Michael P Keane, MD as Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics in the UCD School of Medicine Professor and Medical Science, based in St Vincent's University Hospital.

Prof Keane is currently associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care Michael P Medicine and Hospitalists at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. Prof Keane is a graduate of UCD, and after initial medicine training at the Mater and Beaumont hospitals in Dublin, completed his Fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Michigan. Prof Keane's research centres on the pathogenic mechanisms of Keane pulmonary fibrosis.

“I am delighted to welcome Professor Keane back to Ireland,” said Prof Bill Powderly, Head of the appointed UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science. “Michael is an accomplished clinician scientist and his research will complement our translational research programmes in pulmonary inflammatory disease and cystic fibrosis. In addition, his expertise in lung disease and critical care medicine will enhance Professor of patient care and medical education at St Vincent's University Hospital.” Prof Keane succeeds Prof Muiris FitzGerald, who recently retired as Professor of Medicine and Dean of the Medical School. “The UCD medical community would like to pay particular tribute to Professor Medicine FitzGerald,” Prof Powderly told us. “His leadership in medical education in Ireland has paved the way for the growth and development of the UCD Medical School and Dublin Academic Health Care.” NovaUCD 2007 Innovation Award presented to Prof Ciaran Regan

In recognition of his successes in the Prof Regan's research focuses on understanding establishment of key strategic and mechanisms of brain plasticity and in exploiting collaborative links with industry and in the these mechanisms as novel drug targets. commercialisation of neuroscience research, A named inventor on six UCD patents, he also Prof Ciaran Regan was presented with the co-founded a successful UCD spin-out company NovaUCD 2007 Innovation Award at an event Berand Neuropharmacology in 2004. Berand, in early July. which is developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of autism and obesity, currently Prof Regan, Professor of Neuropharmacology at employs four people and is located in NovaUCD UCD's School of Biomolecular and Biomedical with research facilities based in the UCD Science and co-ordinator of the Applied Conway Institute. Neurotherapeutics Research Group, secured €10 million in funding from Wyeth Discovery The NovaUCD Innovation Award was and Science Foundation Ireland to establish the established in 2004 to highlight UCD’s Applied Neurotherapeutics Research Group at commitment to innovation. The award is UCD. The Group, which aims to identify novel presented annually to an individual in neurotherapeutic targets, has already generated recognition of excellence in, contribution eight invention disclosures. This link was of or commitment to innovation or in recognition critical importance in Wyeth's decision to of successes achieved in the commercialisation establish a €13 million bio-therapeutic drug of UCD research. discovery research facility at UCD. Prof Ciaran Regan, winner of the NovaUCD 2007 Innovation Award

12 immigration Immigration and Social Change in the Republic of Ireland Kate Hickey (BA Int 2003) speaks to Dr Bryan Fanning about the role of academic research in facilitating the integration of immigrants to the New Ireland.

In March this year, he “I think what we'll see in 2009 is quite a lot of matter of social policy in shaping the New completed a study funded by interest from both immigrant communities and Ireland. “Here at UCD, we’re educating the new the Migration and Citizenship political parties in engaging in a new way,” said generation of politicians, business people, Research Initiative along with Dr Fanning. “Hopefully the outcome of that will managers - the key people who will be living in Prof Jo Shaw of the University be greater representation of immigrants in local and managing the New Ireland. We're training a of Edinburgh and Jane-Ann politics and at least the flagging to all political generation of people who will have O'Connell and Marie Williams parties, that immigrants will be significant responsibility for change and we need to teach from the Initiative. The study, players in the conversation about what's taking them skills that the previous generation didn’t entitled ‘Irish Political Parties, place, and not merely people who are to be have. We need to equip them for this New Immigration and Integration in talked about.” Ireland and we are uniquely placed to do that 2007’, brought to light the through research, policy analysis and through need for the integration of Things are already beginning to change. This our teaching programmes at UCD.” immigrant communities into year Councillor Rotimi Adebari became the first the party political process in African to be elected to the position of Mayor, Dr Fanning’s research and publishing Ireland. in Portlaoise. Dr. Fanning pointed out, “There will progress as the New Ireland continues was a reception for him in Leinster House. to emerge. “Political integration is The Ceann Comhairle, John O’Donoghue TD, crucial,” Dr Fanning explained. invited him and his wife there. That’s a very This October sees the launch of Dr Fanning’s “You can't have open dialogue symbolic gesture. Here you have a man who is, book, ‘Evil, God, the Greater Good and Rights’. unless all the relevant voices in a sense, a symbol of the New Ireland.” Another book ‘Intellectual Politics and Nation- are in the room. There’s a Building: Ireland 1912-1986’ will be published sense that political inclusion Looking ahead Dr Fanning sees a lot of early next year. for immigrants is a basic questions on the horizon. How will the Kate Hickey is a freelance journalist working for requirement for change to political parties reach out? Do immigrants see Be Creative Media, Independent Newspapers, happen in the future.” In the themselves getting involved? He commented, the Irish Echo New York and NY Arts Magazine. past Dr Fanning was involved “We don't know all the answers to these in similar studies which questions. Hopefully the situation will be more Dr Bryan Fanning of UCD School of Applied Social Science focused on the 2004 and 2007 open in 2009 but there will certainly be an Dr Bryan Fanning, a Senior Lecturer in the elections. He explained the importance of this interesting debate in the meantime and I will UCD School of Applied Social Science, has research. “This was done for a number of hopefully be researching aspects of that debate.” recently edited a collection of essays on the reasons. One was to find out how political Each country must come to terms with its historic transformation of immigrant Ireland. parties were responding to immigrants as own changing social situation, for example the The collection, ‘Immigration and Social potential voters and supporters, but also to changes in Ireland following the large scale Change in the Republic of Ireland’, which is assess the level and quality of dialogue between immigration which it has witnessed over the being very well received, draws on a great immigrants and political parties.” past five years, and it is through research and many themes, such as citizenship and subsequent changes to social policy that constitutional change, the economic He continued, “It’s very much an active research integration will be facilitated. Dr Fanning contribution of immigrants, asylum seekers, model where you're sharing the output of the observed, “In that sense integration of politics, immigrant communities, integration research with the political parties and immigrant communities is not just about models and social policy. encouraging them to formulate answers to the questions as they arise.” While Dr Fanning culture; whether or not people wear a burka or All of these subjects are close to Dr Fanning’s believes that these studies have had a whether or not they’re Muslim. It’s about heart, having being involved in a great deal of significant impact on how political parties practical issues like education, health, research in these areas throughout his career. think, there's still room for improvement. schools, integration into society and how the Having completed his doctorate at Birbeck ‘For example, you don't see large scale government can facilitate this by developing College in London, he returned to Ireland after immigrant inclusion in political parties but you social policies that are designed to meet the a decade. ”I came back at a time when it was do see shifts in thinking like, for example, the needs of all the different people in our society. obvious that Ireland was changing very very establishment of a new position of Minister of In that sense, I think the UCD School of quickly. It was immediately apparent that there State for Immigration Affairs,” he commented. Applied Social Science and the was an unmet need to research how research I’m involved with can immigration was going to affect the Republic of The 2009 elections will be especially interesting play an important role in Ireland.” Having worked as a policy officer in with regard to integration as immigrants will be these developments the Borough of Harringey and in other parts of able to vote. Looking back on past elections, as Ireland moves London, Dr Fanning was used to working in a such as 2004, it is hoped that there will be forward. It’s a very policy environment which needed to address some change. ‘In 2004 immigrants stood for exciting time.” the diverse needs of a very cosmopolitan part local elections, two were elected, both In these ever- of the world. Independent. Most the people who stood from immigrant communities were Independent, changing times, political parties did not or were not yet able to Dr Fanning reach out to those communities. reiterated the need for education in the

13 UCD hosts 15th European UCD School of Medicine Symposium on Organic & Medical Science & UCD Chemistry (ESOC) MGA - Alumni Gala Reunion

The 15th European Symposium on Organic recipient of a 2005 Astellas USA Foundation Chemistry (ESOC) took place in UCD in July. Award. Prof Murphy presented his results on ESOC 2007 was the largest organic the synthesis of bioactive molecules from chemistry event ever to be held in Ireland, carbohydrate sources and applications in the attracting over 600 national and development of low toxicity drugs. In addition, international scientists to UCD. two oral contributions were given by Professors Declan Gilheany and Stefan Oscarson, both "We are delighted that UCD has been chosen from the UCD School of Chemistry and as host for this intensive feast of world-class Chemical Biology and the CSCB. science" said Dr Philip Nolan, Registrar of UCD, formally opening the symposium. He The Eli Lilly Distinguished Lecture was given commended the efforts of Prof Pat Guiry, by Prof Paul Knochel, Ludwig Maximillians- Director of the Centre for Synthesis and University of Munich, Germany. His lecture was Chemical Biology (CSCB), local organiser of the entitled ‘Functional Mg and Zn Reagents for the symposium. Synthesis of Highly Functionalised Aromatics and Heterocycles’. "The Eli Lilly Distinguished The symposium featured nine plenary, nine Lectureship was established in order to build on invited lectures and 26 oral contributions by links between academia and industry and to The reunion organising committee world-renowned researchers in the field of promote science in Europe," said Dr Sinead organic chemistry. Presentations during the Nolan, Eli Lilly. The very first UCD School of Medicine/MGA Research and graduate of 1977, Prof Desmond five-day conference described the latest Alumni Gala Reunion - celebrating the classes FitzGerald, who presented Images of Research. research in the design of biologically active Close to 400 posters showcased the delegates’ who graduated 60, 50, 40, 30, 25 and 20 years Dr Dom Colbert, graduate of 1957 and based in molecules, the development of novel research and John Grealis from the UCD School ago - was held in May. Organised by Prof NUI Galway, detailed the extraordinary work in techniques for chemical reactions, and of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and the William Powderly, Head of School, together bringing medicine to developing countries in a the creation of catalysts which will lead to CSCB was one of eight poster prize winners. with the Medical Graduates Association and talk entitled 'From Biafra to Bosnia'. Professor more efficient and environmentally viable The programme of social events included a class representatives from each of the Declan Lyons, Professor of Geriatrics at Limerick chemical processes. state reception at Dublin Castle and sightseeing celebrating years, medical graduates from all Regional Hospital, closed the session with a tours. The 16th European Symposium on over the world - some of whom had not seen presentation on ageing - which he termed An invited lecture was given by CSCB principal Organic Chemistry (ESOC 2009) will held in each other for 50 years - reunited to enjoy a ‘A Vascular Phenomenon’. investigator Prof Paul Murphy, UCD School of Prague, Czech Republic on July 12-16, 2009. most memorable weekend in Dublin. Chemistry and Chemical Biology, who was the Commencing with a Gala Dinner on Friday 4 The event was a remarkable success May - graduates from the celebrating classes of and will be repeated in future years. 1947, 1957, 1967, 1977, 1982, 1987 and 1997, It is planned to celebrate the graduates of the together with their partners had the medical classes of 1948, 1958, 1968, 1978, opportunity to reminisce on their days in 1983, 1988 and 1998 with a similar weekend of UCD in style. Many graduates were surprised events on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 May 2008. to find that a photo of themselves taken on Further details are available at entry to medical school graced the evening menu and much fun was had guessing the www.ucd.ie/medicine/alumni/galareunion2008.htm identity of other classmates. The Medical or from Deirdre Brophy at the Graduates Association presented their UCD School of Medicine & Medical Science Annual Distinguished Graduate Award to ([email protected]), Dr Pauline O’Connell. phone 01 716 6648. On Saturday morning 5 May, current students of the UCD School of Medicine took groups of the graduates on guided tours of the new Health Sciences Centre and of the Conway Institute. Graduates explored the new building, examined the new Anatomy museum and were impressed by the new School's facilities. Both Dr Ted Murphy and the current students and graduates from the Dr Pauline O’Connell medical school’s earlier days made comparisons between the former School at Earlsfort Terrace and the new facilities on the Belfield campus, enriching each others experiences with anecdotes and tales of old and new.

Book Launch Following the tours, the North American MGA Annual Scientific Dr Lynda Mulvin, UCD School of Art History meeting brought another dimension and Cultural Policy, recently launched her to the weekend as talks were given book - Roman and Byzantine Antiquities in by UCD graduates from various the National Museum of Ireland - A Select disciplines. Dr Ruth O'Regan, Catalogue (Dublin: National Museum of President of the UCD North Ireland, 2006). The National Museum of American Medical Graduates Ireland's rich and diverse collection of Roman Association and Professor of and Byzantine antiquities was acquired Haematology/Oncology at Emory mainly in the later nineteenth and early University, gave the keynote address twentieth centuries. This catalogue makes on breast cancer. Professor Michael available for the first time a selection of Lee, a graduate of 1982 and some 300 of the finest pieces. Professor of Radiology at the RCSI, It includes sculpture, ceramics, coins, jewellery, spoke on 'Interventional Radiology textiles and architectural fragments as well as in the 21st Century'. Prof Trevor antiquities of bronze, glass and ivory. McGill, a graduate of 1967 and Professor of Otology & Every object is illustrated and the catalogue Laryngology at Harvard Medical also includes a commentary on the history and School, told some 'Surgical significance of the collection. Objects were Stories' and was followed by acquired by donation and by purchase, and UCD’s Vice-President for some came from excavations in Cyprus and Egypt that were sponsored by the Museum.

14 Medical Conferrings & Annual Medical Gala Dinner 2007

Congratulations to the Final Medical Class of Gynaecologist in Kitova Mission Hospital, 2007 who graduated with the Degrees of MB Uganda. Her particular achievement in the BCh BAO in June, following which - at the subsequent 20 years that she has spent in Annual Medical Gala Dinner - a number of Uganda has been pioneering the Obstetric awards were presented to the top students Fistula Repair Programme. Sr Lynch was and teachers. responsible for conducting over a thousand vesico-vaginal fistula repairs between 1993 The School was delighted to confer on Sr and 2007 - an astonishing record that, one can Dr Maura Lynch and Dr Anne Merriman its confidently say will never be bettered. highest award, Honorary Fellowship of the The transformation of African women’s lives School, in recognition of their lifetimes work of achieved as a result of her expertise is extraordinary selfless dedication to bettering incalculable. Her tireless fundraising resulted in the lot of their fellow humans, particularly the building of a unique Obstetric Fistula Unit those who are deprived, ignored, excluded or in Kitovu Hospital which was officially opened who have no voice. in April 2005 and received special recognition by the Ministry of Health in Uganda. Sr Dr Maura Lynch, born in Cork, became a Group Award Winners: Back row (l-r) - Prof Cormac Taylor, Mr David Murphy, Dr John Seery, Middle row (l-r) - member of the Medical Missionaries of Mary in Dr Anne Merriman is internationally recognised Dr Niamh McGrath, Dr Catherine Gibbons, Dr Helen Mohan, Dr Stuart Bund, Dr Koon Meng Chan, Front row (l-r) - 1956 and entered the UCD Medical School in as one of the leading Hospice Movement Dr Mary Higgins, Sr Dr Maura Lynch, Prof William Powderly and Dr Anne Merriman 1958, receiving an honours degree in 1965. pioneers in the world, and the undisputed Just three years after she graduated, she was leader of the Hospice Movement in Africa. terminally ill patients in a country where team had successfully pioneered in Kenya. This assigned to Chiulo Mission Hospital in Angola in Dr Merriman, born in Liverpool, entered UCD oncology treatment was available only for the 'Merriman Model' was the inspiration that was South West Africa where, for the next 17 years, Medical School in 1957 and graduated in 1963. privileged few. Dame Cecily Saunders, the to drive the development of affordable and she shared the entire work of the 200 bed She completed her training in Geriatric legendary foundress of the International locally accessible services for the African hospital with just one other medical Sister. Medicine and became Head of the Dept of Hospice Movement, asked her to publish her subcontinent in the ensuing decade. The driving 20 years after graduation, driven by the Geriatric Medicine, while nursing her views on palliative care in Africa. As a result, motivation behind all of this for Anne Merriman suffering and need of others, Sr Lynch returned incapacitated mother. She was invited to be the Dr Merriman received numerous invitations is her passionate commitment to bringing to Ireland and completed two highly intense first Medical Director of the Nairobi Hospice in from a variety of African countries requesting affordable and culturally appropriate palliative years of surgical training. In 1987 she took up Kenya, which opened in1990. It was while there her to assist in setting up palliative care care to all of Africa. duty as Consultant Surgeon/Obstetrician that she realised the terrible suffering of services along the lines of the model that her Asian euro not advisable, says Nobel economist Although they are not in a position to create Speaking at the inaugural conference of the According to Mundell, the main factors “I would like to especially thank and an ‘Asian euro’, China, Japan and other Asian UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland on 18 responsible for the success of the Chinese congratulate the Organising and Scientific countries should fix their currencies to each August, Professor Mundell, who is often referred economy were the availability of a large, able Committee for the excellent work they other and the US dollar, according to Nobel to as the ‘father of the euro’, said that China workforce; an enthusiasm for new technology; a undertook to establish this very significant and Prize winning economist Professor Robert should not revalue its currency for risk of stable exchange rate; high savings and a desire important event,” said An Taoiseach, Bertie Mundell. negating its recent economic strides. to progress and learn. Ahern TD, in a letter to the conference He explained that the rise of the Chinese But the Chinese economy faces some major organiser. economy since the 1990s was a ‘competitive challenges, warns Mundell. In the short term, shock’ to the global economy. “This has led to the most pressing is macroeconomic The conference was officially opened by the an increasing resistance in the West to trade management, including exchange rate policy. In Minister for Integration, Conor Lenihan TD. with China, and the adoption of some the intermediate term, pollution, environmental Speakers at the conference included the protectionist tendencies such as the quota on damage, rural poverty and massive migration to Chinese Ambassador, Mr Zhang Xinseng; Chinese textiles,” he said. urban centres will have to be managed. And in Professor Yao Jingyuan, Chief Economist of the longer term, it will face a demographic/ Prof Robert Mundell aging crisis that is the counterpart of its National Bureau of Statistics of China; Professor shares his expertise with population control measures. Gregory C. Chow, author of ‘The Chinese the next generation. Economy’ and adviser to the Chinese Prime ‘Rising China in the Age of Globalisation,’ the Minister and the State Commission for International Conference hosted by the UCD restructuring the country's economic system; Confucius Institute for Ireland examined the Professor Canrong Jin, Deputy Dean of School latest economic, cultural, social and political developments in China. With over 130 high of International Studies, Renmin University, level delegates from more than 13 countries in China; Dr Philip Nolan, Deputy President and attendance, the conference was the largest Vice-President for Academic Affairs, UCD; and gathering in Ireland of parties interested in Dr Liming Wang, Director, UCD Confucius the current Chinese economic developments. Institute for Ireland. Art on the DART The winners of the UCD Conway Institute’s Dylan Kavanagh, a 5th class pupil in De La Salle, AccesScience ‘07 poster competition were in Ballyfermot took first place in the primary Pearce Street DART station recently to see school category with his poster ‘Science is the launch of this year’s Science Track, a Cool’. Isabel Kelly, a pupil at the Teresian School joint initiative between UCD Conway in Donnybrook won the secondary school Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical category with her poster ‘Colour life with Research and Iarnrod Eireann. Science.’ Kate Hedigan, a postgraduate student in UCD Conway Institute took first place in the Winners of this competition to visually adult category with her work entitled ‘Looking represent 21st century science will see their Deeper: 21st Century Science.’ artwork displayed in DART stations and on trains as part of the initiative. With three Commuters can see the winning posters for categories; primary school, secondary school themselves over the coming weeks on DART and adult, the standard in this year's event was trains and at stations as well as some Arrow extremely high. The tough task of picking the commuter trains. These poster sites allow access winners fell to a judging panel chaired by to an audience of over 100,000 commuters per Olympic medallist, John Treacy, and also day and are an ideal opportunity to highlight included RTE weather presenter, Nuala Carey; scientific issues to a diverse audience and singer/ songwriter Juliet Turner and Nick Kelly, encourage a positive attitude to scientific Pictured with DART train driver and their Science Track posters are Dylan Kavanagh (front) former lead singer with The Fat Lady Sings. research. with runners-up Conor Burns and Eimear Kelly.

15 Appointment of Programme Deans The President recently announced the appointment of Programme Deans, The Deans will form a critical governance and management link between who will work with colleagues across the university to enhance the Schools, Undergraduate Programmes and Graduate Schools, so that students planning, development and delivery of our undergraduate programmes. can avail of a unique set of increasingly flexible learning pathways at UCD. They will be responsible for the academic governance and effective These appointments will ensure that we make the most of the opportunities delivery of programmes, and the quality of the holistic education arising within the modular curriculum, UCD Horizons and foster our national experience for students. and international reputation for a high quality student experience.

Dr Joe Brady Dr Michelle Butler Dean of Arts Dean of Nursing

Dr Joe Brady has been a member of the (Midwifery and academic staff of UCD School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy since 1988. He is an urban geographer with Health Systems) wide-ranging interests. These are currently focused on the theory and application of Dr Michelle Butler takes up the appointment utopian city planning and on the study of of Programme Dean and Head of the UCD the growth and development of Dublin. School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health His interest in Dublin has led him, in Systems from Prof Gerard Fealy who was Dr Brady is also deeply involved in the activities programme in midwifery and the development collaboration with his former colleague Programme Dean from 1 April to 30 Anngret Simms, to publish a series of books of the university. He is a member of the of clinical assessment in midwifery. She has also September 2007. Michelle qualified as a entitled The Making of Dublin City. The Academic Council and serves on the Governing played an important role in the development of intention is to study the development of the Authority and a wide variety of other bodies Registered General Nurse and a Registered the School's research agenda and has been city from the earliest times to the present day and committees. He is a member of the Midwife before pursuing a BSc in Health involved in several studies of national Scientific Council of Urban Institute Ireland, an importance for nursing and midwifery. from a geographical perspective. Sciences and an MSc in Health Studies at interdisciplinary and inter-institutional research Coventry University, which she completed in A member of the Geographical Society of institute recently established in the university. Dr Butler sees this appointment as a very Ireland since 1975, he has been a committee 1993. In 2001 she obtained a PhD from the significant development for nursing and member since 1978, serving in a variety of Dr Brady told UCD today: “Teaching is an University of Nottingham with a study of midwifery at UCD and in Ireland more important part of my academic profile and my generally, in that it affirms the place of nursing posts. He is currently editor of the peer- competence and professional learning in intention is to develop the resources available and midwifery as independent academic reviewed and internationally recognised journal, midwifery. Before joining UCD in 2001, she Irish Geography, the only journal to focus to students via the web. Currently these are disciplines within higher education in Ireland. gained considerable experience in evaluation exclusively on the geography of Ireland. concentrated on my first and third year urban She told UCD today: “The institution of a Dean geography courses but this will be expanded in and management research. Her particular of Nursing provides a strong framework for due course.” research expertise is in evaluation research, enhancing the quality of academic programmes offered, and also affirms UCD’s ongoing case study and qualitative methods. She commitment to the development of nursing, Professor lectures on advanced research methods and midwifery and health systems at the university, health policy and planning. as part of its wider remit to provide leadership in education and research in health care in Cecily Kelleher At UCD, Dr Butler played an important role in Ireland and internationally.” Chair of the Public the establishment of the BSc (honours) Health, Physiotherapy Professor and Population Grace Mulcahy Science Dean of Veterinary Programme Board Gain 1999-2007. She has been involved in Medicine numerous adult education, undergraduate and postgraduate university course development Professor Cecily Kelleher qualified in medicine Prof Grace Mulcahy graduated with a degree initiatives, including Ireland’s first master’s in UCD in 1980. She trained in both internal in veterinary medicine (MVB) from UCD in programme in Health Promotion. Most recently medicine and public health medicine and was 1982. She subsequently obtained a PhD in UCD she headed up the inter-disciplinary senior research scientist with the Medical from UCD in ruminant immunology. group that developed a new thematic PhD Research Council Epidemiology and Medical programme, PERMIT, Promoting Epidemiological Prof Mulcahy spent some time in veterinary Care Unit in the United Kingdom and as a Foundation Diplomate of the European and Research Methodologies in Irish Training. practice before returning to undertake her PhD. Foundation chair in Health Promotion at NUI Veterinary Parasitology College in 2005, She has chaired a number of examination and She spent five years as a veterinary research Galway before being appointed to the chair in in recognition of teaching and research in course boards previously and is also chair to the officer at the Institute for Animal Health, Public Health Medicine and Epidemiology in Veterinary Parasitology statutory body for Women’s Health, which Pirbright Laboratory, where she worked on 2003. She now heads UCD’s School of Public advises the Minister for Health and Children host-responses to foot and mouth disease virus Prof Mulcahy told UCD today: “Veterinary Health and Population Science, the first such and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety. for five years. She returned to UCD to take up medicine forms a unique bridge between the school in Ireland. Prof Kelleher is an active an appointment as lecturer in Veterinary basic biological sciences, medicine, and researcher in the areas of cardiovascular Prof Kelleher told UCD today: “The Parasitology in 1991, and has since built up a agriculture. UCD provides the only university epidemiology, life-course health inequalities establishment of this board reflects the research group working on host-parasite course in veterinary medicine on the island of and public health nutrition. growing strengths of UCD in the disciplines responses to helminths and protozoa. Ireland, and we are proud of the contribution associated with Population and Performance our graduates make in a whole host of careers She has been director of the National Nutrition Sciences, building on a tradition of training in She was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1996 including private veterinary practice, Surveillance Centre since 1991 and was Physiotherapy and Public Health that is and appointed to the Chair in Veterinary government service, biomedical research and principal investigator of the Health Research internationally recognised.” Microbiology and Parasitology in 2004. She was industry. I am looking forward to the challenge Board funded Unit for Health Status and Health awarded the Centenary Medal of the British of continuing to develop veterinary medicine at Veterinary Association in 1991 for work on UCD and achieving the standards of excellence foot and mouth disease and has over 70 required to ensure our students receive a peer-reviewed publications. She was appointed world-class education.”

16 Mr Jim Murphy Dr Bairbre Redmond Dean of Architecture Dean of Social Science

Jim Murphy graduated from UCD with a Dr Redmond is a graduate of UCD’s Bachelor BArch in 1967 and attained his MSArch from of Social Science degree and went on to train IIT Chicago in 1970. He joined the academic and practice as a social worker in the area of staff of UCD in 1972, having spent a number intellectual disability. She has a particular of years in private practice, and is currently a research interest in the impact on parents of lecturer in the School of Architecture, having a child with a disability. She was Landscape and Civil Engineering. Director of Social Work Training in UCD from 2001-2003. Mr Murphy is programme co-ordinator of the BSc (Architectural Science) course at UCD and Dr Redmond was one of the inaugural winners has been involved in the setting up and His research interests include architectural of the President's Teaching Award in 1997 and implementation of modularisation and development of the BSc (Architectural Science) design, housing and architectural practice. she has been involved in a number of high-level semesterisation in both the BSocSc and the BA. and BArch courses at CESUGA, La Coruna, Spain. teaching and learning initiatives across the She is currently leading a re-design of the Mr Murphy told UCD today: “Architecture and This has involved developing and monitoring an university. Her current research interests are in BSocSc to emphasise its study and career Landscape Architecture have a unique architectural course to meet the UCD standards the areas of reflective teaching methodologies opportunities to prospective students. contribution to make to teaching and learning for architectural education while also complying and in the impact of teaching approaches on Marketing for this programme is already in UCD through the encouragement of with Spanish Government regulations in this the practice of health and social service underway and the re-designed Social Science creativity and design in the teaching area. The first BSc (Architectural Science) professionals. She is currently carrying out a programme will start in September 2008. methodology of the design studio. I hope to graduates there will be conferred in November HSE-funded longitudinal study into the factors raise the profile of these two disciplines within “I am honoured to take up the role as Dean of of this year. impacting on social work job satisfaction and the university and externally with the Social Science and to expand the learning job retention. Dr Redmond is also one of the professions and the public.” opportunities of the degree by drawing on a directors of the new UCD Fellowships in range of complementary disciplines in the Teaching and Academic Development. College of Human Sciences. The Social Science Professor Since 2005, Dr Redmond has been Vice-Principal degree is also very well placed to develop new for Teaching and Learning in the College of progression routes and new part-time study Human Sciences, where she has worked closely plans to respond to the changing demographics Mark Rogers with schools on the development and of Ireland's student population”. Dean of Science Prof Rogers graduated from TCD with an Professor Jim Phelan honours degree in Genetics in 1983 and was awarded a PhD in Genetics from the University of Glasgow in 1986. With a Dean of Agricultural Fellowship from EMBO and subsequently, the John Douglas French Foundation for Science Alzheimer’s Research, Prof Rogers undertook Prof Phelan graduated from UCD with an research in the Laboratory of Nobel Laureate out in UCD as part of this venture by Prof honours and master's degree in Agricultural Prof Stanley Prusiner in prion diseases Rogers led to the licensing of immunodiagnostic Science. He completed his research PhD in before returning to Ireland in 1991 to take technologies that have been employed in BSE UCD in 1987. He joined the academic staff up a lectureship in UCD. € diagnosis and resulted in over 2 million in of UCD and lectured in Rural Development royalties accruing to the university. Prof Rogers has maintained his research there from 1982 and was appointed Head of Department of Agribusiness, Extension and interests in prion diseases, co-ordinating several Prof Rogers told UCD today: “I view the role of Rural Development from 1995 until 2003, European projects in this area. He has published Agriculture and the National Anti-Poverty Dean of Science as presenting an exciting and when he was appointed Associate Prof there. many research papers that are cited in important opportunity to ensure that the Strategy Group. prestigious journals. science degree in UCD remains recognised Prof Phelan has a wide experience of Prof Phelan told UCD today: “The Dean is the nationally and internationally for the quality of collaborative working with other universities focal point for ensuring that the student In 1993, Prof Rogers became a founding board the graduates it delivers into further education and worked as a short-term extension specialist member of Pharmapro Ltd, a joint venture experience is of the highest quality and and to the economy. Interest in science as a to EU-supported projects in Russia, Hungary, provides the academic interface between established between UCD and the UK firm subject at second level is declining. This places Poland and the Ukraine. He is past president of Proteus Molecular Design Ltd, now called students, schools, the industry and the great pressure on us in the university sector to a number of national agricultural associations university central administration. He or she is Protherics plc to research the development recruit and produce skilled science graduates and a member of the Ireland Aid Task Force on the public face of the academic programmes.” of a commercial diagnostic tests and vaccines that will be required in the future if we are to for economically important animal diseases achieve and sustain a knowledge-based including bovine TB and BSE. Research carried economy.” Dr David Timoney Professor Dean of Engineering Dr Timoney graduated from UCD with BE Bill Powderly and MEngSc degrees and completed his PhD there in 1985. He was appointed Associate Dean of Medicine Dean (Communications, Development and Alumni Relations), Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, 2004-2005 and Head of Prof Bill Powderly is Head of the School of Teaching and Learning, School of Electrical, Medicine and Medical Science at UCD. He Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, received his MB, BCh, BAO from UCD in 1979 2005-2007. and his MD in 1987. He is Professor of Dr Timoney told UCD today: “Engineering Medicine and Therapeutics at UCD and the Following a four-year period working on education in Ireland is about to change Mater University Hospital. Until July 2004, internal combustion engine research at Ricardo significantly. The 4-stage BE degree programme he was Professor of Medicine at Washington Consulting Engineers plc in the UK, Dr Timoney His own research originally focused on has a long and distinguished record but Engineers University School of Medicine in St. Louis, joined the UCD academic staff in 1981. infections, especially fungal infections, in Ireland have recently decided that future Missouri where he was chief of the Division patients with AIDS and cancer. More recently, His research interests are in combustion and Chartered Engineers will need to complete a of Infectious Diseases. he and his group have concentrated on the pollutant formation in internal combustion five-year accredited master's level degree. This leaves us with some urgent and important Prof Powderly has been actively involved in emerging toxicities of treatment of HIV, engines, alternative fuels, energy use in transportation, and heat transfer in refrigeration decisions as to how to adapt and how to HIV-related clinical research for the last twenty especially the metabolic complications seen in systems. He established the UCD Energy resource the additional programme time. years and while in the USA held many patients receiving effective therapy, including Conversion Research Centre and has acted leadership roles in the US Adult AIDS Clinical the development of diabetes, lipid as its director since 1987. We are relatively well prepared, having already Trials Group, including vice-chair of the Group abnormalities, and bone disease. launched two different 3-stage BSc programmes and chair of its Scientific Steering Committee. and planned a wide range of specialised 2-stage He is a Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society Dr Timoney is a Fellow of The Institution of He was a member of numerous advisory groups Master of Engineering (ME) programmes. of America, of the Royal College of Physicians of Engineers of Ireland and a member of the for the National Institutes of Health and the Society of Automotive Engineers, USA. Through these, we will be able to provide a first Ireland and of the American Association for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in class professional engineering education to the Advancement of Science. the USA. He was also the first Chairman of the many excellent students who gain admission to HIV Medicine Association in the USA. our programmes.”

17 Children playing at the new orphanage playground in Delhi with UCD student Maurice Deasy. The staff and student group in Nicaragua.

with various parties established that the people dawned the place was ready for the official of Santa Isobel and surrounding villages would opening. Only a few small tasks remained 80 students and staff benefit greatly from the provision of a medical which have since been completed.” centre. Having received reassurances from The charity also funded the provision of a new the provincial health service that they would well and the refurbishment of the local church provide the relevant medical personnel, Volunteer Overseas which the students undertook along with the it just remained for the UCD volunteers to building of the medical centre. These students ‘get stuck in’! UCD Volunteers Overseas was established to challenge for students and local people is to may not have been academically challenged offer students the opportunity to engage in learn a mutual respect and understanding of Fr Coote told UCD today: “We worked with a while volunteering in Nicaragua but they voluntary work targeted at community each other’s cultural identities maintaining the local contractor and his team. The villagers were achieved A grades for hard work, co-operation, projects in the developing world. Now in its hope that we can alleviate some of the causes amazed at how hard our team worked, always commitment and communication; very valuable fifth year, it has grown from one project in of disadvantage. looking out for jobs to complete and skills that will complement their academic Delhi in 2003 to three projects in India, Haiti On 24 June, 20 students and two UCD staff anticipating the needs of the more experienced achievements. and Nicaragua this year. Eighty UCD students workers. Some students became very adept at members set off for Nicaragua in Central In Haiti a country that has been isolated from and staff volunteered this summer. They block laying, their efforts having been vetted by America on the first volunteer trip to this most of the world for years UCDVO returned to financed their own travel expenses and our young Irish builder Steven who volunteered country. The destination was Santa Isobel, the town of Gros Morne where a group of 30 secured significant funding towards the his time to the project and proved key to its a small village outside the market town of renovated a local school, worked on a water projects they worked on. The remainder of successful conclusion. Even Don Tecero, the Somoto in the Northern Province of Madriz distribution project, built a road and ran a the funding was achieved through contractor, was very sceptical initially that this very close to the border with Honduras. sports camp for 300 young children. In Delhi sponsorship, donations and a variety of project could be completed in 30 days but he Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries on along with the projects that the charity has fundraising events. too became infected by the energy of the the planet with 80% of its 5m population supported over the last five years students students and pushed his men to their limits in Central to the work of the charity is the belief earning approximately $60 per month. designed and built a playground at an that students benefit greatly by volunteering helping us achieve our goal. Our final days from Fr Tony Coote who led the group had paid two orphanage. their time and energy in these projects. The dawn ‘til dark were filled with tiling, grouting, previous visits to Nicaragua and in discussions painting and cleaning so that when 24 July

Nobel Laureate in ‘Green Visitors from USF In mid-June, the UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems played host to a group of fifteen undergraduate nursing students from the University of San Francisco (USF). The Chemistry’ receives UCD students were accompanied by faculty member Professor Mary Lou De Natale, a researcher in aged care and a senior care commissioner for Santa Clara County, CA. The visitors attended a week-long programme of lecturers, seminars and site visits. The lectures and seminars focussed on the development of health and professional training policy and practice in Ireland, the current Ulysses Medal challenges in health service provision, and the nursing, midwifery and health systems research that is currently being conducted at the School. US Nobel Laureate Professor Robert H. recognised as a great step forward for ‘green Grubbs, whose work has led to more chemistry,’ reducing potentially hazardous The group undertook site visits to St Vincent's University Hospital, Our Lady's Children’s Hospital, Our efficient and more environmentally friendly waste through smarter productions. Lady's Hospice, and the National Maternity Hospital. The group also travelled to St Angela's College chemical synthesis methods, has been Sligo, where they completed a week of clinical placement at Sligo General Hospital. presented with the UCD Ulysses Medal. The UCD Ulysses Medal is the highest Professor Grubbs visited UCD to attend the academic accolade that University College 15th European Symposium on Organic Dublin can bestow. Previous recipients include Chemistry (ESOC 2007) in July. founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, Professor Klaus Schwab; In 2005, alongside Richard R. Schrock and Yves Nobel economist, Professor James J Heckman; Chauvin, Professor Grubbs was awarded the Nobel laureate, Dr Philip Sharp; Irish Author, Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development Edna O’Brien; and US Philosopher, Professor of a synthetic method known as metathesis - Hilary Putnam. the swapping of atoms between molecules to create new substances. "It is a great honour to present the sixth UCD Ulysses Medal to Professor Bob Grubbs,” said The process has become one of the most Professor Des Fitzgerald, Vice-President for important reactions in organic chemistry. Research at UCD. “His work has had a major It is used in the creation of new drugs to fight impact on synthetic chemistry and has Dr Gerard Fealy (centre front) and Isabel Hidalgo (back row, far right) from the UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery diseases such as cancer and AIDS, and also in enormous potential applications in medicine and Health Systems, pictured with their guests from USF. the development of new fuels. His work is and the polymer industry." During his Ulysses Medal lecture entitled Appointment for UCD ‘Olefin Catalysis for the Synthesis of Large and Small Molecules’, Professor Grubbs, California Institute of Technology, outlined current applications of his catalysts including the Academic replacement of petroleum based chemicals with those from renewable resources including seed Dr Crystal Fulton, UCD School of Information & Library Studies, has been appointed Chair of oil and the use of his methodology in medicine. SIGUSE, the Special Interest Group on Information Needs, Seeking and Use, for 2008-2009. SIGUSE is a chapter of the American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T), "We are hugely privileged to have Prof Grubbs http://iats-coe1.missouri.edu/~siguse/index.php. deliver a paper at the ESOC in Dublin,” SIGUSE promotes research in human information-related behaviour and information services and said Prof Pat Guiry, Director of the meets annually at the autumn ASIS&T conference. The theme for this year’s Research Symposium at Centre for Synthesis and Chemical ASIS&T is Mobility and Social Networks in Information Behaviour. Biology (CSCB). “His seminal contributions and those of his Dr Fulton’s research explores information behaviour in everyday life settings, including the workplace, group have shaped the way that and she has been invited to share her work at various EU conferences. Her research into the modern chemistry is carried out.” information worlds of people engaged in serious leisure (eg amateur genealogy, lace-making) explores the information worlds developed through leisure participation and the connections between a chosen hobby, community development, information literacy, and social inclusion. The current Chair of SIGUSE is Dr Heidi Julien, University of Alberta, Canada, and the incoming Chair for 2007-2008 is Dr Olof Sundin, Lund University, Sweden.

18 joyce Pictured at the Joyce Summer School held at UCD in July are (l-r): Prof Sean Latham, Dr Luca Crispi, Prof Anne Fogarty, Dr Fritz Senn, Dr Sam Slote, Dr Christine O'Neill and Dr Dirk van Hulle. UCD – the number one centre for Joycean studies in the world Joyce in English? Hard. Very hard. Joyce in Japanese! Now there’s a thought. Conall Ó Móráin talks to Professor Anne Fogarty about Joyce and the rise of Joycean studies.

I was sitting in Anne Fogarty’s room in the It's rare in academic circles that a Chair is figure who, literally broke the mould of English copyright in 2012 (copyright is held by Arts Block talking to her about her named after the subject of study (normally a literature. According to Dr Fogarty, “Students grandson Stephen Joyce at present) and there appointment last autumn as UCD Professor generous benefactor gets that honour) so it's from all over the world can and do come to are some really big events planned for then. of Joyce Studies and I was scanning the fitting for James Joyce's legendary status that study the man here in his native Dublin. We The ending of copyright, which has been too thousand or so books that surround her, UCD chose to name it after the man who is the have about a hundred students with us at the closely guarded in my view, will allow the world when I noticed four small volumes with exotic subject of academic analysis and doctoral moment from the United States with another full access, at last, to the final bits of the jigsaw, scripting on the spine. “Joyce in Japanese”, dissertation. And of course analysis is the hundred or so from the Erasmus exchange letters and manuscripts, that will give us a she told me, “He's really huge right around essence of the UCD endowed Chair of Joyce programme with European countries.” much fuller picture of the man and his work. the world. In fact we have two Joyce scholars Studies. Professor Fogarty says, “You have got My own plan for 2012 is, by then, to have made with us at the moment, one Chinese, one to keep reading and re-reading Joyce. Anyone There's been a long history of courses on Joyce UCD the number one centre for Joycean studies Japanese, both of them English Literature who says that he or she fully understands Joyce in UCD. In the 1980’s Gus Martin led the way in the world. By the way, if there are any Joyce Professors and I'm off to a Joyce conference in is missing the point. Joyce is so complicated, when he established the Joyce Summer Schools lovers out there with a million euro to spare I Beijing towards the end of the year.” there’s layer upon layer in his writings - all that are still thriving. Later Declan Kiberd and can find a very good and worthwhile research deliberately contrived by him in a way to show Séamus Deane continued with their scholarship home for your money!” Most of us know that James Joyce, UCD off but also, undoubtedly, to entertain and and teaching and of course the university got a graduate (class of 1902), is a worldwide literary fascinate. He set out to make his works huge boost when Constantine Curran, friend Once, when asked why Finnegans Wake was phenomenon but it's only while chatting with deliberately challenging. He’s full of and biographer of Joyce, handed his huge written in a very difficult style, Joyce replied: Professor Fogarty that you get an idea of how contradictions. For example he was condemned collection of Joycean papers to the College in "To keep the critics busy for three hundred highly regarded he is. There are centres of for being anti (Catholic) church but his works the 1980’s. Now, the establishment of the Chair years." On that basis the Chair of Joyce Studies Joycean study across the United States, in the are full of liturgical references and he was a means co-ordinating the many courses available will be busy for the next two hundred and UK, Zurich and Antwerp. You can find Joyce regular attendee at church services.” to undergraduates, expanding the number of thirty two years! reading circles anywhere from New York to those courses (where there's an ever increasing Tokyo and as mentioned, 66 years after his Vegetarian Dr Fogarty is no fan of Leopold interest), the development of research projects Conall Ó Móráin (BA 1979) is a broadcaster with death with his books still selling exceptionally Bloom's traditional breakfast of offal and through doctoral research. Professor Fogarty Today FM's Sunday Business Show. well worldwide, they're having conferences mutton kidneys but equally she has no time for said, “Joyce's work finally comes out of about him in China. He is a source of the Joycean snobs who, not content that his fascination for anyone who loves literature and works are difficult enough to study, try to put according to Fogarty; in English language fiction another obstacle in the way by looking down she rates Joyce, quite simply, as number one in their noses at the annual Bloomsday Prof Anne Fogarty and Dr Fritz Senn enjoying the world. celebrations. She loves Bloomsday as it keeps a break from the her hero in the public eye and she says that one Summer School. Joyce is quoted as having said, “The only of the hidden benefits of her Professorship is demand I make of my reader is that he (sic) that she is invited to Bloomsday celebrations should devote his whole life to reading my around the world - and of course she is works." And many do. Anne Fogarty, who got delighted to represent the college and the her PhD from UCC, has spent fifteen years nation at what is becoming a literary lecturing in UCD and she does as Joyce St. Patrick’s Day. asked - discussing, studying, analysing and talking with infectious enthusiasm about his For those of you who, like myself, struggled our works, almost every day of her life. “I was at a way to an average BA but believed we would be seminar recently where we were discussing the late bloomers like Einstein, who allegedly didn’t relevance and the origin of the date of shine in school, well we can now also cite Joyce. Bloomsday, 16 June 1904. It may not have According to Professor Fogarty, “He probably been, as many assume, the actual date that he wouldn't have survived in today's UCD! Believe (Joyce) met his lover and wife-to-be, Nora it or not he failed English, of all things, in Barnacle. In fact, that is a convenient myth put second year. I joke of course, as the man was an forward by a publisher to explain it. What we absolute genius and in a way I think he was know is that Joyce and Nora met in or around bored and probably wasn't intellectually that day. Did you know that Joyce actually challenged. At this time, as an undergraduate, missed his (real) first date with Nora? There’s a he was giving talks to the L&H on Ibsen and lively international discussion at the moment James Clarence Mangan and devouring French about how Jewish Leopold Bloom actually was. and Italian literature in the original. However, It's one of the great things about Joyce. luckily he did graduate with a BA in English, Someone always has a new angle on him. French and Italian literature as it would have There are quite a number of manuscripts for say been a bit embarrassing if the college was Ulysses and there are constant arguments as to (in)famous for having kicked out the world's what the definitive version is.” greatest writer in English.”

So, yes, you could spend your whole life reading The Chair of Joyce Studies was established to and arguing about Joyce. meet the worldwide interest in the College's, and arguably the world's, most famous literary

19 Reminiscing at the Living History Exhibition UCD bids Farewell to the Terrace

In May, UCD marked its departure from its The events began with a Concert of Music and To complete the series of events, a essays on the history and architecture, student buildings in Earlsfort Terrace with a series of Literature at the National Concert Hall on 17 commemorative liturgy was celebrated by life, sporting achievements and personal celebrations that saw some 5,000 graduates May, at which Maeve Binchy was presented Fr John McNerney at University Church, reminiscences of UCD’s 124 years in Earlsfort and friends of UCD passing through the with the UCD Foundation Day Medal. The Stephen's Green on Sunday 20 May. Terrace. Copies are available from UCD doors for a final farewell. evening included readings from James Joyce, Communications, Tierney Building, UCD, Flann O'Brien, Maeve Binchy and Kate O'Brien, UCD's buildings at Earlsfort Terrace will soon Belfield, Dublin 4, price €48 (incl p & p). The events, which took place 17 - 20 May, by Joseph O'Connor, Thomas Kilroy, Marie transfer to the Office of Public Works for major were the fruits of a concerted effort that Heaney and Frank McGuinness. The audience redevelopment as a multi-purpose venue. The More information about the events, the involved the talents of colleagues from all also enjoyed a special musical performance by remaining Medicine and Engineering students exhibition, the commemorative book and around the university, and the generous support John O'Conor and a rousing closing rendition of and staff are now taking up their new facilities the Irish Times supplement that was published of many UCD alumni and friends. Valuable Gaudeamus Igitur, arranged by Choral Scholar on the Belfield campus. in to mark the event, are accessible at guidance came from academic experts from artistic director, Desmond Earley. www.ucd.ie/farewelltotheterrace numerous UCD Schools. Professional support The 'Living History' exhibition, which was on hand from the teams in Buildings & The following evening, several hundred retired documents Irish and UCD history, is currently Services, Archives, Library and from a great staff who worked at Earlsfort Terrace over the on temporary display in the foyer of the number of administrative staff across the years attended a special celebration. Later the Newman Building and will university. Indeed the celebrations were only same evening, the L&H hosted a debate where afterwards move to a made possible by the enthusiasm and hard current student members pitted themselves permanent home on the work of a huge number of people. against former members, such as Prof Finbarr Belfield campus. McAuley, Ruairi Quinn and Charles Lysaght, on All throughout the events, a spirit of the motion that 'Youth is wasted on the young'. A commemorative book, enthusiasm prevailed. Messages of support 'Farewell to the Terrace', came from all over the world, and graduates On the Saturday, almost 3,000 alumni who was published with sent letters of reminiscences and good wishes studied at the Terrace, and their families and from as far away as Buenos Aires and Borneo! friends, attended an afternoon of music, The Terrace Graduates fund, which was exhibitions, tours and talks at Earlsfort Terrace, launched following the events to fund the Newman House and the Iveagh Gardens. restoration of the Kevin Barry window, has also met with great success.

Ruairi Quinn TD takes a break Maeve Binchy with her husband, from debating at the L&H Gordon Snell after receiving the UCD Foundation Day medal.

20 National policy debate Staff and students to on the future of Irish perform West Side Story broadband at UCD

Prof Paddy Nixon, Professor of Distributed taken in other countries. Speakers included In an innovative project to increase Systems, UCD School of Computer Science KPN's John Quist who spoke about NGN camaraderie and co-operation between UCD and Informatics chaired a recent policy- deployment in the Netherlands and Jaroslaw students and staff, a team of volunteers focused debate on Irish broadband which Ponder, Policy Analyst and manager of projects from around the campus have come took place in Dublin. The outcome of the at the Strategy and Policy Unit at the together to stage the inaugural UCD debate, ‘Ireland’s Broadband Future: Policy International Telecommunications Union Community Musical. The show, West Side for the Next Generation’, will inform Forfás’ (SPU/ITU). Prof Peter Cochrane, Story, will be performed in O'Reilly Hall on ongoing review of Ireland's long term Telecommunications Futurist discussed Future Valentine's Week 2008. broadband needs and implementation Broadband Trends and Implications. Dr Eoin requirements. Forfás is Ireland’s national Gahan of Forfás looked at policy options for the The show will be directed by Aoife Brady, and policy and advisory board for enterprise, next generation. Student Adviser Anna Farrell is the producer. trade, science, technology and innovation. Speaking about the musical, Anna said, “West It operates under the auspices of the “Other countries are moving ahead,” said Side Story is a big show that offers lots of Department of Enterprise, Trade and Minister Dempsey. “We have to act smarter opportunities to get involved - singing, Employment. and faster if we are to have a state-of-the-art dancing, set-building or even selling tickets. It telecommunications infrastructure in place in is a beautiful love story, with sophisticated The debate which was officially opened by this country to continue on the path of music, great dance scenes and with some the Minister for Communications Marine and economic and social prosperity.” thought-provoking themes about social Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey TD and problems. It's a fitting choice for a project that Martin Cronin, CEO, Forfás, was attended by “The output of the debate will be used to drive aims to facilitate community building here at the next stage of government policy on this national policymakers from the UCD. Already, we've been really pleased with The production team is comprised of students area,” said Prof Nixon. The National Advisory communications industry and enterprise. the support we've had from individual students and staff from around UCD, under the Forum on Telecommunications announced by and staff, and also organisations like the leadership of Martin Butler, Vice-President for At the event a number of international speakers the Minister earlier this year will examine the Student's Union, DramSoc, Photosoc, Filmsoc Students. For further information and updates outlined developments in Next Generation outcome of the debate. This forum is due to and even the Trampoline Club!” on ways of getting involved, visit Networks (NGNs) and the policy approaches report on best next steps by the end of 2007. www.ucd.ie/musical

Viking Warship arrives in Dublin after almost 1,000 years

In 1962, archaeologists excavated five Viking that Skuldelev 2 had been an ocean-going ships from the bottom of the Roskilde Fjord warship that had been built in Viking Dublin in Denmark outside the village of Skuldelev. around the year 1042. Archaeologists believe Since then, the team at the Viking Ships that the original Skuldelev 2 may have played a Museum in Roskilde have been working on part in the diplomatic crisis following the Battle recording, preserving and analysing the of Hastings in 1066 when the Danes lost remains of these five vessels, enabling the supremacy in England. The battle marked the museums boat builders to reconstruct exact end of the Viking Age. replicas of each of the ships. On 1 July 2007, 965 years after the original ship The largest of the five wrecks, known was built, a crew of 65 set sail from Roskilde in as Skuldelev 2, was the last of the Denmark to Northern Scotland, the half-way ships to be reconstructed. point on a voyage of 1,000 nautical miles from When the timbers were Denmark to Dublin. On the Isle of Skye, the ship analysed, it was found was joined by crewmember Triona Nicholl, a PhD student in the School of Archaeology here The original Viking Warship was constructed House Dock and the National Museum of at UCD. using mighty oak trees from Ireland's ancient Ireland to celebrate the safe arrival. The Triona has been in training for the voyage forests in the Dublin/Wicklow Mountains. The reconstructed Viking Warship is on public view for the last two years. No-one has Skuldelev 2 was reconstructed over the course at the National Museum of Ireland at Collins manned a ship like this for more than of four years using the same materials and Barracks where it will over-winter before sailing 900 years. “This is the largest techniques that were used to build the original. back to Denmark in 2008. An exhibition experimental archaeological event tracking the voyage is currently taking place at The complete reconstruction was unveiled ever witnessed,” says Triona. “Most of the Barracks to coincide with the ship’s visit. on 4 September 2004 by Her Royal Highness the crew members are volunteers. Queen Margrethe who christened the ship They have been selected by the Viking ‘Havhingsten fra Glendalough’ (the Sea Stallion Ship Museum in Denmark on the from Glendalough). basis of seamanship, commitment, physical condition and special The voyage took seven weeks in total, taking in competencies.” numerous landfalls around the Norwegian and Scottish coasts. Despite some heavy seas, Measuring 30m in length, the vessel is particularly in the Irish Sea area and the North the largest reconstructed Viking Channel, the ship performed excellently and Warship in the world. Built for speed both the ship and crew arrived safe and well at and for carrying as many people as Port Oriel in Co Louth in mid-August before possible over the open sea and waters making their way down the Irish coast for the with strong currents, the Skuldelev 2 official welcoming ceremony in Dublin. A week represents the absolute pinnacle of of activities and events took place at Custom Viking shipbuilding technology.

21 New Research Portal provides centralised online service for researchers to update their full professional profile

As part of UCD’s investment in its technical ability for individual staff to keep their own infrastructure and research services, a new research information up to date and link it to Research Portal, developed specifically for the School website was the key motivation to UCD researchers as part of the Research become involved as early as possible. “As part Management System (RMS), is greatly of a large School, collating and maintaining an simplifying the task of keeping research up-to-date web page for all staff was a profiles current. As profiles are updated significant challenge that has been greatly across the university, via the Research simplified using the RMS. In particular the Portal, they will become available on the ability to download all the research publications School websites as well as the UCD from the ISI Web of Knowledge site straight Research website. into the portal takes all the formatting hassles out of starting and updating a publications list. Ideal for the preparation of grant proposals, the An additional benefit has been the ability to user-friendly system allows researchers to produce almost instantly the information maintain a professional looking, up-to-date web required for internal reporting and profile quickly and easily. Researchers and President’s reports.” academics can view, maintain and publish profile information to the web at their own Another early adopter was the School of convenience, with full control over the Agriculture, Food Science & Veterinary Medicine and efficiently.” Dr O'Riordan also finds RMS The Research Portal is currently live in five information they want to appear. Sections and researcher Dr Dolores O'Riordan found the ideal for preparing promotional literature. Schools with plans to go live in all schools by include research interests, publications, RMS particularly valuable in preparing a recent “International companies have been delighted the end of October 2007. with the opportunity to view the profile of our collaborations, teaching interests and successful PRTLI4 application. “We were More information on Research Profiles can be researchers in advance of meeting with us. It professional associations. required to prepare detailed research metrics found at: www.ucd.ie/research/ or by contacting for UCD staff dating back to 2001, in a very allows them to target the research area and The School of Biology and Environmental the Research Profiles team at 7164040 or tight timeline. Using RMS we were able to researchers of greatest interest when they visit Science was involved in the pilot phase of the [email protected] download and present the material very quickly UCD, leading to more fruitful exchanges.” research portal, and for Prof Mark Rogers the Prestigious Appointment for UCD Academic

Dr Eleanor O’Higgins, UCD Michael Smurfit School of Business, was recently appointed to the Dr O’Higgins specialises in teaching, research and publications in corporate governance, strategic newly formed Press Council of Ireland. The new council, in tandem with the soon-to-be- management, business ethics and corporate social responsibility. She is the author of numerous established Office of the Press Ombudsman, will provide an independent regulatory body for papers in academic and professional journals, newspaper articles, book chapters and case studies. Ireland’s print media. It comprises 13 people, an independent chairman, Prof Thomas Mitchell, She is on the editorial boards of a number of international management journals and chairs the Ethics former Provost of TCD, and six other independent members, all of whom were chosen through Education Committee of the US Academy of Management. a process of public recruitment and six other members who have a media background and were appointed following nomination by the industry. Cén fáth rang Gaeilge ? Some of Bord na Gaeilge UCD Irish language learners share their thoughts and experiences.

Is deacair lá fada oibre a chur isteach, ceapaire a chaitheamh ar do chosaibh agus déanamh Daoine spéisiúla a bhíonn gafa le cúrsaí Gaeilge na hOllscoile, faoi mar a deir Denise Fox, Mac léinn ansin ar rang oíche. Bíodh sin mar atá, chláraigh breis is 500 duine le ranganna teanga Bord na dochtúireachta, Scoil na nEolaíochtaí Bithmhóilínigh agus an Bithleighis: Gaeilge anuraidh agus bhí siad an-mhaith chun freastail orthu. Cad a mheallann na daoine seo, Having first found a love for Irish during summers spent in the Galway Gaeltacht as a teenager I was idir mhic léinn agus fhoireann, chun tuilleadh ama fós a chaitheamh ar láthair ár n-oibre? Cén delighted to find the opportunity to take up the language again. The classes are very relaxed and fáth rang Gaeilge, oíche Gheimhridh? informal and the group is made up from a great mix of people from all branches of university life, Seo thíos roinnt freagraí ó bhéal na bhfoghlaimeoirí féin. from students to researchers and from lecturers to administrators, who share a common grá for the Is ionainn eolas ar theanga agus eolas ar thír dar leis An Ollamh Simon More, Scoil na language. There is a great social side to the Irish language courses - including lunchtime talks, trad Talmhaíochta, Eolaíocht an Chothaithe agus an Leigheas Tréidliachta: sessions and the annual cultural course in Co Armagh. I took the beginners’ Irish language class soon after arriving in Ireland. Being from Australia, it has Ba mhór ag Zelie Asava, Scoláire Dochtúireachta SLLF, Scoil an Bhéarla, na Dramaíochta agus na been really important for me to understand the nuances of working in a surprisingly different culture. Scannanaíochta, an chuideachta chéanna: The beginners' Irish language classes were one of a range of opportunities that I have seized to better I'm half Irish and wanted to understand my mother tongue, culture and so on, and to be able to pass understand why Ireland is the way it is, through its language, culture, history and geography. On a it on if I ever have my own family. I was born here but grew up in London so I missed out on a lot. practical level, these classes gave me a foundation to understanding the meaning of Irish place names The classes provide me with the opportunity to meet people from all walks of UCD life. As a PhD and the basis for the correct (and at times, baffling!) pronunciation of Irish names etc. student I have found this to be a great asset as a PhD could otherwise be quite a solitary endeavour. Seasann na ranganna Gaeilge leis An Ollamh Michael Hennerty, Scoil na Bitheolaíochta agus na Is dream iad lucht na rannganna a bhíonn cíocrach chun an teanga a thabhairt leo, faoi mar a deir nEolaíochta Comhshaoil, agus é i mbun taighde: Dr Cliona Golden, Scoil na nEolaíochtaí Matamaitice: I have been researching the background to the historical Irish apple collection at UCD and I was Fluency in Irish would allow me to tap into that side of our culture which is most fully accessible interested in looking at sources in Irish in the National Library. Since I hadn't studied Irish since first through Irish. Living abroad had the effect of making me all the more determined to improve my Irish year in UCC, which was a long time ago, I decided to attend the Bord na Gaeilge courses to update when I returned to Ireland. I was therefore thrilled, to see classes on offer on campus. my skills. I was allowed to work at my own pace and found it easy to make up ground quickly. Tá pobal suntasach Gaeilgeoirí le fáil i Scoil Ghnó UCD, An Dr Séamas Kelly ina measc: Tá gné idirnáisiúnta, ilchultúrtha ag baint le cúrsaí an Bhoird, de réir Michael McCann, I've been attending Bord na Gaeilge events for the past 3-4 years and have enjoyed them mac léinn dochtúireachta, Scoil na hInnealtóireachta Ceimicí agus Bithphróisis: tremendously. These have provided a great opportunity to improve my Irish and to meet a lot of I had to decide between Irish language and an extra science subject for my GSCEs at the age of 15. As interesting people around the university who share an interest in the language. The annual residential a chemical engineering PhD student at UCD, I am glad of the decision I made then, but have always course in Dún Chaoin, Co Kerry has been a particular highlight, has always been great fun and has missed not being able to speak the native language of our Island. When I arrived at UCD last year, I given me the opportunity to learn a lot more about the culture of the area and my own family decided therefore to take part in a Bord na Gaeilge staff Irish class. The memories of my 'cad e mar connections with it. They attract a really nice and sympathetic bunch of people from all corners of ata tú' schooldays came flooding back when I sat beside folk from Ireland, Australia, Germany, India the university and the language fundamentalists are notable by their absence! and Wales, to mention but a few, as we learned to converse ‘as Gaeilge’. It is a fantastic experience Is líonmhaire an ‘sympathetic bunch’ sin ná lucht na ranganna amháin. Aisling Nic Craith, mar and during class we often talked about sport, history, music and politics. shampla, mac léinn fo-chéime, Scoil na Talmhaíochta, Eolaíocht an Chothaithe agus an Leigheas Is maith le Catherine Convery, An Oifig Idirnáisiúnta go mbíonn imeachtaí cultúrtha ina gcuid Tréidliachta, bhí sí ar Scéim Chónaithe Bhord na Gaeilge anuraidh agus tá an Ghaeilge á cur chun lárnach de shaol na bhfoghlaimeoirí: cinn aici i gconaí: When I started work in UCD, I was delighted to find out about the classes. An added bonus was the Ghlac mé páirt i Scéim Chónaithe Bhord na Gaeilge an bhlian seo caite. Gan dabht, bhí an-chraic fact that I got to know people from all over UCD who have an interest in Irish too. The other againn i rith na bliana. Úsáidim mo chuid Ghaeilge go minic, mar shampla, beidh mé ag cur turas den activities, like lunchtime talks and weekends in the Kerry Gaeltacht, are great opportunities. champas ar fáil trí mhéan na Gaeilge le linn Seachtain Fáilte UCD. Fáilte is fiche roimh dhaoine nua i gcónaí!

22 In July UCD was host to the International Alberto Savoia. Also in attendance were Carlo Goldoni Conference celebrating the Dr Bruno Busetti, Director of the Italian Cultural UCD School of Languages, tercentenary of the birth of the great Italian Institute, Dr Rosangela Barone, a former dramatist. Prof Deirdre O’Grady, Head of Director, Professor Cormac Ó Cuilleanáin, Trinity Italian Studies and a specialist in Italian College and Prof Christopher Murray of UCD Literatures and Film hosts Drama and Comparative Studies, brought Drama Studies. together speakers from Italy, France, Holland, Switzerland, Britain and Ireland. The conference was closed by Prof Jean Michel These represented leading European Picard, Head of the School of Languages and International Goldoni Institutes of Learning, such as the Literatures. Delegates were then the guests of Universities of Venice, Rome, Milan, the Italian Ambassador at his historic residence, Pescara, Paris IV (Sorbonne), Groningen, Lucan House. Conference Lausanne, Leeds, Strathclyde and UCD. Universally regarded as the father of Italian comedy and the most influential eighteenth century playwright, Goldoni (1707-1793) wrote more than 150 comedies in Italian, Venetian and in two instances French. In addition he provided 150 texts for music for such composers as Paisiello, Galuppi, Piccini,Cimasosa and Hayden. Known as the ‘Italian Molière’, he derived his prime inspiration from the 'Commedia dell’Arte’, the improvised Italian theatre of the Masks.

The conference was inaugurated by his Delegates at the International Delegates at the International Carlo Goldoni Conference Excellency the Italian Carlo Goldoni Conference Ambassador, Dr Lucio

Pictured are the first round appointees: back row (l-r): Henry McLoughlin (School of Computer Science & Informatics), Dr Amanda Gibney (School of Architecture, Landscape & Civil Engineering), Dr Niamh Moore (School of Geography, Eight Fellows appointed Planning & Environmental Policy) and Dr Feargal Murphy (School of Irish, Celtic Studies, Irish Folklore & Linguistics). Front row (l-r): Dr Eilis Hennessy (School of Psychology), Maria-Rosario “Charo” Hernandez (School of Languages, Literatures & Film), Dr Patricia Kieran (School of Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering) and Dr Sara O Sullivan (School of Sociology). The inaugural year of the UCD Fellowships use the forthcoming UCD intranet facility to in Teaching & Academic Development has showcase their continuing work, to engage been launched with the appointment of other interested academics in their projects eight Fellows. and to open new teaching and learning communication paths across the university. The project, which is the result of a successful bid to the HEA Strategic Initiative Fund, also UCD Registrar, Dr Philip Nolan said “I believe includes a strategic link with the University of that the work of the Fellows will deliver more Limerick through which the UCD Fellows will than simple improvements in these areas, and link with similar scholars in teaching and will result in the development of completely learning through a series of inter-institutional new perspectives. I am very excited by this colloquia and a major conference. The initiative. It is a reflection of the importance Fellowship Scheme formally commenced at the that the university places on creativity in this end of May with a workshop to plan project area and a great way of recognising and activities. They will work on the development of rewarding the excellence of the academic staff new practices in two strategic teaching and here at UCD.” learning topics: The First Year Experience and Student Engagement. The teams are currently The Fellowship project is led by Elizabeth working on project papers and the first Noonan (Director of Academic Policy) and colloquium with the University of Limerick will Dr Bairbre Redmond (Vice-Principal Teaching take place in December 2007. The Fellows will & Learning, College of Human Sciences).

Double Coup for UCD’s Diploma in Veterinary Nursing programme

UCD’s Diploma in Veterinary Nursing American Veterinary Medical Association and interest. The significance of accreditation programme is in the spotlight having the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. The by the VCI for staff and students at UCD is recently received accreditation from long-term aims of the Foundation are to extend demonstrated by the opportunity for all ACOVENE (European Accreditation accreditation to veterinary nursing programmes Diploma of Veterinary Nursing graduates, Committee for Veterinary Nurse Education) in all European countries and to encourage the both past and present, to register as Veterinary and from the Veterinary Council of Ireland. development of training courses in countries Nurses with the VCI once the register opens UCD's Director of Veterinary Nursing, Ms Andrea Dwane where these are currently weak or absent. in 2008. This significant coup for all staff and students (right) receiving accreditation for UCD's Diploma in Veterinary Nursing from President of the Veterinary associated with the successful three-year The programme also received accreditation UCD’s Director of Veterinary Nursing, Ms Council of Ireland, Ms Meta Osbourne. diploma programme reinforces UCD’s position from the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI), Andrea Dwane is delighted with recent as the premier provider of Veterinary Nursing being the first veterinary nursing programme in achievements and is confident that the veterinary nurses. Furthermore, European education in Ireland; being the only Irish Ireland to receive such status. The VCI is the continued development of ACOVENE will projects such as ACOVENE will provide students programme to receive ACOVENE accreditation Statutory Body for the registration and provide encouragement and further registered to our programme at UCD with and one of only seven European Schools of regulation of veterinary nurses under the opportunities for all stakeholders connected greater opportunities to study abroad in Veterinary Nursing to receive the award. Veterinary Practice Act 2005. The principal with the veterinary nursing profession schools hosting similarly accredited All were visited by panels appointed by the function of the Council is to regulate and “ACOVENE and VCI accreditation will help programmes.” pilot ACOVENE Board using accreditation manage the practice of veterinary medicine and foster confidence of veterinary employers in the criteria developed in association with the veterinary nursing in the State in the public professional education and skills' training of

23 UCD and TCD sign historic Great Loss for Irish Folklore MOU with Queen’s

Building on a collaborative accord between In this strategic partnership, three of the the two Dublin institutions, UCD President, Dr leading research institutions on the island of Hugh Brady and TCD Provost, Dr John Ireland have identified a number of areas in Hegarty, each signed bilateral collaborative which they have complementary strengths and agreements with QUB President and Vice together they intend to develop these areas to Chancellor, Professor Peter Gregson at a ensure maximum intellectual, educational and special reception hosted by the Minister for economic benefits of the three universities in Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern TD, in April. an all-Ireland and international context. The agreements will promote and consolidate co-operation in education and research “The pooling of intellect across the universities between the three universities. presents us with a genuine opportunity to UCD Delargy Centre for Irish Folklore Ar an 30 Lúnasa 2007 a d'imigh Tom attain critical mass in areas where we can and the National Folklore Collection will Munnelly (1944-2007) uainn ar shlí na “By strengthening cross-border collaboration in demonstrate centres of excellence in the mourn the recent passing of Tom Munnelly fírinne. Cruthaíodh an ceangal idir é féin research and education in this way, we can help international arena,” said Dr Hugh Brady. (1944-2007) who passed away on 30 August agus An Coláiste Ollscoile Baile Átha Cliath put the island at the forefront of the global “What we, UCD, TCD and QUB, are announcing 2007, following a long illness. Tom first níos mó ná 30 bliain ó shin nuair a fostaíodh knowledge economy and deliver real benefits to today is an historic alliance of this island's top became associated with UCD more than ina bhailitheoir amhrán ar an chéad dul síos citizens both North and South,” said the universities,” he continued. “It transcends thirty years ago when he was employed as a é agus ina Chartlannaí/Bailitheoir ina dhiaidh sin, post a bhí aige faoi Lárionad an Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern geographic and cultural barriers to create collector. Subsequently, he became Duileargaigh do Bhéaloideas na hÉireann Archivist/Collector, a position he held until TD, welcoming the unique collaborative world-class programmes in scholarship, agus Cnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann go dtí go his recent sad demise. He relocated to partnership agreements. research and training.” bhfuair sé bás de bharr tinnis a bhí á chrá le county Clare in 1978, which remained to a píosa maith roimhe sin. D'aistrigh sé siar go large extent, the centre of much of his contae an Chláir sa bhliain 1978 agus ba collecting activities. ansin a chruinnigh sé lear mór den bhailiúchán mhór a thiomsaigh sé agus é i He was an iconic figure in folk music and folk mbun a chuid dualgas don Ollscoil. Clinton Institute for song circles in Ireland and in the English- speaking world generally and an acknowledged Is amhlaidh gur breathnaíodh air mar phearsa expert on the Irish tradition of folk song in the speisialta agus mar shaineolaí aitheanta ar American Studies English language. It is important to note, thraidisiún na hamhránaíochta i mBéarla na however, that while many of his writings deal hÉireann go háirithe dóibh siúd a bhfuil dáimh with this topic, the scope of his work was wider acu le hamhráin Bhéarla an phobail agus leis an than song. He gathered material of the highest cheol pobail in Éirinn, agus fríd domhan an Summer School quality in a variety of media in many parts of Bhéarla go ginearálta. Bíodh a fhios go mbaineann cuid mhaith dár scríobh sé leis an the country, all of which now forms an The week of 15-21 July saw the first annual States, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Ireland. réimse sin, is cuid suntais é gur leithne ná sin na important part of the National Folklore Clinton Institute for American Studies Plenary topics included papers on the westerns hábhair ar chuir sé spéis iontu. Chruinnigh sé Summer School held in the new Clinton of John Ford, modern forms of justice and crime Collection. Like many archive and field staff ábhar béaloidis den scoth san iomad meán agus Institute at Belfield House. The Summer television, a cultural history of post-war members of the former Irish Folklore den uile chineál ar fud na tíre agus tá sé sin School was attended by 45 participants from Germany, and contemporary US foreign policy. Commission and Department of Irish Folklore, uilig anois ina chuid thábhachtach de 29 different educational institutions and he had a distinguished publication record, in Chnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann. Mar a tharla i nine different countries. Following a The Summer School also took advantage of the which his special knowledge of the workings of gcás chuid mhaith eile de lucht foirne stimulating opening reading by poet Paul IASIL conference being held at UCD during the the living tradition was supplemented and Choimisiún Béaloideasa Éireann agus de Roinn Muldoon, participants spent the week same week by hosting a roundtable on ‘Irish enriched by the insight that close acquaintance Bhéaloideas Éireann roimhe, tharraing a chuid listening to plenary lectures by the School’s Studies and American Studies’ that was well with the existing body of archived material foilseacháin clú agus cáil air i ngeall ar a faculty and attending one of four week-long attended by attendees at both events. provided. shaineolas ar an traidisiún beo, saineolas a thematic workshops in which they discussed doimhníodh agus a saibhríodh de bharr an chur pre-set readings and shared their own work The week's events concluded on Saturday with His writings brought great credit to the subject amach a bhí aige ar na bailiúcháin a tiomsaíodh in progress. a one-day symposium on Transnational and earned the respect of scholars at home and roimhe sin. American Studies that was attended by abroad. Similarly, he showed enormous energy Bhí meas air agus ba mhór an chlú a thuill sé i Themed workshops were held on the subjects Summer School participants and faculty who and skill in promoting interest in and gcéin agus i gcóngar don ábhar léinn a of ‘Trans-Atlantic Studies: A Critical were joined by others working in the field. understanding of the nature of folklore through The event included a stimulating keynote roghnaigh sé. Ar an gcuma chéanna chothaigh Comparativist Analysis’ Prof. Donald E Pease popular publications, broadcasting and lectures address by Summer School faculty member sé go hoilte agus go fuinniúil ina chuid (Dartmouth College); ‘Fear & Security: American to local societies and the like. Culture since the Cold War’ Prof Elaine Tyler Donald E. Pease (Dartmouth College). foilseachán agus sna léachtaí agus sna cláracha raidió agus teilifíse a mbíodh sé páirteach iontu May (University of Minnesota); 'Literature of He made an intermittent but very important The week’s scholarly activities were broken up spéis an phobail i gcoitinne sa bhéaloideas. Migration & Ethnicity' Prof Werner Sollors contribution to the teaching programme by (Harvard University); and ‘Image Wars: Media & by a very enjoyable musical event in Dublin on Wednesday night that was attended by almost sharing his expertise as well as introducing D'fhág sé go leor de mhic léinn an bhéaloidis US Foreign Policy’, Prof Liam Kennedy (Clinton students to active collecting situations in the faoi chomaoin chabhartha nuair a bhíodh sé ag Institute, UCD). all of the participants and faculty. This event set the tone for the final evening BBQ and gave field and participating in associated follow-up plé leo idir amanna agus ag míniú dóibh an chaoi le bheith ag déileáil le faisnéiseoirí sa Plenary lectures were given by scholars in participants from other countries a real taste of activities such as transcription and indexing of ghort agus ag léiríu ina dhiaidh sin na American Studies from institutes around the Irish culture and hospitality. the materials collected. He constantly offered modhanna cuí chun tras-scríobh agus innéacsú world, with faculty coming from the United advice and information to all comers and promoted the good name of the institution a dhéanamh ar an ábhar béaloidis a bhailíodh sé Back row (l-r): Prof Donald Pease (Dartmouth College), Dr Hamilton Carroll (University of Leeds) and Prof Liam Kennedy through his contacts with other bodies and uathu. Bhíodh sé go síoraí ag cur comhairle agus ag soláthar eolais do dhaoine agus ag cur ainm (UCD). Front row (l-r) Prof Janet Davis (University of Texas), Prof John Carlos Rowe (University of Southern California) organisations, by lecturing to local societies and na hinstitiúide chun cinn sa phlé a bhí aige le and Prof Donatella Izzo (University of Naples, "L'Orientale"). liaising with musicians, singers and broadcasters heagraíochtaí eile, sa tseirbhís a thug sé do at home and abroad. chumainn áitiúla ina chuid cainteanna agus sa chaidreamh a bhí aige le ceoltóirí, le In recognition of his lifetime's achievement, the hámhránaithe agus le craoltóirí sa bhaile agus degree of Doctor of Literature (honoris causa) in imigéin. was conferred upon him by the National University of Ireland, Galway on 19 June 2007. Mar aitheantas dá shaothar saoil, bhronn A month or so earlier, a Festschrift, entitled Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh céim oinigh DLitt Dear Far-Voiced Veteran. Essays in honour of Tom air ar an 19 Meitheamh 2007 agus, mí nó mar Munnelly, was presented to him at a ceremony sin níos luaithe ná sin, foilsíodh an held in his adopted county of Clare. fhéilscríbhinn, Dear Far-Voiced Veteran. Essays in honour of Tom Munnelly agus bronnadh air í i Tom Munnelly as a long-standing employee of Rinn na Spáinneach i gcontae a dhídine, the university, did his institution and the nation a unique service. His contribution to the Irish Fostaí seanbhunaithe den ollscoil ab ea Tom Munnelly a thug seirbhis shainiúil di sin agus folklore record was quite outstanding, easily don náisiún araon. Is féidir é a áireamh de bharr ranking him alongside the most distinguished na hoibre a rinne sé ar bhailitheoirí móra an of the labourers in this field in Ireland. bhéaloidis in Éirinn.

May he rest in peace. Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam.

24 Retired Staff Dinner CHER Conference at UCD

In September, UCD hosted the twentieth International evidence indicates that a law of Sixty-four UCD staff who retired in Session 2005-06 were honoured recently at a dinner hosted annual conference of the Consortium of diminishing returns eventually applies to by the President, Dr Hugh Brady, in UCD O’Reilly Hall. Paying tribute to their role in the Higher Education Researchers (CHER); investment in university technology transfer development of the university, Dr Brady said the annual dinner to mark the contribution of the first time the conference has come to offices; the vehicles for transferring research to retired staff had established itself as one of the most enjoyable functions in the calendar of Ireland. CHER is the primary organisation the knowledge economy. Addressing the topic social events staged on the Belfield campus. for researchers active in the field of higher of ‘Technology Transfer Offices and the education research in Europe and links all Commercialization of Innovation in the United Dr Noel Fitzpatrick, Mrs Mary Fitzpatrick, Ms Marion Creely, Prof Fergus D’Arcy, Mrs Ann D’Arcy the major research centres and leading States’, Roger L. Geiger (Distinguished Prof of and Mr Eamon Drea, Vice-President for Staff. scholars in the field from around the world. Education at Pennsylvania State University and While it is primarily a European author of Knowledge and Money: Research organisation, its membership is drawn Universities and the Paradox of the Marketplace) from more than 30 countries, a quarter of argued that, despite continuing increases in whom now come from outside Europe. investment in technology transfer offices, the The conference theme, ‘The Research Mission commercialisation of innovations in the USA, of the University’, has a particular relevance including invention disclosures, licensing for UCD and other Irish universities at this agreements and licensing income, has reached a juncture. plateau since the late 1990s. The limiting factor is, of course, the amount of inventions in The conference was organised by Prof Patrick patent-rich sectors of universities. Clancy, UCD School of Sociology, who is a founder member of CHER and currently a The EU clearly lags a long way behind the USA member of its Board of Governors. The in terms of the commercialisation of university conference always generates keen interest research. Frans van Vught (Honorary Prof of among policy-makers, in addition to attracting Comparative Higher Education Policy Studies at leading international scholars in the field. The the University of Twente and member of the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Irish Government, Group of Societal Policy Analysis of the Prof Patrick Cunningham, gave the plenary talk European Commission), argued that his work in on ‘Guardians of Knowledge, Drivers of Change the European Commission has highlighted the - Universities Serving Society’, while need for substantial investment in technology representatives of the Higher Education transfer offices in universities across the Authority, the Irish Universities Association and member states for many years to come, before the Irish Research Council for the Humanities & any such plateau can be reached in the EU. He Launch of Social Sciences were among the delegates. called for increased investment in technology transfer offices, to allow the economies and The Secretariat of CHER is currently based at societies of EU member states to benefit from The Irish the University of Kassel, Germany, where Prof the cutting-edge research being undertaken in Barbara Kehm, its Executive Secretary, directs European universities. the International Centre for Higher Education Research. Prof Alberto Amaral, from the With the benefit of NovaUCD, one of the Labour Party, University of Porto, Portugal is the Chairman leading innovation and technology transfer of CHER. centres in Ireland, UCD is well placed to be at the forefront of developments in the The value of the research mission of the commercialisation of technology, as UCD 1922-73 university in sustaining Ireland’s ‘Celtic Tiger’ progresses towards realising its vision of The recent general election and the economy emerged as one of the recurring becoming one of the leading research-intensive resignation of Labour leader Pat Rabbitte has themes of the conference. In his plenary talk, universities in Europe. Prof Cunningham argued that the value of focused attention on why the Irish Labour Brigid McManus, Secretary General, Department academic research is determined first by peer Party has never prospered in this country. of Education and Science; Prof Ulrich Teichler and review through publication in recognised Labour has never achieved electoral success Prof Patrick Clancy. journals, describing this as ‘the quality control to match that of her sister parties outside stage’. He said, “It can then be seen to Ireland, but the party’s influence has always have practical value based on the far exceeded its size, holding office in seven number of patents issued and the administrations and playing kingmaker in flow of capital into business to several others. develop products and services. This brings direct benefits to The publication by UCD Press of The Irish Labour society in terms of increased Party, 1922-73 by Niamh Puirséil, a lecturer in Church, to the Irish communist movement, to employment, better health the School of History and Archives, is a timely Fianna Fáil. services or improved quality examination of a party that never reached its of life. It also underpins our Launching the publication at the Royal Irish potential for a variety of reasons. Drawing on competitiveness as a the papers of politicians and activists from Academy, Professor Brian Farrell welcomed the nation.” Labour and other parties, the book offers a study as the best book on an Irish political fresh and insightful look at a party riven by party to date, making a significant contribution, factions throughout its existence and opposed not simply to our understanding of Labour, but by potent outside forces, from the Catholic of independent Ireland. Visit of Leading Canadian Archivist

Leading Canadian archivist and archival macro-appraisal theory and strategy to carry for selecting archival records within computer- scholar, Prof Terry Cook (University of out this function in the National Archives of based record-keeping systems; the appraisal of Manitoba), led an advanced CPD workshop Canada (now Library and Archives Canada), and ‘special’ media (photographs, cartography and on archival appraisal to archivists from has written widely on the subject. This was his architectural/engineering plans, film, sound, Ireland and the UK at UCD in May. second visit to Ireland, he led a workshop on television etc) and ethical appraisal (what are Participants came from national archives the preservation of electronic records as the archivist's responsibilities in appraisal?). (UK and Ireland), universities, local authority archives in 2003, also organised by UCD archives/county record offices, corporate Archives and the Society of Archivists, Ireland. Prof Cook teaches in the Archival Studies archives and the private sector. The graduate programme at the University of workshop was organised by UCD Archives The appraisal workshop discussed the Manitoba, Canada. He has conducted and sponsored by the Society of Archivists, problems and importance of appraisal; schools workshops and seminars on appraisal, electronic Ireland (www.archives.org.uk/thesociety/ of thinking about appraisal value and failures of records and archival ethics across Canada and regions/ireland.html) and The Heritage past approaches to appraisal. It explored the internationally. He has written more than Council (www.heritagecouncil.ie/). Canadian approach of macro-appraisal, and its eighty publications on a wide range of archival operational framework; issues, values and subjects and has served as editor of Archivaria, It has been argued that appraisal is the critical methods in the selection of case-level the scholarly journal of the Association of function of the archivist - determining which records; concepts, methods, new directions in Canadian Archivists. records will be kept and which will be personal and private-sector records appraisal; Terry Cook with UCD Archivist Kate Manning destroyed. Prof Cook devised the influential co-operative appraisal; identifying the criteria

25 ChangingWorlds wins McGuinness named Innovation Award Professor of Creative

ChangingWorlds, the leading provider of significant benefits leading to increased portal personalisation and intelligent content usage and revenue growth. Writing discovery solutions to the mobile industry, recently won a ‘Deployed Application Award’ Prof Smyth, a member of the AAAI and a worldwide recognised expert in the area of AI, from the Association for the Advancement of Donegal playwright, Frank McGuinness has been “I am extremely honoured with the award of presented the winning paper at the conference. Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) at its annual named Professor of Creative Writing. The title Professor of Creative Writing” said McGuinness. He is also a member of the editorial board of conference. which recognises his achievements in drama and “This is one of the very few times in my life when I AAAI's Artificial Intelligence magazine. literature will remain with him for as long as he find myself short for words.” The conference is now in its nineteenth year Much of ChangingWorlds early research has is writer in residence at UCD. and its awards ceremony recognises successful "It is a great privilege to work in the UCD School of grown out of the UCD School of Computer practical and commercial applications of English, Drama and Film among such revered Irish Science and Informatics. The nerve centre of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in writers as my good friend and colleague Professor ChangingWorlds ongoing research and industry. ChangingWorlds’ Stephen Oman, Declan Kiberd.” together with founders Prof Barry Smyth development is still located in NovaUCD. of the UCD School of Computer Science and McGuinness who was born in Buncrana, William Cheetham, the IAAI Conference Chair Informatics and Paul Cotter prepared the County Donegal, received a scholarship said “Prof Barry Smyth is one of the most winning paper entitled ‘Enabling Intelligent to study at UCD in the early highly respected and recognised experts Content Discovery on the Mobile Internet’, 1970s. He first came to worldwide in the field of Artificial Intelligence which describes how the ClixSmart prominence in 1982 with and the success ChangingWorlds has achieved personalisation technology has been deployed his play ‘The Factory Girls.’ in the application of AI in commercial by mobile operators worldwide to deliver very His reputation as a master deployments is to be applauded.” playwright was firmly established in 1985 when his play ‘Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme’ was staged at the Abbey Theatre and then internationally.

Prof Frank McGuinness, Professor of Creative Writing

Highest honour for three UCD academics

In recognition of their outstanding academic achievements, three UCD academics have been awarded membership of the Royal Irish Academy (RIA). This is the highest honour that can be attained by scholars and scientists working in Ireland.

Associate Prof Jennifer Todd, UCD School of Politics & International Relations and IRCHSS Senior Research Fellow; Prof Desmond Higgins, Prof of Bioinformatics, UCD Conway Institute, the most cited computer scientist in the world; and Prof Ciaran Regan, UCD School of Biomolecular & Biomedical Science, Prof of Neuropharmacology and Co-ordinator of the Applied Neurotherapeutics Research Group, are among 24 new members recently enrolled into the RIA.

The newest members to the RIA come from a broad range of academic disciplines including: string theory, marine science, political science, human rights law, divinity, bio- informatics, classics, neuropharmacology, Spanish, Celtic studies and the history of art. The RIA currently has 385 members from throughout Ireland.

“Throughout its history, the Academy has recognised the scholarship and public contributions of the leading thinkers in Ireland,” said Prof James Slevin, President of the Royal Irish Academy. “I am confident that these new members will continue that tradition of developing Ireland's intellectual culture, which is so vital to our continued success in today's knowledge society.”

From l-r: Prof Desmond Higgins, Prof James Slevin, President of the Royal Irish Academy, Associate Prof Jennifer Todd and Prof Ciaran Regan.

26 Report on Juvenile ‘Upheavals of Memory’ Detention highlights Conference

The ‘Upheavals of Memory: Defining, ‘The Incredulity of St. Thomas’. Mr Cooke, a Mental Health Issues Imagining, Creating, Contesting’ conference former chairman of the Irish Museums’ Council, took place in the UCD Humanities Institute presented an inquiry into the workings of of Ireland in April, attended by postgraduate memory on the site of Kilmainham Gaol, students from many countries, including drawing on the insights he had gained while Poland, Turkey, France, the Netherlands curating an exhibition in the Gaol. and Cyprus. The conference showed the multiple The event was highly interdisciplinary, making applications of the contemporary memory up part of the UCD Humanities Institute of discourse across the whole spectrum of Ireland’s research into ‘Identity, Meaning and humanities subjects. The topics of the papers Memory in the 21st Century’, a project that stretched from the changing meaning of has been evolving constantly since its inception monuments in post-Communist Poland, the in 2002. significance of memory within the work of John Millington Synge and Hugo Hamilton, to the The conference was addressed by two use of light monuments as a visual approach to distinguished keynote speakers: Mr Pat Cooke memory. The Upheavals of Memory conference A new research report, launched in May, intellectual disability range.” of the School of Art History and Cultural Policy, stimulated passionate debate and has shows young people in detention schools UCD and Professor Peter J. Burgard of Harvard Dr. Hayes said that the difficulties highlighted contributed to an ongoing critical engagement in Ireland experience very high rates of University. Professor Burgard presented a in the report are not addressed through current amongst postgraduate students on the subject psychiatric disorders, engage in serious probing re-examination of Caravaggio’s painting criminality and have significant deficits in service provision for these young people. of memory. emotional intelligence and in cognitive ability. The report, Emotional Intelligence, “The vast majority fail to receive any treatment Mental Health and Juvenile Delinquency, for psychiatric problems whatsoever. The report was prepared by Dr Jennifer Margaret highlights the importance of addressing these Hayes and Dr Gary O’Reilly of the UCD difficulties. In addition to reducing the School of Psychology. debilitating effects that mental health problems Planning Modern Ireland: have on a child's functioning and development, Dr Hayes and Dr O’Reilly are the first researchers treatment will lead to a significant reduction in in the world to examine whether young people offending behaviour and criminality and in detention for criminality have deficits in therefore, has significant cost benefits for Irish Planning and the Role emotional intelligence and meet diagnostic society, the legal system and the Irish State.” criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder. Dr Hayes and Dr O'Reilly set out a number of Dr O'Reilly said: “Young people in detention key recommendations including: specifying the of UCD possess a reduced capacity to accurately role that detention has to play; highlighting perceive emotions in themselves and in others; opportunities for intervention; development of A new book chronicling the growth and Principal Planning Advisor, Department of the a reduced ability to use emotions to prioritise multi-disciplinary assessment and intervention evolution of the modern mandatory Environment, Heritage and Local Government. teams; development of risk assessment planning system in Ireland and the role thinking and a reduced ability to regulate their Through reflections and achievements from procedures; the use of evidence-based and cost played by UCD planning graduates in emotions. The research also demonstrated that some of UCD’s 800 planning graduates, effective assessment and treatment securing planning as a key instrument of young people in detention experience Planning Modern Ireland offers a unique programmes; and ongoing research. public policy at local and national level has significant cognitive deficits; 21% of the young insight into the Irish planning system and the been published by the School of Geography, people assessed had full-scale IQ scores in the changing nature of planning education, with its Planning and Environmental Policy. growing emphasis on research as the basis for As Ireland continues to plan and professionally evidence-based policy. manage the future development of the island, “The academic year 2006/07 represents a readers of Planning Modern Ireland by Michael J proud milestone for UCD, as it celebrates forty Student Laptop Bannon and Bernadette Bradley will be able to years as the premier Irish centre of excellence review past successes and failures of Irish in teaching and research of regional and urban planning - from the euphoria of the Lemass era, planning,” says Professor Peter Clinch, Professor through two difficult decades with lack of Programme at UCD of Regional & Urban Planning, UCD School of resources and political indifference, to the Geography, Planning & Environmental Policy. successful enactment of the Planning and assisting students who find themselves in "As Ireland experiences a period of Development Act in 2000 and the formulation financial difficulty. This donation will be based unprecedented change, this book will help of the National Spatial Strategy 2002-2020. on the level of sales.” us to learn from past successes and failures as “One of the great strengths of this extensively- we continue to plan modern Ireland." The UCD Student Laptop Offer includes researched book is the skilful way in which it Copies of the order form are available on the exclusive access to a UCD Microsoft student blends on the one hand personal accounts of School of Geography, Planning and suite, the laptop is pre-configured to work on the staff and students who shaped both UCD Environmental Policy website: www.ucd.ie/gpep the UCD network and is loaded with the and Irish planning over 40 years, and on the required anti-virus and anti-spyware software. other hand how planning education and IT Services is currently working on making this research developed against the backdrop of offer available to staff also. Pictured at the launch are from left: J. Peter Clinch, dramatic changes in Irish society and the Professor of Regional and Urban Planning; Michael J. economy since the 1960s,” says John Martin, Bannon, Emeritus Professor of Regional and Urban The laptop initiative is just one of a Planning, UCD and Brigid Laffan, Principal of the UCD was the first Irish third level institution comprehensive suite of services offered to College of Human Sciences. to adopt the Student Laptop Programme, students and staff by UCD IT Services. From the launched at UCD in August by Minister for start of academic year 2007-2008, IT Services is Education and Science, Mary Hanafin TD. offering an improved range of services including The programme is a collaboration between increased file and email storage giving both Intel, Dell, HP, Microsoft, AIB and Vodafone to staff and new students 2GB of storage, support the increased use of laptops by third comprehensive helpdesk support with extended level students. hours, and a new IT centre in Newstead.

Seamus Shaw, IT Chief Service Officer, UCD IT Existing and newly enhanced services include Services told UCD today: “At present, around 1100 PCs in 42 computer labs around campus 20% of our students own their own laptop, and the extensive stand up and surf facilities with this new initiative we expect that to (SUAS) to access course materials, search increase to 75% over the next three years. library catalogues, give presentations and access It’s a very affordable option for students with email or the internet. The increase in student up to €800 off retail prices. With the core of computer users was clear at last year’s IT the Belfield campus, including on campus induction courses with a 98% take-up. These accommodation, now supporting 100% wireless courses run at regular intervals throughout the internet access, students can access year. First-year undergraduate and graduate information at any time.” students receive a free 1GB disk key when they attend the 30-minute induction courses. Please He added: “The suppliers have kindly pledged to visit www.ucd.ie/itservices to check the full donate a number of laptops to the UCD range of services. Student Welfare Fund, which is responsible for

27 Helping Beijing focus on Discovering a world Food Safety for the 2008 of science at UCD The UCD Science outreach initiative aims examine a 170 million year old ammonite fossil to show primary and secondary school and discover the magic of magnetism. Olympic Games students the relevance of science in everyday life and to encourage them to During June, 148 secondary school students study science and explore the career options from over 20 schools visited the UCD campus No stone is being left unturned to avail of processors, distributors, retailers and caterers for scientists. for the New ERA Uni4U and fifth year summer the opportunity to showcase China during online. In addition to food safety, the Beijing schools. The science activities gave them a next year’s Olympic Games, which will be authorities are vigilant in case of a bioterrorism In addition to events for students, UCD also chance to explore the challenges for astronauts held in Beijing. The area of food safety is of attack on the food chain during the Games and welcomes science teachers into research living on board the International Space Station key importance as confidence in the Chinese there are cameras in all the food businesses laboratories each summer as part of the SFI with Dr Orla Donoghue from the Science food export business has been damaged in which are monitored locally, regionally and also Secondary Teachers Assistant Researchers Programme Office and examine how maths is the international marketplace. centrally in the command centre. There is an (STARs) programme. The goal is to help teachers used in nature in a workshop provided by army of inspectors who take samples and make renew their interest in science as researchers Dr Maria Meehan from the UCD School of The need to ensure food safety and prevent a observations along the supply chain. All and bring their new knowledge back to the Mathematical Sciences. bioterrorism attack on the supply chain has monitoring is captured online. A food business afforded the opportunity for UCD School of has to be on this system for over 18 months classroom. By the middle of August most of the science Public Health and Population Sciences and the and has to have demonstrated compliance in The busy summer kicked off on 29 May when teachers had completed their research work UCD Centre of Food Safety to participate in order to supply food during the Games. The UCD hosted a Magic Show for 700 pupils from and before they got ready to return to school, developing a food safety risk management authorities can query the database for records 23 primary schools across Dublin. The explosive, the UCD Conway Institute organised a series of regimen. Prof Patrick Wall says it's wonderful on the whereabouts of individual consignments to be involved where a ‘wish list can become of food, on specific businesses, type of action-packed show involved 40 science practical workshops on how to bring their a reality’! businesses, category of food (of which there are experiments from investigating fuels of the research experience back to the classroom. 360), or Olympic venues etc. future, to experimenting with the pull of gravity Every food business has to be licensed and have and exploring static electricity. “To bring the UCD research alive to my a food safety management system appropriate The most sophisticated techniques will be used students, I am preparing two scientific posters to the activities that they are carrying out or by the analytical chemists testing athletes for “This was our first experience of the Magic on astronomy and gamma radiation,” explains they will not be allowed to trade. performance-enhancing drugs such as Science show,” said Orlaith Veale, a primary science teacher Dr Stephen Gammell. “This is clenbuterol and anabolic steroids. Guilty school teacher from Scoil Náisiúnta An my second summer working in the UCD School Resources at the Beijing Food Authority, in athletes might claim the drug found in their Dea-Aoire, Churchtown, who attended the of Physics. It really keeps me interested in terms of staff, information technology and samples came from something they ate but event with her students. “It's great to see science and its applications outside of the laboratory capability, have not been spared. there is strict monitoring on farms and food is educational material presented in such an curriculum.” There is real-time monitoring of the entire being tested for over 30 agents on the Olympic entertaining and enjoyable way.” supply chain with details of the activities of all banned drugs list. Information on upcoming UCD Science events Over at Croke Park from 5-6 June, UCD including Transition Year work experience and a Science and the CSCB hosted an interactive pod Science Festival can be found at for students attending the Discovery Primary www.ucd.ie/science/events.html Science awards of science excellence. Students and their teachers queued at the UCD stand to

Science teachers Laura Barry, Seosamh O'Braonain and Aoife McCarthy with their model of DNA at the UCD Conway Institute.

Prof Patrick Wall with Mr Wang Qishan, Mayor of Beijing and chairman of the organizing committee for the Beijing Olympic Games. Bright Sparks

A group of PhD students and a technical seabed around the underwater sandbanks officer from UCD's School of Biology and situated off the east coast of Ireland. These Environmental Science have recently been banks lie approximately 5-11 km offshore and announced as the winners of the Marine are recognised as unique habitats under the Institute’s ‘Bright Sparks Award’. Jennifer European Union Habitats Directive. They are Coughlan, Edward Farrell, Javier Atalah, rich in invertebrate life, providing feeding Julien Chopelet, Jayne Fitch and Ilaria Coscia grounds for all sorts of fish and supporting a are part of the Marine Biodiversity, Ecology number of important fisheries. They also help to and Evolution research group (MarBEE, shelter the inshore waters forming a natural www.ucd.ie/zoology/marbee). They have nursery area for many ray and shark species. been given a unique opportunity to plan, prepare and implement a research survey There is also commercial interest in the of their own design aboard the Marine sandbanks as they are seen to be ideal locations Institute Research Vessel Celtic Voyager for offshore wind-farms. Seven wind turbines (www.marine.ie). are currently in operation on the Arklow Bank. There are plans to increase this number to 200 The team sailed from Dublin on 29 August in the near future. The research team will and finished their voyage in Rosslare on 2 investigate the potential effects of these September. During this time they surveyed the wind-farms on the ecosystems associated with wide range of animals that live on or near the the sand banks.

28 UCD Smurfit Links with China School UCD College of Business and Law took a There are over 600,000 students in Wuhan with Commenting, Professor Frank Roche said “The major step towards improved links with new universities being built all the time. The major aim of the trip was to develop a strategy China when a group from the School spent group visited Wuhan University, the principal for the College of Business and Law vis a vis a week visiting China. Led by the Deputy university of the region, along with several China. This should revolve around good student’s Principal of the College, Professor Frank others. Discussions were also held with Wuhan relationships with a small number of key Roche, they were accompanied by Vice University’s School of Business and Law. universities and we have made an excellent President for University Relations, start with Wuhan university. However, to paper wins Dr Padraic Conway. It is proposed that undergraduate students successfully implement the strategy we will complete a one-year foundation course in need our own people representing us in China.” The purpose of the trip was to establish strong Wuhan before coming to Ireland to do a links with Chinese universities both as a source BComm at the Quinn School. Already 17 offers Also in the delegation were Professor Aidan major award of students wishing to study in Ireland and as a have been made to start the programme in Kelly and Professor Andy Deegan of the destination for UCD students visiting China as 2008. Business School; Professor Joe McMahon of the part their study programme. Law School; as well as Wang Li Ming of the Postgraduate students will have direct entry to Confucius Institute and Liu Goggin, graduate Starting in Beijing, the group first visited the MSc programme at the Smurfit School with programme co-ordinator, China. Liu is a native Renmin University which already has close links the first students expected next year. Later it is of Wuhan. with the Confucius Institute. They also visited expected students will be able to compete a the Beijing Technology and Business University. two-year programme which would see them receive degrees from both universities. However, the key target was the city of Wuhan, capital of China's Hubei province, which was founded 3500 years ago. Situated at the junction of the Hanjiang and Yangtze rivers, it is a city of nearly eight million people - one of the six biggest in China - and has been designated as a main educational centre by the Chinese government.

Yansong Hu, a PhD student at UCD Smurfit School, and his supervisor Dr Damien McLoughlin have recently won the highly Left to right: Professor Frank Roche, prestigious M. Wayne DeLozier best Liu Goggin, Professor Andy Deegan, conference paper at the Academy of Professor Aidan Kelly, Professor Joe Marketing Science Conference in Florida. McMahon, Dr Padraic Conway, The paper ‘Global Diffusion of a Radical Wang Li Ming. Innovation in Life Science Research: A Longitudinal Study on Adopter Networks’ is based on the doctoral research of Yansong. Adding to this achievement is that the award was for the best overall conference paper and did not relate to papers drawn Henry Mintzberg visits UCD just from doctoral research. The excellence of Yansong’s research received further acknowledgement when he received an honourable mention in the annual dissertation competition at the recent Smurfit School American Marketing Association conference in Washington D.C. One of the world's best-known management “It is plain corrupt to have people doing fourteen books. He is recognised in the Web scholars, Professor Henry Mintzberg, both jobs; one on a salary from the state of Science list of ‘the world’s most cited and Innovation diffusion is of great interest to marketers, as innovation fuels the growth of Cleghorn Professor of Management Studies and another on private fees,” he was quoted influential researchers’ with approximately new brands, creates new markets and at McGill University Montreal recently as saying. 3,000 citations. transforms small outsiders into market leaders. visited UCD Smurfit School. Professor Henry Mintzberg has devoted his life largely to The invited audience included the Secretary Although prior work on innovation diffusion is Mintzberg addressed an invited audience of valuable, there are two main limitations. First, Irish health care professionals on the theme research and writing in the area of strategy General of the Department of Health and the bulk of research has focused extensively “Managing the Myths of Health Care”. formation and new approaches to management Children as well as leaders in the industry on identifying macro patterns of growth across The talk was organised as part of UCD education. The management guru is widely and political leaders. countries and over time, micro-view of diffusion Smurfit School's promotion of its newly published and is the author or co-author of is rare. Second, most previous research has launched Health Care MBA programme. focused only on successful products. Based on Professor Mintzberg with, left Dr Gerardine Doyle, Director of the Health Care MBA empirical evidence from the life science sector, According to Professor Mintzberg, it is a long- programme and Professor Tom Begley, Dean of the UCD Schools of Business this study gives a micro-view of research toolkit standing myth that the problems of health care diffusions, compares successful and institutions can be somehow fixed by bringing unsuccessful products, and examines how in the ‘great leader’ who makes bold statements toolkits diffuse over time across different and takes dramatic actions. The health sector is research sub-areas. The study shows that lacking in a dynamic approach because it is so (1) both economy of scale and scope are two top heavy. Effective leaders drive change within inseparable components in new product the health care sector by stepping down from diffusion, (2) social networks of adopters of ‘on top’ of organisations and implementing successful diffusions present features of small strategies with others often considered worlds and (3) knowledge brokers are among separate from their formulation. Such critical actors of the social system driving engaging management is needed to drive innovation diffusion in nascent industrial fields. change in the health care sector. These findings are supported by large-scale secondary longitudinal data from multiple He suggested that increasing demand for sources, including data extracted from over competition within the health sector twenty thousand scientific papers and patents. would not exist if the existing system Yansong is one of a group of three doctoral learned the art of co-operation. Going on students working with Dr McLoughlin on the to describe the Irish mixture of private issue of market making in the life science and and public health care as ‘corrupt’, biotech sectors. Collectively, they are members Professor Mintzberg said doctors should of a wider group of researchers drawn from have to choose between working in the other leading business schools including public or private systems but not both. Lancaster University, Copenhagen Business School, Stockholm School of Economics and Rotterdam School of Management.

29 UCD researchers search Master of Industrial Sahara for dinosaurs Engineering reunion A reunion of MIE graduates took place in June. At the function David Hearn BE, Managing A team of UCD and Moroccan palaeontologists, led by Dr Gareth Dyke from the School of Partner, Deloitte Consultants, presented the Deloitte medal and bursary to Michael Peters BE, Biology and Environmental Science, spent much of April searching for dinosaurs in the Sahara. MIE for first place in the graduating class 2007. Keynote talks were given by Paul McCambridge, This is one of the first time international fossil-finding and geological expeditions to the Managing Director, Xilinx Ltd, and Prof Gerry Byrne, Dean of Engineering. Cretaceous (ca. 90 million-year-old) rocks in this part of Morocco, the so-called Kem Kem beds. The MIE (Master of Industrial Engineering) programme is in its 40th year having been set up in the Many of the fossils the team collected are now back in Dublin, and some of them will form the Department of Mechanical Engineering in 1967. It is a two-year, part-time course and participants subject of a graduate research project. The team recovered some of the first fossil evidence for come from a wide variety of backgrounds within Irish industry. Over the years many graduates have birds and small meat-eating theropod dinosaurs from the Moroccan Cretaceous and plan to moved into leading positions within Irish companies. return in November for further exploration.

Michael Peters receives the Deloitte medal from David Hearn, Managing Partner, Deloitte Consulting

Nobel prize-winning Pioneering Figure in physicist visits UCD The co-recipient of the 2006 Nobel Prize in the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, Physics, Dr John Mather (NASA Goddard due to be launched in 2013. He also Space Flight Center), visited UCD in June to emphasised the important role of the Engineering and Disability deliver the statutory lecture of the School of European Space Agency in the mission. Cosmic Physics, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, entitled 'Finding our At a lively Q&A session after the lecture, Research Origins with the James Webb Space Dr Mather was asked if he believed that NASA Telescope'. could build a better satellite if they had more UCD learned with deep regret of the death research, Professor Dodd published his findings money. Dr Mather’s response was that the of Professor Emeritus Vincent Dodd on 15 in international journals over three decades. At a wine reception before the lecture, James Webb Space Telescope is at the limit of August 2007. Professor Dodd served three Following his formal retirement from UCD in Dr Mather met with staff and students of the what mankind can currently achieve and could terms as Dean of the Faculty of Engineering 2002, he remained an active contributor to the UCD School of Physics and DIAS. not be improved upon at this time. This bodes and Architecture (1992-2001). Both in this university's Environmental Engineering Group. well for the future of our enquiries into the role and as a member of university councils, The lecture was delivered to a packed theatre origin of the universe and the formation of committees and task forces, he was At national level Professor Dodd was appointed of 200 people in the Global Irish Institute. galaxies, stars and planets. dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in Chair of the Standards Advisory Committee of Dr Mather outlined the very ambitious plans for the National Disability Authority in April 2002. teaching, research and administration. Members of the UCD Space Science group with Dr John Mather (second from left). From l-r: Sinead McGlynn, Suzanne Foley, Gary Melady, Dr Michaela Skulinova and Dr Lorraine Hanlon. Awarded the title Chevalier de l'Ordre du Mérite Our sincere sympathy is extended to his wife, Agricole by the government of France in 1989 Ruth, and to their children Vincent, Andrew, for his contribution to agricultural engineering David and Philip.

National Economic and Social Council Appointment Prof Peter Clinch, UCD School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy, is one of three independent experts recently appointed by the Taoiseach to the National Economic and Social Council. The function of the Council is to analyse and report to the Taoiseach on strategic issues relating to the efficient development of the economy and the achievement of social justice, and the development of a strategic framework for the conduct of relations and negotiation of agreements between the government and the social partners. The Council may consider such matters either on its own initiative or at the request of the Government. The Council includes the leaders of the social partners and six Secretaries General.

30 UCD pays tribute to its UCD student captains sports men and women Wexford to All-Ireland

The commitment and dedication of more • The Senior Basketball team which won the camogie title than 450 UCD sports men and women from University Championships 26 different sports clubs was acknowledged • The Ladies Senior Eight crew which Congratulations to UCD's Mary Leacy who dearly for their seven wides in the opening by UCD at the UCD Budweiser Sports won the National Championships, captained Wexford to their first Gala All- half as Wexford made more clinical use of Achievement Awards. University Championships and the Elite Ireland Senior Camogie Championship title possession with Leacy palming home her Women's Eight event at Henley since 1975, thanks to a two-point victory second goal, midway through the opening half. “With many of our students from various sports over reigning champions Cork at Croke Park clubs triumphant at Intervarsity level, and many • The Soccer teams which won the Harding on 9 September. Mary, who is a Master’s in At the final whistle it was Wexford who reigned others taking on the cream of competition Cup, the Collingwood Cup and the inaugural College and Universities League title Urban Planning student, was joined on the supreme and Mary Leacy climbed the steps of nationally and internationally, it is clear that we the Hogan stand to accept the O’Duffy Cup • The Ladies Volleyball team which won Wexford squad by five of her UCD club have many top quality sportsmen and women from Liz Howard. Notably it is the second time the University Championships, the mates Aine Codd, Michelle O’Leary, Margaret representing the university in sport,” says in seven months that Mary has captained a English Student Cup and the Volleyball Darcy, Louise Codd and her sister Una Leacy. Dr Martin Butler, Vice-President for Students. team to All-Ireland success. In February of this Association Cup “The multitude of achievements by UCD clubs Wexford had a fantastic start to the final year she captained the victorious UCD senior is not only a testament to their marvelous • The Senior Camogie team which won the thanks to a goal after three and a half minutes camogie team in the Ashbourne Cup (the All commitment but also that of their coaches, Ashbourne Cup from the unmarked Una Leacy who struck to Ireland Higher Education Championship) and managers, mentors and club officials. A number of special awards were also the net from 14 metres. Cork were made pay the Higher Education League final. presented including: A specially commissioned medal was presented to each of the students to mark ‘Dr Tony O’Neill Sportsperson of the Year’, their achievements in sport. Among those which was awarded to the Ladies Gaelic honoured were: Football and Camogie All-Star recipient, Cuddihy smashes Irish Rena Buckley. • The Senior Gaelic Football team which won the Dublin County Championship ‘Gerry Horkan Club Administrator of the Year’, • The Senior Men's Hockey team which which was awarded to the UCD Equestrian Club record at World Athletics secured promotion to the Leinster League captain, Martin Ryan. Division 1 Rena Buckley, Dr Tony O'Neill Championships Sportsperson of the Year Award recipient With a finishing time of 50.73 seconds in the 400m semi-final at the World Athletics Championships in Japan on 27 August, Joanne Cuddihy smashed the 51.07 national Irish record, held by Karen Shinkins for the past eight years.

Although this was the first time that UCD medical student has broken the 51 second barrier, it did not see her through to the 400m final. Cuddihy was placed eleventh overall.

“UCD is delighted to be part of Joanne's athletic progress. She came to UCD as an athlete with huge potential and we are thrilled that her hard work with her coach Paddy Faye and Lisa Regan, Director of the UCD Enfer High Performance Centre, has paid such rich dividends,” said Brian Mullins, Director of UCD Sport. “We look forward to next year's Olympics with high hopes.”

First Years Get Active during Orientation

As part of this year’s Orientation, the Sports Centre organised a programme of fun activities for all incoming students during the week of 3 to 7 September.

Over 3,000 students joined in the activities, which included archery, rowing, trampolining, skipping, rock climbing and rebounding.

Following their participation in the activities, students were encouraged to complete the UCD Health Screening form and received free fitness class vouchers which they can use over the coming months.

Commenting on the event Carmel Kissane, UCD Sports Education Officer, said “We were delighted with the level of participation throughout the week. It gave us in Sport an opportunity to encourage to students to engage in exercise and sporting activities that will hopefully enable them maintain a healthy balanced lifestyle throughout their time at UCD. Due to the success of the event we look forward to expanding the activities for next year’s Orientation.”

31 UCD honours veteran Irish actor, Nobel prize-winning economist and classical pianist

For his life's work on the stage and screen, In 1981, Prof Sen published 'Poverty and one of Ireland's most successful actors, Milo Famines: An essay on entitlement and O’Shea was conferred with an honorary deprivation'. In this book he showed that Doctor of Literature by UCD in June. O’Shea, famine was not the result of a lack of food but who is 81 years old, was raised in Dublin and rather the result of inequalities of the educated by the Christian Brothers. He mechanisms of food distribution, explained Prof began his stage career at a very early age Morgan Kelly, UCD School of Economics. and was soon performing with the Abbey Players. In the 1960s he became known to One of the greatest musicians of our time, the audiences for his starring role in the BBC pianist Alfred Brendel was also honoured by sitcom, Me Mammy. He has since gone on to UCD at the ceremony. In recognition of his act in dozens of big screen movies. outstanding contribution to musical performance, Brendel was conferred with an “There are a multitude of reasons for conferring honorary Doctor of Music. the degree of Doctor of Literature on Milo O'Shea for his outstanding achievements as an In a career spanning more than fifty years, actor across stage, film and television,” said Prof Brendel has performed all over the world as a Tony Roche from the UCD School of English, soloist, in chamber music, in concerti with the Drama and Film. “Not least is the fact that he world's great orchestras, and with the greatest played Leopold Bloom in Joseph Strick's 1967 conductors of our time. film of Joyce's novel Ulysses.” “Although alive with characterisation, his At the ceremony, UCD also honoured Prof performances have a completeness and Amartya Sen in recognition of his work on coherence that stems from a formidable famine, human development theory, welfare grasp of the music's constructive principles and economics, the underlying mechanisms of a penetration of the ideas that motivate them,” poverty, and political liberalism. Prof Sen was said Dr Julian Horton, UCD School of Music. conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Laws.

Technology and art collaborate at Kilkenny Arts festival

Visitors to the 2007 Kilkenny Arts festival Part of the AIC's remit is to stimulate interest in saw technology and art come together in adaptive information technologies, and the Lost and Found, a collaborative show physical, imaginative and playful experience of combining location-sensing technology, dance and theatre made this medium a strong specialist textiles and interactive dance partner for interaction technology. The sensing performance. technology provided an intuitive interaction form that makes the computer disappear - In the show, dancer Megan Kennedy interacted allowing the dancer and the children to take with a dynamic dance floor that sensed her control of the technology without any location and mapped her movements through knowledge of how it works. This interactive projected visuals and sound. The audience was dance experience uses the same fundamental Photographer: Fionn McCann, Dancer: Megan Kennedy, Designer: Tara Carrigy then invited to guide Megan on her journey technology developed within the AIC to through interactive colour and pattern. Children monitor the environment or to provide home also had a chance to test the interactivity for health care support. themselves, making the show unique. This show is a follow up to the sell-out The project combined the skills of Prof Patrick success of Jacare Jungle Nixon, Dr Lorcan Coyle, PhD students Hui which was performed at Zhang and Emerson Loureiro from the Adaptive the Kilkenny Arts Festival Information Cluster (AIC) at UCD, textile artist and Belfast Tara Carrigy, dancer Megan Kennedy and Children’s director Jo Timmons. Festival in 2006. Jacare Jungle was A joint UCD-DCU research centre, the AIC’s produced by Tara work focuses on adaptive technologies that Carrigy as part of the automatically evolve to meet the diverse needs Adaptive Craft Award, of users, devices and content in changing the collaborative contexts. Prof Nixon of the UCD School of initiative of AIC and Computer Science & Informatics leads the the Crafts Council of Systems Research Group at UCD, a key part Ireland which was of Adaptive Information Cluster. set-up to encourage dialogue between craft and science.

About UCD today — UCD today is the campus magazine of University College Dublin. It profiles and celebrates the tremendous variety of activities on the UCD campus. It provides information on issues that affect staff, students and stakeholders and is a forum to showcase the work of UCD people throughout the university. Published five times annually by the UCD Communications Office, UCD today also includes major feature interviews by well known Irish journalists. UCD today keeps the UCD community up-to-date with campus, people, news and activities and showcases UCD's excellence in teaching, learning and research. The magazine is distributed to all UCD staff and to an external community of stakeholders, associates and media.

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