SPRING 2019 13. Research into 13. Research prisoners’ health brought to life brought tolife prisoners’ health into Research INSIDE 11. Fraud detection 11. Fraud system could help protect elderly 9. An eye for An eye 9. impact from UCD Research in rugby 5. Concussion Contents Features E C C I S O O M N C E O I E D M IMPACT T A A I C C L A & Concussion An eye for Fraud detection Research into 5 in rugby 9 impact from 11 system could 13 prisoners’ health UCD research help protect brought to life elderly CAO First Preferences – working to retain No 1 The traditional 1 February CAO deadline serves as an indicator of interest and demand among school-leavers for UCD degrees and this year we have retained our position as university-of-first-choice among Level 8 colleges with 8,483 placing UCD first on their applications. The performance is good, especially as we admit over 4,000 school-leavers through 38 entry codes. Two other universities – Maynooth (34) and Limerick (41) have now reduced their number of undergraduate entry codes to a similar EILIS O’BRIEN number. Cork, Galway and Dublin City have 61-66 entry codes and TCD now Director of Communication and Marketing has 125. Across the country the number of Level 8 courses offered via CAO has increased from 921 in 2018 to 1,022 in 2019. When we began the process of reducing entry codes there was a worry that there would be a consequential impact on first preferences but this has not been the case. Having said this, it is clear that applicants and their advisors need time to understand new options and this year we have seen some shifting in applications in both the Arts and Humanities and the Social Sciences streams as people become more informed about the structure and content of the DN500s and DN700s options. Over the past two years we saw an emerging national pattern of students registering for CAO but not indicating their preference. In 2018 6,084 applicants registered ‘no course choices’. This year that number has dropped to 5,351. Overall, applicants for Level 8 courses are up 2.6% but UCD first preferences are down 1.1% so, we have work to do to keep UCD top-of-mind up to the 1 July final deadline. Our expert teaching campaign, focusing on parents and influencers, went live at the end of February and we will go back out with a change of mind campaign focusing on students either side of the Leaving Cert exam timetable. Readers may have seen our employability campaign that capitalises on our QS ranking of number 1 in Ireland and 74th in the world. Originally designed for employers and funders, we have incorporated the badge into our undergraduate campaigns and along with subject rankings badges, it can be used on materials, websites and email signatures. More information can be found on the thinkbigger.ucd.ie webpages. thanks... Produced by: Eilis O’Brien, Mary Staunton UCD Design: Loman Cusack Design Ltd Subscribers Judith Archbold, Emer Beesley, Catherine Bodey, Print: Fine Print Rupert Bowen, Kathleen James Chakraborty, Josh Clark, Catherine Cox, Thanks to: Diarmaid Ferriter, Pat Guiry, Ann Lavan, Damien McLoughlin, Ciarán Crilly, Emer Cunningham, Emma Donovan, Samantha Drennan, Regina Uí Chollatáin Rachel Farrell, Orla Feely, Marcellina Fogarty, Ronan Gough, Paul Harkin, Audrey Healy, William Johnston, Eamonn Jordan, Jessica Kavanagh, In the compilation of this publication, every care has been taken to ensure Róisín Kennedy, Beth Kocher-Gormley, Hilda Loughran, Stephen Lucek, accuracy. Any errors or omissions should be brought to the attention of UCD Kate Manning, Cal Muckley, Clár Ní Bhuachalla, Valerie O’Brien, University Relations ([email protected]). We also welcome your suggestions Darina O’Hanlon, Tadhg O’Leary, Síofra Pierse, Emilie Pine, Elaine Quinn, for articles in future editions. Please Recycle Claire Redmond, Aoife Ryan, Mark Simpson, Tara Walsh, Miceal Whelan Cover image: The Examination @Luca Truffarelli News Pictured at the Gold Medal presentation are: Prof Michael Peter Kennedy, President of the Royal Irish Academy, Prof Kathleen James-Chakraborty and Prof Mark Rogers, UCD Registrar and Deputy President. work in the humanities, and is the seventh UCD academic to receive the honour since its RIA Gold Medal inception in 2005. Professor Peter Kennedy, President of the for Humanities for Royal Irish Academy said: “Through her insight, Irish Book Professor James-Chakraborty’s reach has Professor Kathleen advanced the boundaries of her discipline. She of the Year has hugely advanced our understanding of James-Chakraborty modern architecture through her scholarship, Congratulations to Associate Professor her public engagement, and through her role Emilie Pine, UCD School of English, Professor Kathleen James-Chakraborty, as prominent public intellectual”. Drama and Film whose essay collection UCD School of Art History and Cultural A past chair of the Irish Architecture Notes to Self has been voted An Post Policy has been presented with the Royal Foundation, she is a current member of the Irish Book of the Year 2018. The collection Irish Academy Gold Medal for Humanities, board of the Society of Architectural Historians, explores aspects of her life including becoming the first woman to receive the and of the Building of Ireland Charitable Trust, fertility, feminism, sexual violence, award. The architectural historian was the Chester Beatty Library and the National addiction in the family, and depression. awarded the prestigious prize by Minister Museum of Ireland, where she chairs one of the two standing committees of the board. To Maria Dickenson, Chairperson of the An for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh TD at a special ceremony at the RIA. date the UCD academic has authored four Post Irish Book Awards, called the essay monographs, more than 70 book chapters, collection “one of the great stories in Irish The Academy’s Gold Medals are considered journal articles and contributions to exhibition bookselling in 2018. The power and honesty of the highest scholarly accolade in Ireland, with catalogues, and she has co-edited six Emilie’s essays have captivated readers, and only two awarded each year. Professor James- collections of essays and special journal it’s truly gratifying to see her talent rewarded.” Chakraborty received her Gold Medal for her issues. Ad Astra Awards Ceremony UCD’s flagship scholarship programme, Musical Scholars. The cast featured UCD alumni the Ad Astra Academy held its Annual Ali McMahon and Evan Lynch, along with current Awards Ceremony in February 2019 with scholars, Lisa Lyons, Ryan O’Donnell, Luke Kehoe Roche and Dylan Browne. over 220 guests attending to celebrate and The Academy is an environment where welcome its incoming scholars across its students with exceptional ability, creativity and three programmes: Academia, Elite Sports drive are motivated, challenged and inspired. It is and Performing Arts. Guests included now a world-class Academy with scholars such scholars and their parents, secondary as Ben Moore (Academic Scholar) winning the school principals, Professor Mark Rogers, Fulbright Student Award to pursue a Master of UCD Registrar and Deputy President, Science degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics academic mentors, UCD faculty and staff, at Stanford University; Peadar Timmins and donors of the Academy. The ceremony Professor Mark Rogers presents Academic Scholar, Mohammed (Academic and Elite Sports Scholar) winning the Hamood Ali Al-Rashdi with his UCD Ad Astra Academy Scroll. welcomed 57 new scholars, 17 of whom Naughton Fellowship that has allowed him to 2018 Silver Medallist at the Under-23 World pursue a fully funded Masters in Entrepreneurship were awarded based on exceptional Rowing Championships Lightweight Quadruple and Technology at University of Notre Dame, academic performances in their first year Sculls. Performing Arts Scholar, Ryan O’Donnell USA; Elite Sports Scholars, Elena Tice being at UCD; 15 Elite Sports Scholars and 9 (Children’s and General Nursing student) spoke nominated for FIH (International Hockey Performing Arts Scholars. Academy about the opportunities the Academy has Federation) rising star of the year and Garry membership now stands at 157. enabled him to undertake including, performing Ringrose nominated for EPCR (European The proceedings were hosted by the Ad Nick Payne’s Constellations and the original Professional Club Rugby) player of the year and Astra Academy Director, Professor Barbara Voices of War created by our Artistic Director, Performing Arts alumna, Katie O’Byrne co-writing Dooley and included a presentation to each Kellie Hughes, as well as going to the Institute of and performing a new show Free EU Roaming incoming scholar and a guest speaker from each Arts, Barcelona for an intensive training week directed by alumna, Rosa Bowden at Smock of the Academy’s three strands talking about with his fellow scholars. All three were exceptional Alley Theatre. their experiences. speakers on the night and each of them Through the continued generosity and Academic Scholar, Eimear Conroy (Stage 4 highlighted the importance of the Academy and support of alumni and friends of the University, Physics) highlighted how the Academy enabled the impact it has had in helping them achieve the Academy is able to offer unique supports her to undertake the esteemed Naughton their ambitions. and opportunities, such as the Ad Astra Research Experience for Undergraduates at the The evening included a performance piece, Scholars’ Room in the Student Centre, a High University of Notre Dame, USA last summer. Elite an extract from The Third Policeman, by UCD Performance Gym and Performing Arts Studio to Sports Scholar, Andrew Goff (Rowing and final alumnus Flann O’Brien. It was directed by its scholars. Professor Barbara Dooley, on year Electronic Engineering student) spoke Performing Arts Artistic Director, Kellie Hughes behalf of the Academy, expressed her deep about how the Academy helped him become a and featured both Performing Arts Drama and appreciation for their generosity and support.