www.ucd.ie/ucdtoday WINTER 2014 13. How Irish consonants 13. How the secrets revealing are of speech

adaptation of Electra 9. Frank McGuinness’ 9. Frank

INSIDE Art and Architecture of Ireland

A prestige project breaks new ground 7. UCD scholars for mentoring recognised and research 5. 1600 years of Irishof years 1600 5. Art and Architecture in five volumes Contents Features

1600 years of UCD scholars Frank McGuinness’ How Irish 5 Irish Art and 7 recognised for 9 adaptation of 13 consonants are Architecture in mentoring and Electra revealing the five volumes research secrets of speech It’s all about brand

The challenge of any university strategic plan is to articulate its distinctiveness from other universities. Of course we all want to be excellent in our research and renowned for the quality of our teaching. So, when it came to the publication of our new five-year strategy, there was an inevitability that people would look for something different. That difference is to be found in the nature of the global ambition. In his recent inaugural address the President emphasised his idea of a global university – one that fosters connectivity and encourages cross- EILIS O’BRIEN fertilisation of ideas between disciplines and across boundaries. Director of Communication During the summer, we conducted some qualitative market research among key stakeholders in Ireland and overseas. The respondents were honest and even blunt. The academics knew their discipline counterparts but repeatedly they expressed a lack of awareness about the university as an institution. Unprompted, each of the stakeholder groups talked about the need to raise awareness of the “brand”. By this they do not mean the crest or name. They mean getting the message out about what we stand for, who we are, and how we impact on society. With the roadmap of objectives clearly set out in Strategy 2015-2020, the communication strategy will focus on protecting and promoting our brand and on building our reputation not just here in Ireland but globally. There is no doubt that we are starting from a good base – as anyone can see from the presentation “This is UCD 2014” that goes alongside the strategy http://www.ucd.ie/strategy2015-2020/. The communication challenge is to embed this open approach into each of the College plans so that we bring this great output to the attention of the wider world.

Produced by: Eilis O’Brien, Aisling White, Dominic Martella Design: Loman Cusack Design Print: Fine Print UCD thanks... Thanks to: Diarmaid Ferriter, Pat Guiry, Ann Lavan, Damien McLoughlin, Diane Sonnenwald, Regina Ui Chollatain In the compilation of this publication, every care has been taken to ensure Contributors: Ebun Akpoveta, Conor Buggy, Ursula Byrne, Hugh accuracy. Any errors or omissions should be brought to the attention of UCD Campbell, Una Condron, David Corscadden, Christopher Cowley, Elaine University Relations ([email protected]). We also welcome your suggestions Cregg, Damien Dempsey, Nicola Figgis, Suzanne Hayden, Sinead for articles in future editions. Hennessy, Shauna Hughes, Naonori Kodate, Zoe Liston, Geraldine McDermott, Sarah Morton, Paula Murphy, Lynda Mulvin, Clár Ni This publication is also available online at www.ucd.ie/ucdtoday Bhuachalla, Maire Ni Choisáin, Ann O’Hanlon, Gavin O’Reilly, Diane Payne, Cover image: John Lavery, Return from Market, 1884, oil on canvas, Please Recycle Elaine Quinn, Geraldine Quinn, Barry Smyth, Fiona Sweeney, Cormac 117 x 61 cm, National Gallery of Ireland. Credit line: Photo © National Gallery Taylor, Cathy Timlin, Miceal Whelan of Ireland News

Ireland rugby player and UCD graduate, Jonathan Sexton (centre) was presented with the UCD Foundation Day medal by Des Higgins, Professor of Bioinformatics at the UCD UCD President Prof. Andrew J. Deeks (left) with his citation read by ERC Chief Executive Derek McGrath (right) at the UCD Conway Institute, whose research paper was featured Foundation Day Alumni Awards in Nature Magazine’s top 10 most highly cited research publications of all time. UCD Foundation Day Alumni Awards 2014 UCD Professor O’Reilly Hall in UCD played host to the Hillary, Dr Maeve Binchy and Mr Mícheáil Ó’ inaugural UCD Foundation Day Alumni Muircheartaigh. Awards on Friday November 14th. Hosted “The 2014 UCD Foundation Day Alumni in top ten most Awards continues a 160-year-old tradition of by Pat Kenny, Ireland’s most influential honouring the founding of UCD. This year individuals from areas of business, introduces a new tradition of celebrating the highly cited academia and culture gathered together success and contribution of our most Following on from his accolade as to support and celebrate the distinguished alumni world-wide”, said UCD one of the ‘World’s most influential accomplishments of UCD’s most President, Professor Andrew J. Deeks. distinguished alumni across all 13 Winners of the inaugural 2014 UCD Alumni Scientific Minds 2014’; a research programmes within the University. Awards were: Mairead McGuinness, Agricultural paper by Professor Des Higgins from Science; David McNulty, Architecture; Rosaleen the UCD Conway Institute, that set The event continued to maintain the tradition Linehan, Arts; Gary McGann, Business; Donal the international standard for DNA of presenting the Foundation Day Medal to an O’Riain, Engineering; Sr Stanislaus Kennedy, sequence analysis, has been featured outstanding alumnus at the awards ceremony. Social Sciences; Maeve O’Rourke, Law; Dr in Nature’s top 10 most highly cited The medal is awarded annually to a UCD graduate Patricia Scanlan, Medicine; Siobhan O’Halloran, research publications of all time. who demonstrates great achievement in their Midwifery & Nursing; Clodagh Barry, field. Physiotherapy; Evelyn Cusack, Science; and Noel The citation rate of a publication captures This year’s worthy winner was Jonathan Fitzpatrick, Veterinary Medicine. how widely other scientists draw on that Sexton, in recognition of his outstanding For more information on the winners visit publication in advancing their own work. achievements both in provincial and national www.ucd.ie/alumni/awards Professor Higgins is the only Irish scientist rugby. Previous medallists include Dr Patrick to be included in the Top 10, and is amongst the most highly cited scientist in the world, helping to boost the profile of Irish science around the world. Higgins is Professor of Bioinformatics at the UCD Conway Institute and a Principal Investigator at Systems Biology Ireland. He has been working in the areas of bioinformatics and molecular evolution since 1985, predominantly on methods and software for DNA and protein sequence alignment. His research group in the UCD Conway Institute currently works on developing new bioinformatics and statistical tools for evolutionary biologists and addresses molecular evolutionary questions using bioinformatics approaches. “UCD is driven by research excellence, and the work pioneered by Des Higgins in an emerging field is testament to the value of Pictured at the Teaching Hero Awards 2014 in Dublin Castle are Dr Kevin Costello, UCD School of Law; Prof. Bairbre Redmond, Deputy Chair, National Forum; Sínead Sheerin, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine; Prof. Mark Rogers, Deputy President and far-reaching research. Bioinformatics Registrar, UCD; Amy Fox, student; Áine Galvin, Director of Teaching & Learning, UCD fundamentally changed the field of biomedical research and has enabled many of today’s The Teaching Hero Award is the first of its advances in personalised medicine.” Said kind in higher education in Ireland and it serves to Professor Orla Feely, Vice-President of Teaching Hero identify teachers who have had a positive and Research, Innovation and Impact at UCD. lasting impact on students’ learning experiences “Des has delivered profound impact, not Award for two UCD in higher education. The awards were established only academically, but also in new technology by the National Forum for the Enhancement of and product development. His success Teaching and Learning in Higher Education in Academics across the fields of biology and computer partnership with the Union of Students in Ireland science is testament to the true (USI) and other student bodies. UCD Sutherland School of Law’s Dr Kevin interdisciplinary nature of his research”, she Fifty-three Teaching Heroes from 27 higher Costello and Ms Sínead Sheerin from the added. education institutions throughout Ireland were UCD School of Veterinary Medicine were recognised at the awards ceremony in Dublin recently presented with the National Castle. The event was attended by Professor Forum’s Teaching Hero Award. Mary McAleese, the patron of the National Forum.

3 | Winter 2014 News

UCD academic Minister for Education and Skills appointed to RTÉ announces UCD to set up global centres During a recent visit to China the Minister national initiative fostering collaboration in for Education and Skills, Ms Jan O’Sullivan research and enterprise engagement between Board announced that UCD was setting up global UCD and other Irish partners, leading Chinese centres in China, India, Malaysia and the universities and companies in both countries. It The Minister for Communications, United States as part of its global focuses on four themes addressing critical Energy & National Resources, engagement strategy. challenges and economic development Mr Alex White has announced that opportunities facing both Ireland and China, to The UCD Beijing global centre is collocated Dr P.J. Mathews, from the UCD School which UCD and the Irish university sector bring in the premises with the Irish Embassy and world-leading expertise: Agri-Food, ICT, Health of English, Drama and Film has been Enterprise Ireland. Speaking from Beijing the and Energy. appointed as one of seven new Minister said “By setting up global centres, UCD Speaking about the opportunities that will members of the RTÉ Board. will extend its activities beyond student come from the UCD global centre in Beijing, the Mathews will serve alongside four other recruitment. Their purpose is to provide a focal President of UCD Professor Andrew J. Deeks newly appointed Ministerial Nominees; Moya point for education, for alumni and diaspora said “Ireland and China hold education in very Doherty, who was appointed as Chair; Frank community, for research and academic high regard and recognise the contribution Hannigan, Deborah Kelleher and Anne collaboration, for trade and intercultural education makes to economic prosperity. The O’Leary. Mr Fergus Armstrong was exchange”. success of the Confusius Institute at UCD which reappointed to the board and Mr Aengus At present there are 6,000 international is linked with Renmin University, has already Mac Grianna, the recently elected RTÉ students, including 600 Chinese students created a real bridge between the two countries.” staff representative, was appointed by studying in UCD in Dublin. Ninety of these are He continued “There are currently 1,000 Government. PhD students funded through the China UCD alumni in China with over 100 based in The appointed board members were Scholarship Council. Furthermore, there are 700 Beijing. Through this global centre we will selected due to their high calibre and Irish students studying at overseas universities develop networks for and with our graduates so experience, delivering confidence that they as part of their UCD degree programmes. Some we can support their careers here. We have would be able to steer RTÉ to greater 18% of UCD’s Irish students spend part of their been active for a much longer time in other parts financial stability. degree studying at overseas universities and this of Asia and have a further 2,000 alumni in Hong figure is set to expand in China and globally. Kong and 6,500 in Singapore, so there are UCD is the lead university for the Ireland enormous opportunities to be realised by China Research SFI ISCA (International Strategic creating this network”. Collaboration Award) consortium. This is a major UCD Ranked 5th University in Europe for Producing VC-backed Entrepreneurs Pictured at the inaugural O’Brien Science lecture are (l-r) Denis O’Brien, Businessman and Philanthropist, David Epstein, University College Dublin is ranked 5th author of ‘The Sports Gene’ and UCD President Prof. Andrew J. Deeks in a list of European universities that have produced venture capital (VC)-backed undergraduates according to a report Inaugural O’Brien Science recently published by PitchBook. PitchBook is a Seattle-headquartered Lecture held in UCD research firm for private equity and venture capital data. On October 23rd the inaugural O’Brien Science lecture was held in the George Moore According to the Report entitled ‘Top Auditorium in the O’Brien Centre for Science in UCD. The lecture was delivered by Universities for VC-backed Entrepreneurs’, David Epstein, author of the New York Times Bestselling book, The Sports Gene. UCD during the period January 2009 to August 2014, President, Professor Andrew Deeks welcomed everybody on the day and handed over 31 UCD graduate entrepreneurs established 26 to Businessman and Philanthropist Denis O’Brien to introduce the keynote speaker. companies which raised $112 million in funding. UCD is the only Irish university in the top 10 In his lecture, entitled “0.5% The margin He also analysed how – once at the top list of European universities. between good and great, and how to find it”, competitive level – athletes are using “small The University of London ranked the best Epstein outlined how as sports have become data” to find what factors most matter for overall university in Europe with 71 graduate more and more high stakes, global performance, and which of those they can entrepreneurs, establishing 67 companies which competitions, the performance margins that change in the pursuit of the final 0.5% of raised just over $1 billion in funding. differentiate good, great and legendary have performance. Stanford ranked number 1 globally according shrunk dramatically. The lecture concluded with a lively panel to this report with 378 entrepreneurs, establishing According to Epstein, “cutting-edge discussion led by MC Enda McNulty. Panellists 309 companies raising just over $3.5 billion. science has shone a light on the best path to included Annalise Murphy, Olympic sailor; Rob The PitchBook VC database includes the peak performance, and it contradicts the most Kearney, Leinster and Ireland rugby player; educational backgrounds of over 13,000 popular notions about skill acquisition, like the Professor Colin Boreham, Director of the UCD founders worldwide. The rankings are based on famed “10,000 hour rule”. That argument says Institute for Sport and Health and two UCD Ad the number of founders that have received VC that only accumulated hours of practice matter Astra athletes, Darragh McDonald, Paralympian funding in period of the report based on the to success. In fact, it seems that future experts and Karl Griffin, Olympic 800m hopeful and founders’ undergraduate qualifications. start off practicing less in their eventual recently announced Junior Athlete of the Year discipline than their peers. 2014.

4 | Winter 2014 Feature CASTING LIGHT ON IRELAND’S CULTURAL HERITAGE - a prestige project breaks new ground

A landscape painter was so Says Nicola : “I was mad about A s William Strickland’s dictionary of artists, for volume aggrieved at the poor placement published in 1913. For years, I wanted to three, Paula of his work at an exhibition in update it. “ Murphy as Paula Murphy as Head of School, identified editor and Dublin, in 1863, that he took this as a potential project. contributor, However, the pair struggled for four years for shines much light a knife to a nearby painting, funding before securing a breakthorugh meeting across 580 pages tearing it from its frame. As the with Mrs Carmel Naughton with the assistance of on Irish sculpture, Jim Slevin of the Royal Irish Academy. the Cinderella of Irish art historian, William Laffan, drily “We got going just before the crash in art history. The reader observes, in his essay entitled, September 2008. We were lucky with our main will discover much patron. Carmel suggested that we expand the about legendary figures ‘Buying & selling & exhibiting art scope of the project to include the mediaeval such as John Foley, who in Ireland: 1700-1900’, the artist period, architecture and the Twentieth Century.” crafted monuments to both “At first, my head was sinking, but Paula was Daniel O Connell and Prince Albert. “The finest never exhibited again. not daunted and without her impetus the project public sculpture in the country”, says Paula. The would never have succeeded in getting off the volume contains around 250 biographies and 47 Mr Laffan is among more than 250 ground.” thematic essays. scholars who have contributed to a ground The involvement of the Academy was critical A contrast is made between traditional breaking five volume series on art and in bringing rigour to such an ambitious project. sculpture, include equestrian statues such as that With it, came a panoply of peer reviews and architecture in Ireland from the pre to King Billy, destroyed in 1928, and the work of advisory boards. mediaeval period to the present day. modern figures such as Dorothy Cross, and the Sally Salvesen and Yale University Press, one late Ian Stuart. Patrons identified range from Funding to the tune of more than €2m has of the leading publishers with a reputation for 1960s businessman Basil Goulding to today’s been provided, largely from the Naughton rigorous proofing, came on board to publish the local authority bosses under the ‘Per Cent for Art Foundation and the Department of Arts, series. scheme’. Heritage & the Gaeltacht. Huge effort was put in by the publishers into The volume on Irish architecture was the put the task of designing each volume. together by a group of editors, one a Pittsburgh The first volume is devoted to the period from A key goal of the project is that the books psychologist, Rolf Loeber. 400 to 1600 and was edited by Rachel Moss of should serve as a useful reference for students, UCD academic Hugh Campbell believes that TCD. Volume two on painting from 1600 to 1900 researchers dealers and the general reader. as architecture is all about team work, this is edited by Dr Nicola Figgis of the UCD School of Each of the five books retails at €95 and approach has worked best. Art History & Cultural Policy, while volume three weighs in at 3.5 kilos. The volumes are beautifully “We took a theme based approach. We tried dealing with the history of Irish sculpture is edited illustrated and the books should appreciate in to capture the range of issues and forces, the by her colleague, Professor Paula Murphy, both of value in the years to come. Given the advent of things that go to make architecture happen.” whom also took a heavy writing workload. digitalisation, they may also be the last of their Chapter one deals with the protagonists, Volume four covers Irish architecture over the kind, Nicola Figgis believes. architects, patrons, builders. period 1600 to 2000 and its five editors include The volume on painting contains a wide Next, methods of construction are covered, Professor Hugh Campbell of the UCD School of variety of thematic essays covering everything followed by styles and discourse. Architecture, Livia Hurley an occasional lecturer from artist materials to patronage to the history of A key goal was to give a complete picture of and PhD student at UCD, Rolf Loeber, John graphic satire. the country’s architecture, with emphasis on key Montague and Ellen Rowley. The reader learns that 18th century painters infrastructure such as bridges and piers, as well Finally, volume five, covering the Twentieth purchased their pigment from druggists and that as vernacular buildings. “The book is organised Century, was edited by Catherine Marshall, who new watercolour paint boxes allowed 19th by building types. It had to speak both to was seconded to the project from IMMA, and century artists to work in the open air. architects and to the general reader.” Peter Murray of the Crawford Gallery in Cork. There are some excellent cartoons, one And his view on the project as a whole ? “The UCD scholars Figgis and Murphy played featuring two men in striped jerseys battering default word on the volumes is ‘handsome’.” central roles in the launch of the project, helping each other with hurleys, one marked ‘Separation’, to secure the critical backing of Carmel Naughton, the other ‘Home Rule.’ Dr Nicola Figgis, Dr Paula Murphy and one of the country’s leading patrons. Another Professor Hugh Campbell in conversation with important player was Jim Slevin of the Royal Irish journalist Kyran Fitzgerald a contributor to the Academy. Irish Examiner

5 | Winter 2014 News

Financial Times Enzyme & The Economist chemistry research confirm top 50 wins 2014 UCD European ranking Conway Festival for UCD Smurfit medal

UCD President, Andrew J. Deeks School presented PhD student, Jennifer Cleary with the 2014 UCD Conway Festival Prof. Andrew J. Deeks, UCD President with the 2014 UCD UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business Conway Festival Medal winner Jennifer Cleary medal for her research to decipher how School confirmed its international “I also used proton NMR to see what chymotrypsin works and how to inhibit its standing with places in three highly happens at the active site to these residues action using a technique called nuclear respected international rankings for 2014 when I added an aldehyde inhibitor to magnetic resonance (NMR). – the Financial Times Executive MBA and chymotrypsin to try to stop it working”. Master’s in Management rankings and Chymotrypsin is a digestive enzyme that The 2014 UCD Conway Festival of The Economist full-time MBA rankings. breaks down proteins in the gut and falls into Research & Innovation showcased excellent work from across the breadth of the Institute UCD Smurfit School is the only Irish the category of serine proteases. Jennifer is using chymotrypsin as a model of serine with particular emphasis on emerging research business school whose programmes from early career researchers. New poster feature in these annual world rankings proteases. She is interested in how cancer spreads in the body. In particular, Jennifer review sessions in this year’s event gave The School’s programmes achieved 21st wants to find out how the serine protease, graduate and postdoctoral researchers a place in the European rankings (63rd in the urokinase or urokinase-type plasminogen platform to discuss their research with teams world) in The Economist’s Full-Time MBA activator (uPA) is involved in the process of of senior researchers. Plenary speakers at the event included study and 94th globally and 34th in Europe in tissue breakdown that can allow cancer cells to Professors Harald Mischak, University of the Financial Times Executive MBA report. invade and spread around the body. Glasgow; Denisa D. Wagner, Boston Children’s This year marked the 50th anniversary of the “The research findings that I presented at Hospital & Harvard Medical School; David Smurfit MBA with UCD being one of the the 2014 UCD Conway Festival are a small part of my wider doctoral research project focusing Rubinsztein, Cambridge Institute for Medical pioneers in the delivery of MBA programmes Research and Dr Jonny Finlay, Director, Pfizer. when they were first delivered in Europe in in on the active site or boiler room of the chymotrypsin molecule”. the 1960s. The Financial Times Master’s in Management review also ranked UCD Smurfit School’s programmes 45th in the world; while its CEMS Master’s in International Management programme was ranked fifth Bord na Gaeilge overall. UCD Smurfit School is one of only 29 business schools selected to run this UCD welcomes prestigious Master’s programme. Speaking about the rankings, Professor East Belfast Irish Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, Dean, UCD Business said: “The consistency of world and European rankings achieved by the School’s Language programmes in the most prestigious independent rankings of business education Development Officer is a tremendous achievement for our students and graduates. This is not about us but it is Linda Ervine about our students: they will compete with graduates from similar top schools Bord na Gaeilge UCD celebrated European internationally and therefore so must we”. Day of Languages on Belfield campus with Linda Ervine, Irish Language Development Officer at the East He continued “These consistently high guest speaker Linda Ervine, Irish Belfast Mission. Picture by James Brady, University Observer rankings help us to attract high calibre Language Development Officer at the East hOifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge ag Misean students and faculty and to partner with Belfast Mission. Inspired by an interest in Oirthear Bhéal Feirste, post a bunaíodh le other leading business schools internationally. Irish language place names and by her This creates a first-class learning environment tacaíocht ó Fhoras na Gaeilge. Thosaigh Linda research on the 2011 census of population, ag foghlaim na teanga í féin sa bhliain 2011 leis in the service of our students and of Ireland. Linda was motivated to share her an An Droichead, eagraíocht Gaeilge a chuireann We remain dedicated to delivering education knowledge of the language within and teanga agus cultúr chun cinn trí oideachas, and research programmes to the highest beyond the loyalist community of which ealaín agus seirbhísí pobail i ndeisceart chathair standard to those who study at UCD Smurfit she is a member. Her inspiring speech Bhéal Feirste. Spreag sin Linda dul i mbun oibre School, so that we can equip them for life in highlighted the importance of language as í féin le cúrsaí Gaeilge agus ócáidí cultúrtha a a highly competitive environment where the a means of reconciliation and the benefits sholáthar i bhFoirgneamh Skainos ar Bhóthar development of our society and our economy Bhaile Nua na hArda i gceantar dílseora in which can be derived from intercultural depends on high standards and an openness oirthear na cathrach. Tá breis is 120 duine ag exchange. to the world.” freastal ar ranganna Gaeilge i bhFoirgneamh The consistent high rankings are Skainos anois, éacht nach beag i gceantar ina reinforced by the fact that UCD Business Linda Ervine ar chuairt i UCD do Lá bhfuil daoine ag troid ar son comharthaí a School remains the only business school in Eorpach na dTeangacha bhféiniúlachta Briotanaí. Le linn a cuid cainte i Ireland (and one of less than 60 worldwide) to D’fháiltigh an tOllamh Micheál Ó Dochartaigh, UCD rinne Linda cur síos ar na naisc a bhíodh hold the accreditation from three centres of Cathaoirleach Bhord na Gaeilge UCD roimh agus atá ann idir Preispitéirigh agus an Ghaeilge, business and academic excellence; EQUIS Linda ar an 26 Meán Fómhair nuair a thug sí naisc atá le sonrú fós i mbannaí agus i sloinnte (Europe); AACSB (US); and AMBA (UK). cuairt ar Ionad na Mac Léinn UCD. Is deirfiúr i dTuaisceart na hÉireann. ‘Is linne ar fad í an chleamhnais an fheisire David Ervine nach teanga’ an teachtaireacht a bhí ag Linda. Ba maireann agus bhean Brian Ervine, Iar- mhór an onóir dúinn fáilte a chur roimh bhean cheannaire an PUP, í Linda atá ag obair ina chomh misniúil, stuama agus cumasach léi.

6 | Winter 2014 Feature

Pictured l-r; Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation, Damien English TD, Prof. Berry Smyth, UCD and Prof. Mark Ferguson, Director General of SFI and Chief Scientific Advisor to the Government of Ireland UCD scholars recognised Professor Cormac Taylor and for mentoring Professor Barry Smyth recently won major awards for their mentorship and research. They and research spoke to Claire O’Connell. But honour is not a one-way street, as Like Professor Taylor, Professor Smyth also Professor Taylor describes. “If a PhD student studied science as an undergraduate in UCD, and spends three to four years of their life in a position he has been staff since the mid-1990s. Today, he that is not that well paid and they work in your lab holds the Digital Chair in Computer Science. on your ideas, they deserve respect and empathy, Professor Smyth is recognised internationally and it is your role to make sure they are in the best for his work on software-based recommender and position possible to get a job when they are personalisation systems, he co-founded two finished,” he says, noting that within the last year companies (ChangingWorlds and HeyStaks) and alone four people have moved on from his lab to he led two major SFI-funded centres, first the faculty positions at other universities. CLARITY Centre for Sensor Web Technologies “That’s not just because they had good and more recently he was interim CEO of the published papers on the research, they also they Insight Centre for Data Analytics, the largest ever were mentored into the new job - the mentorship SFI-funded industry-academic research centre. process isn’t over the moment the viva is done or He recognises the benefits of working in an the paper is published, it persists until they are in area where links with industry mean that research their next position.” and technology can be quickly evaluated. “I rarely distinguish between basic and applied research, Modelling respect it’s a continuum and each research project travels Professor Taylor describes credits his own along that continuum,” he explains. “And I am Dr Philip Campbell, Editor-in-Chief, Nature and Nature mentors with imparting those skills. After he fortunate to work in an area where the timelines are Publishing Group (left) with UCD Prof. Cormac Taylor studied pharmacology as an undergraduate, he such that we can cook our research for a shorter period of time and then out comes a fairly mature Sometimes, out of the blue, you get an email did a PhD with Professor Alan Baird and then idea and we can evaluate it.” or phone call that stops you in your tracks for all worked with Professor Sean P. Colgan at Harvard University, and later Professor Hugh Brady and the right reasons. For UCD researcher Professor Research, teaching and entrepreneurship Cormac Taylor, one of those moments happened Professor Catherine Godson encouraged him to when he checked his email to find a message from come back to UCD. “They were the people who With the new CEO of Insight, Oliver Daniels, Nature editor-in-chief Dr Philip Campbell. modelled that honour and respect for me,” says now in place, Professor Smyth remains a Director Professor Taylor, Professor of Cellular Professor Taylor. “You can’t learn it from a book or of the centre and is looking forward to continuing Physiology at UCD, had been nominated for a a course.” and building up his research. “I wasn’t at the right 2014 Nature Award for Mentoring in Science but He is now keen that new, large collaborative place to give up on the research and focus solely wasn’t anticipating a win. “As I opened it, I was research centres make sure to pay attention to that on leading centres, and now I’m looking forward to expecting the email to say ‘Thanks for participating’ critical relationship between mentor and student. getting back into more research - we are looking at but instead it was ‘Congratulations’,” he recalls. “In the older model, you were more or less in the new sources of information to mine for sentiment room with your principal investigator, and you had and opinion, it’s a really exciting time.” Honoured relationship day-to-day interactions,” he says. “My fear is that He will also be bumping up his teaching hours a certain degree of that opportunity for mentorship and seeking to nurture entrepreneurship among As it happens, Professor Taylor was in will be lost in the new model. That’s not to say it the PhD students and post-docs in Insight. “The Switzerland meeting a former post-doctoral can’t happen, but it needs attention.” calibre of students and post-docs we have is really student to finish a paper from their research, so it Prof Taylor received his award from Philip high and they move into jobs quickly when they was a fitting setting in which to hear that his Campbell at the Science Foundation Ireland leave - industry wants people with these skills in mentorship was being recognised. Summit in Athlone on November 3rd, and on the data science and analysis,” says Professor Smyth. “What makes it the best honour of all is that is same day Professor Barry Smyth was officially “And I want to ensure that our students and staff the students themselves and the post-docs who named as SFI Researcher of the Year 2014. have the entrepreneurial skills to go with the have been in the lab nominated me, that is the key scientific ability.” thing for me,” says Professor Taylor. Researcher of the Year He is based at UCD Conway Institute and has Professor Cormac Taylor and Professor Barry graduated 15 PhD students and supervised For Professor Smyth the call had come the Smyth were in conversation with journalist Claire around the same number of post-docs, all carrying previous week on the phone and he admits he was O’Connell, science writer and contributor to Silicon out research on how oxygen levels in cells links to excited and “bursting” to tell, but managed to keep Republic and The Irish Times inflammation, particularly in bowel diseases. mum.

7 | Winter 2014 News

UCD Business partners with One Young World Summit

The One Young World Summit took place in the Convention Centre in Dublin from 15-18th October, with breakout sessions hosted in 26 different venues around Dublin. Delegates attended from across the globe and keynote speakers included Sir Bob Geldof, former President of Ireland Mary Robinson and Kofi Annan. UCD/UC Davis (L-R): Prof. Orla Feeley, VP for Research, Innovation and Impact, UCD; Dr Paul Dodd, Associate Vice Chancellor for At the summit the most valuable young Research, UC Davis; Dr Catherine Woteki; Prof. Dolores O’Riordan, Director, UCD Institute of Food and Health; Prof. Bruce German, Director, Foods for Health Institute, UC Davis at the Irish Embassy in Washington D.C. talent from global and national companies, NGO’s, universities and other forward- thinking organisations are joined by world leaders, acting as the One Young World UCD and UC Davis hold joint inaugural Counsellors. This year Faculty members from UCD symposium on food and heath School of Business, Dr Maeve Houlihan, Dr Bruce Martin, Dr Colm McLaughlin and Inaugural John E. Kinsella Memorial Lecture held at the symposium Professor Andy Prothero hosted an external breakout session on October 17th in the IFSC UCD and University of California, Davis (UC areas of agriculture, food and health, in which entitled “We need to talk about ethics Davis) have signed an agreement of co-operation both lead internationally. because…..” to future develop education, research, innovation Prior to the signing of the agreement the The session began by introducing the and cultural links between the two institutions. UCD Institute of Food and Health and the UC President of Ireland’s Ethics Initiative launched The signing took place at the Irish Embassy in Davis Foods for Health Institute held the inaugural in February 2014 to discuss Irish students’ Washington D.C. on September 24th. John E. Kinsella Memorial lecture at the Embassy opinions of ethical issues, before turning its Speaking at the event, Professor Andrew J. to mark the outstanding contribution Professor focus to the “We need to talk about ethics Deeks, President of UCD said “Researchers and Kinsella made to food and health research during because…” campaign, in which Irish students academics at our institutions have been sharing his career. Recognising an individual whose captured and shared their own thoughts on ideas and working together for some time, but excellence in the area is renowned globally and why ethics are important. The session this agreement shows a real commitment on who has demonstrated the successful application concluded by translating ideas into actions - both sides to collaborate even further towards of science to positively impact on the economy, taking the ethical issues of importance raised common goals. It heralds a new stage of industry, policy or society. by the delegates by identifying practical steps cooperation between our two universities, a The lecture, which will be an annual event and committing to one personal action. stage which promises to be exciting and and hosted in alternative years on the two Six student volunteers from UCD Smurfit exhilarating for all”. campuses, was on this occasion delivered by Dr School brought a group of delegates He continued “Agreements of this nature do Catherine Woteki, Chief Scientist and Under attending the summit on a ‘One Thousand not exist in isolation. They are part of the wider Secretary for the Research, Education and Welcomes’ tour on the afternoon of October programme of partnerships between the US and Economics (REE) mission area at the U.S. 17th. The delegates were taken on a local’s Europe including the EU-US Science Technology Department of Agriculture. Dr Woteki is a leading tour of Dublin. They saw the real sights and Agreement and the US-Ireland R&D Partnership internationally renowned figure in the area of sounds of the city, not just the ones from which enable our countries to achieve more nutrition, food safety, and healthy research and tourist maps, but the authentic fabric of Irish together”. policy, who has applied her knowledge and life. UC Davis Chancellor Linda P. B. Katehi said expertise across academia, industry and Two UCD students were nominated to “This new agreement stands as a truly significant government. attend the Summit as delegates. Peter development, not just for our two institutions but Speaking after the event, Dr Woteki said “It Morrissey a 2014 graduate from UCD Michael also for education and research in food and was a privilege to give the first lecture named in Smurfit Graduate Business School’s MSc in health worldwide. By creating a more formal hour of my friend and colleague, John Kinsella.” Management Consultancy represented the collaborative relationship, we are building on Woteki added “John would be thrilled to see the school on behalf of Generation current collaborations and leveraging the advancements we’ve made in food and Accommodation with Cathal O’Dulachain, an expertise and effort of two of the finest universities agriculture research, and thanks to his great Ad Astra Scholar from UCD Lochlann Quinn in the world”. work, his legacy will continue to shape trends in School of Business representing the The agreement builds on established links agriculture”. undergraduate Business School. between both institutions, particularly in the

Database of Irish serving ‘Anzacs’ in first world war launched Charlie Flanagan TD, The Minister for to help researchers understand the contribution partnership of UCD; and a grant from the Irish Foreign Affairs and Trade recently launched a of the Irish to the Australian war effort. Government’s Emigrant Support Programme. It database of Irish-born individuals who served UCD worked in partnership with the is a true tribute to the Irish Anzacs and a gift to with the Australian forces in the First World War. Australian University of New South Wales researchers, family members of Anzac The publicly accessible database allows for (UNSW) to compile the project. The director of participants, and all us who possess an abiding Irish and Australian people to trace the records the project is Dr Jeff Kildea, Keith Cameron interest in our history,” said Minister Flanagan. of their relatives who served in the War, known Chair of Australian History at University College “One third of the Australian population today as “Anzacs” which refers to the “Australian Dublin. boasts Irish ancestry. Ongoing academic and New Zealand Army Corps” of the First “This pioneering work was made possible collaboration between UCD and UNSW, two World War. It also provides statistical information by the Global Irish Studies Centre of the superb institutions of learning, is representative University of New South Wales; the invaluable of the strength of our people-to-people ties.”

8 | Winter 2014 Feature A Greek Master Earlier this year, Frank McGuinness’ Electra McGuinness was at the Old Vic, London honoured with the Irish PEN Award for Outstanding Achievement in Irish Literature for his body of work, which includes seventeen original plays, eighteen adaptations, five volumes of poetry and one novel – Arimathea, which as shortlisted for the Bord Gáis Energy Book Awards Novel of the Year in 2013.

Kristen Scott Thomas features in Frank McGuinness’ charged adaptation of Electra. Photo credit Johan Persson

When “The Hanging Gardens” premiered in he has risen to be one of the greatest “I love the passion and precision of their the Abbey Theatre in 2013, playwright and contemporary English-language translators of writing. The very best Greek plays waste UCD Professor of Creative Writing, Frank Greek drama. From plays he has moved to nothing. There is a raw relentlessness in their McGuinness declared that “all plays are opera, writing the libretto for Sophocles’ plots and a wonderful integrity to their passion. Thebans – the Oedipus trilogy - as a single They knew everything about writing and we have about a family”. And with families, piece, which was staged at the Coliseum in not surpassed them. Shakespeare matches McGuinness believes “nothing is ever quite them in the exercise of searching for the what it seems. Nothing can ever be what it imagination but even he does not excel them. was.” The surface presentation of a family I stand in awe of them and I love to learn struggling with a father’s behaviour what little I can from working on these verses. brought on by his dementia is peeled back The Greeks provide the added benefit that they to reveal a deeper, long running tragedy. attract the best actors such as Kristin Scott Thomas. As a person she is funny and intelligent. “There is enormous grief in that. She is a very passionate woman – very maternal There is enormous release as well.” – who turns all these strengths to ferocious McGuinness explains as the audience is brought advantage in the play. Her performance brings a through the emotions of the various members of whole new meaning to mercurial as she reaches the family – anger and torment, constraint and right back to the damage done to Electra as and concern. girl. We see how the murder of her father has Frank McGuinness takes another family utterly traumatised this grown woman, making tragedy to the stage in his adaptation of her both vulnerable and violent. The killing of her Sophocles’ Electra – currently running at the Old mother in revenge for her father is plotted with Vic in London until 20 December 2014. In the scarifying exactitude and when she succeeds in classic Greek tale from c420BC of betrayal and her killing there is the terrible realisation that she murder, sacrifice and revenge, Electra, daughter has gained nothing but, she has the courage to of King Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, seeks to face that desolation as she has faced every other avenge her father’s murder by her mother and The Old Vic theatre, London, where Electra is currently running. disaster.” her lover, Aegisthus and to claim the Mycenean Photo credit Matt Humphrey Having been steeped in Greek tragedy for so throne. Obsessed and deranged, Electra – long it’s not surprising that Frank McGuinness played by Kristin Scott Thomas - spills her London last May/June. Once again, the family has decided to take his writing in a completely disturbed and disturbing emotions across the theme emerges and McGuinness explains how new direction He is currently working on a play stage, which is set in the round and brings the his own place of Donegal and its politics helped centred around country and western music. “I audience very, very close. Reinforced by her him tap into Theban’s themes of vengeance and have always loved country music. It is a far cry long lost brother, Orestes, confused by her murder. from Greek tragedy but is also full of very conflicted sister Chysothemis, and unhinged by “What I admire most in the Greeks is their powerful women. I am very happy to be doing her unrepentant mother, Electra brings the sense of economy – they achieve magnificence something different.” tragedy into the laps of the audience. so effectively with such subtlety. There is almost His new play will premier in 2016. Apart from his original works, Frank unseen means and the Greeks are superlatively McGuinness has built an international reputation adept at constructing the play.” McGuinness Frank McGuinness was in conversation with Eilis for his adaptations of Ibsen, Brecht and Chekhov shares his deep regard for the Greeks. O’Brien, Director of Communication, UCD. but from his first adaptation of Electra in 1997,

9 | Winter 2014 News

Pictured at UCD O’Brien Centre for Science is Dr Trish Gorman, prior to delivering her keynote address, which focused on how ‘harnessing productive disruption within teams can lead to successful innovation for businesses’, at the InterTradeIreland 2014 All-Island Innovation Conference. UCD honorary degree for racehorse trainer and breeder Jim Bolger

Legendary trainer and breeder of (l-r) Michelle Nolan, Law Society of Ireland; Brian McAufield, Office of the President; Dr Christopher Cowley, UCD School of Philosophy; thoroughbred racehorses, Jim Bolger Prof. Kimberley Brownlee, University of Warwick; Ken Murphy, Director General, Law Society of Ireland; Attracta O’Regan & Antoinette has been awarded an Honorary Degree Moriarty, Law Society of Ireland at the Conscience, Professionalism & The Lawyer event in The Law Society, Dublin. of Doctor of Science by UCD. Bolger has trained Group 1 winners in Europe The Conscience Project and Asia including winners of classic races like The UCD School of Philosophy ran a series of events exploring the place of conscience Epsom and Irish Derby, the Oaks and the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas. Uniquely he breeds many of in conscientious objection. The events, organized by Professor Maeve Cooke and the horses he trains. Dr Chris Cowley from the UCD School of Philosophy, are being held under the aegis “Jim’s extraordinary ability to operate and of the President of Ireland’s Ethics Initiative, with generous funding from UCD succeed at the highest level in both the highly President’s Office and UCD Clinton Institute. They focus on certain inter-related competitive breeding and racing industries is phenomena that are currently attracting significant attention globally, in particular unmatched by any single person,” said Dr whistle-blowing and civil disobedience. Emmeline Hill, UCD School of Agriculture and The questions raised are highly relevant to example, by religious believers who refuse Food Science, who read the citation at the the contemporary Irish context. The worldwide certain kinds of medical treatment for conferring ceremony. financial crash of 2008 and the related banking themselves or their dependents. Jim Bolger now employs more than 120 crisis in Ireland has exposed many problems The investigation into these forms of people and trains over 200 horses each year. with existing regulatory structures and regimes; conscience-based protest has two parts. One Since 1977 he has trained more than 2,500 there is also a sense that many people knew part seeks to present a clear picture of winners and currently holds the record for the that their new economic prosperity was conscience-based objection in the greatest number of flat race winners in a season. ethically dubious but were reluctant to speak contemporary context. The other part proposes out, for complex reasons that require further a reconfiguration of the concept of conscience investigation. Parallel to this are stories of with a view to overcoming the subjectivist bias whistleblowers like Edward Snowden, who predominant in the contemporary academic have taken certain risks to step out of line, literature and establishing a basis for apparently to highlight systemic injustice. It is distinguishing between enabling and disabling, unclear to what extent their protests were constructive and destructive, forms of conscience-driven: this, too, is one of the democratic dissent. questions they aim to investigate. The events took place throughout October Conscience may also be an important and November and featured lectures and panel factor in civil disobedience, for example the discussions with academics from across the recent blocking of the runway in Shannon world including Professor Kimberly Brownlee, airport in protest against the perceived University of Warwick; Uriel Abulof, Princeton collusion by the Irish government in US war University; Robin Celikates, University of campaigns. Building on these explorations the Amsterdam; Anita Chari, University of Oregon; Pictured at the conferring: Racehorse trainer and breeder, project will also explore acts of protest in other Frances Olsen, UCLA and William Dr Jim Bolger with Dr Emmeline Hill and Prof. Alex Evans, contexts where conscience is invoked, for Scheurerman, University of Indiana. UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science.

10 | Winter 2014 News

UCD Sutherland School of Law hosts XI European Regional Congress

UCD Sutherland School of Law, in Professor Keith Puttick, University of conjunction with the Employment Law Staffordshire; and Professor Alexander Colvin, Association of Ireland, hosted the XI Cornell University. The Congress programming was European Regional Congress of the described by the President of the International International Society for Labour and Social Society, Professor Adrian Goldin, as exhibiting Security Law, from the 17th - 19th “remarkable theoretical and conceptual September. richness as well as the high scientific level in its moderators, presenters and discussants”. The HRH Princess Maha Charkri Sirindorn of Thailand and Mr Michael Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Jobs, Clarke, Dairy Herd Manager, UCD Lyons Research Farm Enterprise and Innovation opened the Congress also benefitted from the active conference. Over 260 delegates from nearly presence and participation of members of the from nearly 40 countries listened to keynote European Association of Labour Court Judges HRH Princess presentations delivered by Professor Keith and the International Association of Labour Ewing, King’s College London; Professor Law Journals, both of whom held their annual Maha Chakri Sylvaine Laulom, Université Lumière Lyon 2; meetings in UCD around the Congress dates. Sirindhorn of Thailand visits UCD

Her Royal Highness Maha Chakri Sirindorn of Thailand recently visited UCD’s Lyons Research Farm to discover how the facility is used to support teaching and research at the UCD College of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine. To mark the occasion UCD announced a scholarship in the Princess’ name. UCD Lyons Research Farm consists of 228 hectares of land; 151 hectares is a grazing area for dairy and beef cattle, sheep and horses, with around 62 hectares used for tillage. Typically some 1,000 animals are housed on the farm. Earlier this year, UCD announced the construction of a new Dairy Research and Education Facility at Lyons Research Farm to support research programmes in dairy production including genetics, nutrition and herd health management. The facility is part of a €2 million plus investment supported by Dairymaster, Devenish Nutrition, FBD, Glanbia, Munster Cattle Breeding Group, Progressive Genetics and the Irish Holstein Friesian Breeders Association. It will serve as an international showcase for the best in Irish dairy technology. UCD agricultural science degree students can achieve 17% of the credits for their degree course on the farm, with the farm providing a Pauline Rudd, who recently received an Honorary Doctor of Medicine award from the Sahlgrenska Academy. Dr Rudd’s hat, made for her personally by a French milliner using 19th century equipment and inscribed inside with her name, is the historic Swedish hat of Liberty with basis for 11% of the credits required to ancient Swedish engravings on the gold ring. graduate with a degree in veterinary science. Systems Biology Ireland and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory sign memorandum of understanding

In October 2014 Professor Walter Kolch, EMBL is Europe’s flagship laboratory for the Currently, the limitations of research progress Director, Systems Biology Ireland (SBI) and life sciences, with more than 80 independent arise from data interpretation rather than data Professor Iain Mattaj, Director General of groups operating across five sites. It is an inter- production. EMBL researchers have been governmental organisation funded by public leading the way in mapping and interpreting the the European Molecular Biology research monies from its member states and genome using model organisms. SBI researchers Laboratory (EMBL) signed a Memorandum enters into similar agreements/MoUs with select are using computational models to analyse of Understanding (MoU) with the objective institutions in associated member states, where human biological processes in an effort to of enhancing cooperation between the two parties believe that there is potential for further understand diseases like cancer and develop institutes. scientific cooperation. diagnostics and therapies that are tailored to the This is the first MoU agreement signed EMBL have pioneered a model for successful individual patient. between EMBL and an Irish institution and molecular biology research that places emphasis Working together, the two institutions hope acknowledges mutual interest in potentially on dynamic, highly interactive and interdisciplinary to build complementary research activities establishing a formal EMBL partnership at SBI in research groups; comprehensive training through joint projects and exchange of UCD. programmes as well as the latest technologies knowledge, data and personnel. and methods.

11 | Winter 2014 News

It offered participants a chance to develop a ‘Be the Change’ deeper understanding of global justice issues and the causes of inequality world-wide. Workshop areas included content on; social with UCD Volunteers entrepreneurship, practical campaigning, media engagement, a profiling of social movements Overseas and an exciting workshop called game changers UCD Volunteers Overseas with funding and play makers. from Irish Aid, offered students, staff and The course was run by UCDVO in alumni the opportunity to participate in ‘Be the partnership with Comhlámh and combined Change’, a 6-week introductory skills-based inputs from experts and experienced activists Dr Conor Shanhan and Dr Patrick Jackman, UCD School course, aimed at those interested in activism working in Ireland with a focus on participants’ of Biosystems Engineering, winners of the UCD Agri- Food Sprint Programme, with Siobhan Wall, Associate and awareness raising in Ireland and overseas. own interests. Director Corporate Finance, Goodbody Stockbrokers, a member of the judging panel UCD Agri-Food Sprint Award winner announced

An early-stage business idea focused on using wireless sensors to monitor environmental conditions in chicken barns to improve poultry production has been declared winner of the UCD Agri-Food Sprint Programme. The UCD Agri-Food Sprint Programme is a one-day initiative designed and delivered by NovaUCD in collaboration with the UCD Earth Institute. It aims to encourage the development of commercial outputs arising from UCD Agri- Pictured at the signing ceremony in Beijing are Gerard Keenan, Executive Chairman, Keenan, Prof. Li Ming, Director of the Institute of Animal Sciences and Prof. Alex Evans, Dean, UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science. Also included in the photograph are Food research by engaging with UCD Ambassador of Ireland, H.E. Paul Kavanagh, Minister for Agriculture, Food, the Marine & Defence, Simon Coveney, Minister of researchers at an earlier stage in the Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China, Han Changfu, Director General of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Wang Zhongli commercialisation process. and Director General International Cooperation of Ministry of Agriculture, Wang Ying. Over 70 million chickens are produced annually in Ireland alone and the poultry industry is highly competitive, with very tight UCD and Keenan join the Chinese profit margins. A key factor impacting poultry production is the environmental conditions Academy of Agricultural Sciences to (e.g. temperature, humidity, air speed and gas concentrations) in which the chickens live. If these environmental conditions are non-ideal, form the China-Ireland Dairy Science the chickens will eat and drink less impacting their weight gain. and Technology Centre The winning business idea which emerged from the UCD Agri-Food Sprint Programme An agreement was signed between UCD, Richard Keenan & Co. Ltd, and the Chinese involves placing wireless sensors in chickens’ Academy of Agricultural Sciences to join forces to form the China-Ireland Dairy Science living spaces to record the environmental and Technology Centre was announced during a trade mission to China led by Simon conditions. Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Real-time spatial and temporal data is recorded and reported to a cloud repository The tri-partite agreement will bring closer expanding its dairy sector, with the quotas being via 3G technology. Any deviations between cooperation between the parties and is an removed in 2015. As both countries face the recorded data and acceptable important strategic development between China challenges and opportunities in dairy expansion, environmental limits can be quickly detected; and Ireland. The main goal is to improve feeding it is an ideal time to strengthen the relationship the poultry producer informed who can then efficiency, animal health and reduced and understanding between China and Ireland’s take the necessary remedial actions. This will environmental impact of dairy farming. dairy sectors. help to ensure optimal environmental At a signing ceremony in Beijing, witnessed The centre will play an important role conditions for poultry production resulting in by Minister Coveney and Minister Hanfu at the delivering and extending technology and know- higher chicken yields. Ministry of Agriculture, Minister Coveney stated: how to farms in China that will improve their Wholesalers will also be able to use the “The announcement of the new China-Ireland efficiency and profitability. Keenan technology is data to monitor producers in terms of Dairy Science and Technology Centre is exciting a priority technology for China in this regard. production quality. and very timely. This centre will encourage Gerard Keenan, Executive Chairman of Keenan The promoters of this early-stage business programmes of exchange and collaboration in stated: “The centre is a significant strategic idea are Professor Shane Ward, the principal areas of great importance to both countries as development and it underlines the potential investigator, Dr Conor Shanahan, a we face the challenges and opportunities synergy between Irish technology and know- postdoctoral research fellow, and Dr Patrick presented by rapidly growing dairy farming how as part of a solution to China’s food security Jackman, a research scientist, in the Smart sectors” and production challenges. We look forward to Systems Unit within the UCD School of He continued “Ireland’s involvement in this bringing sustainable improvement together to Biosystems Engineering, whose research has venture through Keenans and UCD is testament China’s dairy sector.” been funded by Science Foundation Ireland. to the calibre and professional esteem both Excited by the potential research The other UCD researchers who took part organisations are rightfully held in. I wish the opportunities, Professor Alex Evans, Dean, UCD in the UCD Agri-Food Sprint Programme new centre every success for the future and look School of Agriculture & Food Science noted: were; Professor Nick Holden, UCD School of forward to learning of its outcomes and “Ireland is very proud of its long tradition of cattle Biosystems Engineering; Dr Angela Feechan, achievements over the coming years”. production and UCD is excited by the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science China currently produces 38 billion litres of opportunities that this Dairy Technology Centre and Dr Aoife O’Gorman, UCD Institute of milk per annum and aims to increase production will bring to advance the efficiency and quality of Food and Health. to 60 billion litres by 2020. Ireland is also dairy production for both Ireland and China.”

12 | Winter 2014 Feature MAPPING

Dr Máire Ní Chiosáin from the UCD School of Irish, Celtic Studies, Irish Folklore & Linguistics A pioneering new project THE involving a UCD Linguistics researcher is shedding light on how the sounds of Irish are produced and how they can vary across dialects. SOUNDS OF IRISH

We produce speech sounds effortlessly. with Ní Chiosáin on projects comparing Irish with asked of them. The ultrasound probe gets a But we are not very good at knowing how Russian (“Russian, one of the world’s most reflection that shows the shape and movement of precisely we produce particular sounds. widely-spoken languages, has the same kind of the tongue. The most challenging part, says Ní Now, groundbreaking research by a team contrast in the consonant system as Irish, a Chiosáin, is processing and interpreting the minority language – although they have little else information. “It’s a reasonably new technology for including Dr. Máire Ní Chiosáin, a lecturer in common,” Ní Chiosáin notes as an aside). linguistic research, and techniques and methods in Linguistics at University College Dublin, Another collaborator, Professor Ryan Bennett for interpreting the data are still being refined. It may help answer this question for Irish now at Yale University also works on the syntax takes hours and hours. The videos are hand consonants. and prosody of Irish with UCSC Professor Jim labelled and a subset of individual frames are then McCloskey (formerly of UCD) who is one of the analysed.” It’s all down to an innovative use of technology world’s foremost experts on Irish language syntax. which uses a portable ultrasound device to The results to date for Connemara Irish show capture the tongue movements made when “The current project came together when that regardless of context or consonant type, pronouncing certain sounds. they were joined by Professor Grant McCuire, a when producing a slender consonant, the front of phonetician at UCSC, who used a start-up grant the tongue is higher in the mouth while, for the “The project is working with native Irish to buy the portable ultrasound device,” says Ní broad consonants, the back of the tongue rises. speakers to measure the differences in how they Chiosáin. “It was decided that Irish would be a form broad and slender consonants,” says Ní good focus for the research.” “This project will help us understand how we Chiosáin. Irish is a useful test language for this achieve contrast in a sound system of language. technology because every consonant comes in The collaborative project - ‘An ultrasound How different do sounds need to be to sound two varieties, those traditionally called ‘slender’ investigation of Irish palatalization’ - was awarded different? We are exploring the parameters of the consonants and those traditionally called ‘broad’ a US National Science Foundation research grant possible sounds and variations within and across consonants. A good example is the pair of words earlier this year. dialects, which entails looking at how the three bó (cow) and beo (live), where the only real main Irish language dialects differ; speakers difference in pronounciation is that the former is The research will help provide better achieve the same contrast but in different ways.” pronounced with a broad b sound and the latter information to anyone – from infants through to with a slender b. adults, native speakers to newcomers - learning the Irish language. Notoriously, Irish textbooks Celtic languages, which include Irish Why does this matter? “A full description of have struggled to explain how speakers can Gaelic, Scots Gaelic, Manx, Cornish, Welsh the sound system of a language as it is spoken articulate these differences, but Ní Chiosáin says and Breton, also share certain peculiarities, involves looking at the full inventory of the sounds this research could change that. Linguists have says Ní Chiosáin. “They all have initial in that language and how this differs from English been working on the contrasts between Irish consonant mutations. For example, the verb or other languages, says Ní Chiosáin. “The broad consonants for years and have known how to ‘cur’ (to put) changes to “chuir” in the past and slender distinction we are documenting and describe them impressionistically, though tense, which alters the sound; this is not very analysing is not found in many other languages. sometimes imprecisely. The current project will common in languages. There are good Even in better-studied languages having this kind add valuable imaging data. of contrast, such as Russian, it is inadequately reasons for this, but what is really interesting documented with imaging technology. We are Another major driver for the researchers is to when we are studying languages is that we also preserving crucial data about the various record the traditional dialects. As Ní Chiosáin get to see the full extent of what is possible.” dialects of the Irish language.” notes “Irish is now predominantly spoken as a second language, and it is changing, largely as a The veil of mystery around how we learn and The project is a sterling example of how Irish result of the influence of English. Some of the form languages is slowly being lifted. “Ultrasound social scientists can produce valuable data by contrasts in the language are challenging for is starting to be used as a linguistic tool in speech working in partnership with academics on the learners to fully master. Others are declining even and language therapy to provide immediate visual other side of the world. Ní Chiosáin is working in the traditional strongholds of the language. “ feedback, but this is a new use for it in a rapidly with researchers at the University of California evolving area,” says Ní Chiosáin. Santa Cruz (UCSC) and Yale University on this Volunteers for the research are fitted with a metal helmet which keeps the ultrasound device project. One collaborator, Professor of Linguistics Dr Máire Ní Chiosáin was in conversation with stable; then the speakers produce the words Jaye Padgett of UCSC, has previously worked Peter McGuire, a journalist with the Irish Times

13 | Winter 2014 Books

After he retired from public life, W.T. Cosgrave, the first leader of The Irish Free State remained for decades one of the forgotten figures of Irish history. According to a new biography, Judging W.T. Cosgrave, he did not deserve such neglect. Rather he deserves much of the credit for the stable and democratic Books political system that took root after the storms of insurrection, guerrilla conflict and civil war. “He headed the first fully independent Irish administration, and he presided over a slow but steady expansion of the freedom provided by the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921.” Using sources not previously consulted, in Judging W.T. Cosgrave, UCD Emeritus Professor Michael Laffan examines the political life of the man and gives the reader a deep sense of his career as local politician, rebel, minister, head of Building Technology Transfer government for almost ten years and opposition leader. within Research Universities Judging W.T. Cosgrave is the third book in the ‘Judging’ series published by the Royal Irish – An Entrepreneurial Academy. The other two in the series were also Approach written by University College Dublin academics: Judging Dev: A reassessment of the life and Editors, Prof Thomas J. Allen, Emeritus Are the Irish Different? legacy of Éamon de Valera by Professor Diarmaid Professor of Management, MIT Sloan School Ferriter, UCD School of History and Archives; of Management and Dr Rory P. O’Shea, UCD Editor, Professor Tom Inglis and Judging Lemass: The Measure of the Man UCD School of Sociology by Emeritus Professor Tom Garvin, UCD School Quinn School of Business, University College of Politics and International Relations. Dublin Manchester University Presss Cambridge University Press Like many other nationalities the Irish often pride themselves on being different. But in a Academic entrepreneurship has become highly globalised society what makes the Irish one of the most widely studied topics in the different? Is it that the Irish were so Catholic for entrepreneurship literature. This book is an early so long? Is it that they would never adopt the systematic attempt to analyse critically the manners and habits of their colonial masters? factors that lie behind the creation of successful Maybe the difference about the Irish is shown in business spin-offs from university research. In it how the country’s economy went from boom to a group of academic thought-leaders in the field bust and back again so quickly? of technology transfer examine a number of This collection of twenty-three short essays areas critical to the promotion of start-ups on explores the nature of contemporary Irish culture campus. and society, and the transformations that have Through a series of case studies, this book taken place over the last fifty years. Each author examines the current policies, structures, offers insights into the ways in which Ireland can program initiatives, and practices of twelve be seen and understood and what it means to international universities and R&D institutes to be Irish. They challenge the traditional issues develop a normative model of successful that have been addressed in Irish studies and academic entrepreneurship. It provides the the methods that have been used. reader with a coherent framework for The essays are written by scholars from understanding the factors driving the within the human sciences who are international Prisoners, Solitude and Time entrepreneurial behaviour inside universities; experts in their disciplines. The topics covered analyses how university strategy, structures and include the nature of Irish nationalism and Professor Ian O’Donnell reward systems can be designed to foster capitalism, the Irish political elite, the differences UCD Sutherland School of Law university entrepreneurship; and describes and in the Irish family, the nature of Irish Catholicism, assesses a range of entrepreneurial programs Oxford University Press the upsurge in immigration, the Irish diaspora, and leadership initiatives used to promote the Irish language, sport and music. Ian O’Donnell presents an exceptionally creation of start-ups on campus. The aim is to researched study, evaluating the degree to help universities enhance the quality of their which prisoners can withstand the rigours of commercialization programs. As such, this book solitude and how they experience the passing of will serve as a valuable resource for university time. Particular focus is paid to the prison research administrators, technology experience, which has seldom been considered commercialization officers, and researchers by academic commentators. working on innovation, entrepreneurship, and To date little attention has been given to the technology. elements relating to surviving prolonged solitary confinement. The book assesses the impact of long term isolation and contrasts the solitude of the prisoner experience with those who have found themselves in solitary confinement through no choice of their own, such as hostages, and those who have sought out institutional solitariness, such as certain religious orders. The aim of which is to simulate interest in the prisoners’ psychological world, an area that has been somewhat neglected. Prisoners, Solitude and Time builds upon Correction Judging W.T. Cosgrave – The prisoner stories, academic critiques, official Foundation of the Irish State publications, statistics and other data alongside In the book review of Death, Burial and the personal visits and interactions to prisons Afterlife that featured in the autumn issue of including Mountjoy in Dublin, Pentonville in UCD Emeritus Professor Michael Laffan UCD Today we omitted the full academic title London and Eastern State Penitentiary in for Deirdre O’Grady, Emeritus Professor of Royal Irish Academy Philadelphia to present a new framework for Italian and Comparative Studies UCD. understanding the prison experience.

14 | Winter 2014 News

Former Unilever CEO to Chair UCD Smurfit School Advisory Board

UCD Graduate and former Unilever CEO, Niall FitzGerald has assumed the Chair of the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School (l-r) Anna Visser and Lisa Phelan from the organising team, Prof. Kathleen Lynch, Chair of Equality Studies, School of Social Justice; Niall Fitzgerald, new Chair Mr Aodhán ÓRíordáin TD, Minister of State for Equality, New Communities and Culture, Ebun Akpoveta, organising team, Dr Judy of the UCD Michael Smurfit Advisory Board, Walsh, Head of UCD School of Social Justice; Prof. Colin Scott, Principal, UCD College of Human Sciences at the School of Social Graduate Business School Justice Conference in the UCD Sutherland School of Law Advisory Board as of October 2014. Fitzgerald, a UCD Bachelor of Commerce Dr Judy Walsh, Head of the UCD School of graduate, has had a distinguished career. He Graduates Social Justice chaired the opening session and was Chair and CEO of Unilver from 1996- welcomed key speakers including Aodháin O 2004 and has also chaired a broad range of Riordáin TD, Minister of State for Equality, New companies and public bodies including debate injustice Communities and Culture; Mr Vincent Browne, Reuters, Hakluyt, the Nelson Mandela Legacy Broadcaster and Journalist; Professor Colin Trust, International Business Council, Scott, Principal of the UCD College of Human Conference Board, Investment Climate in Ireland Sciences and Professor of EU Regulation & Governance; Cathleen O’Neill, Education Facility for Africa, British Museum, the The UCD School of Social Justice Transatlantic Business Dialogue (TAB) and Coordinator with SAOL; Professor Peader Kirby, conference ‘Challenging Injustice in Advertising Association. Professor Emeritus Public Policy and Ireland: learning from the past actions Speaking about his new role, Fitzgerald International Relations, University of Limerick; said, “UCD Smurfit School should aspire to for the future’ took place in UCD on Professor John Baker, Professor Emeritus, UCD be an international leader and I hope my October 4th. School of Social Justice and Professor Kathleen experience will help to raise the level of The conference, an initiative of the graduate Lynch, Chair of Equality Studies, UCD School of ambition and impact”. students of the school, took stock of the role of Social Justice. Commenting on the new Chair, Professor research and activism in achieving social justice Alongside the key speakers there were Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, Dean UCD Business, in Ireland over recent decades and pointed the some very interesting graduate presentations said “We welcome Niall on board and look way to future challenges and opportunities. Ten including Lianne Quigely, who questioned the forward to working with him as Chairman over workshops took place alongside a panel recognition of sign language in Europe; Lisa the coming years. His appointment reflects discussion, drawing from presenters experience Phelan, on voter turnout at elections and the our international ambition for our students. and knowledge of advocating for greater social responsibility of the state in mobilizing all voters Like Niall, they must compete with graduates justice in Ireland. and Ebun Akpoveta who spoke about racial of the best business schools in the world – With the run up to the 25th anniversary of stratification in the labour market and its and therefore so do we. He will serve as a Equality Studies and Women’s studies, as well influence on the economic outcome of migrants. role model for our students and his insights as the 10th anniversary of the formation of the Attendees were encouraged to challenge and experience will be invaluable to us as we UCD School of Social Justice, the conference the growing levels of inequality both locally and seek to further develop the School’s reputation mixed theory and practice to bring together a internationally. There was so much enthusiasm and reach.” broad range of people and organisations generated at the conference that the hashtag involved in the fight against justice. ‘#ssjconf2014’ trended on the day. Multidisciplinarity at Work: The Authentic Project

UCD is leading a major multidisciplinary project entitled Autonomic Home Area Network Infrastructure (AUTHENTIC). Within this project both technical and social science researchers work closely together alongside their industry partners. The UCD partners of the project include Dynamics Lab at the UCD Geary Institute and CLARITY (School of Computer Science and Informatics) with other scientific partners based in Cork including Tyndall institute, Cork Constrained Computation Centre, Nimbus (CIT) and University College Cork (INSIGHT Centre). AUTHENTIC is aimed at developing and Homes can set goals for energy households incentives to conserve this, future analysing a new home area network. Pilot conservation and the system will provide them applications are vast. The system could be homes are deployed with a number of sensors with information about the achievement of used in a smart living environment where it measuring light level, temperature, humidity these goals and behaviour suggestions and learns from the observed routines how to and occupancy of a room and electricity they regularly complete a survey to collect data automatically control things like lighting and consumption of a number of appliances. The about their energy awareness and behaviour. temperature or could be used in ambient data is wirelessly collected and sent to a Within the Dynamics Lab both the sensor and assisted living offering assistance when central database at UCD. Households get a survey data is analysed and information about required. tablet and an app on which they can view their routines related to energy consumption is The current AUTHENTIC implementation is energy consumption. This data can be extracted which can be used to further tailor based on the cooperation between different represented in financial, energy or the behavioural suggestion given to the disciplines, however, future extensions of the environmental units and comparisons can be households. project could include an even wider range of made between different periods. Although the system is currently applied to contributing disciplines. measure energy consumption and give the

15 | Winter 2014 News

UCD President Confers Community Drug Programme Awards

UCD President Andrew J. Deeks recently Since 2010, twenty students have progressed conferred Diploma and Certificate awards onto the degree programme, with ten of these on the latest cohort of students graduating completing, or currently undertaking post- graduate study. One progression student from the Community Partnership Drug commenced her PhD study this year at UCD. Programme at UCD. The programme, run With an annual in-take of around eighty by the UCD School of Applied Social students, a key feature of the courses on the Science, in partnership with Merchants Community Partnership Drug Programme is the Quay Ireland and Urrús, Ballymun, offers wide range of experience and background of the Certificate and Diploma level courses in each cohort. Modules are designed to utilise the UCD Prof. John O’Doherty who was awarded DSc drug intervention and community work. life and professional experience of the students, while also allowing for the different range of UCD Professor The courses are specifically aimed at educational levels, from early school leavers to individuals who wish to work with and address students with post-graduate awards. This drug and alcohol issues in Ireland and beyond, makes for a rich learning environment as John O’Doherty and are aimed at a range of students, from students collaborate to discuss and develop professionals to those who have experienced strategies, skills and intervention approaches to awarded with DSc educational disadvantage and drug issues in working with problematic drug use for individuals, their communities. families and communities. A unique aspect of the Community Professor John O’Doherty from the UCD As noted by President Deeks, the programme Partnership Drug Programme at UCD, is the School of Agriculture and Food Science was ‘transforms lives’, both for the graduates progression route for students onto the second awarded with a Doctor of Science (DSc) themselves and for people in the communities year of the Bachelor of Social Science on degree at the UCD Agricultural Sciences where the graduates apply their newly gained completion of either of the Diploma programmes. conferring ceremony on September 1st. skills. Professor O’Doherty presented his work under the title “Nutrition of farm animals for improved growth, health and environment”. In Student Summer Research Awards 2014 his work he presented a substantial volume of work addressing a variety of applied nutritional Each year the Student Summer Research participating projects presented their work to an strategies directed towards improving the Awards (SSRA) take place whereby audience comprising of a judging panel, chaired efficiency and cost of pig production worldwide. undergraduate students undertake an eight- by Professor Ronan O’Connell, UCD School of The degree of Doctor of Science is a week supervised laboratory, clinical or patient- Medicine and Medical Science; academic and higher doctorate and is awarded to scholars advocate project in Ireland or at one of the UCD clinical staff, classmates, friends and family who have, over a sustained period of time, School of Medicine & Medical Science’s partner members. published a substantial body of ground institutions. The programme brings to life the After a consistently high standard of oral breaking and influential work in a field of commitment to foster a passion for enquiry, presentations and project defence, the judges specialisation and who have achieved discovery and investigative research in our named Caroline Moran as the overall Gold outstanding distinction internationally in that students. Medal winner with her project titled ‘Assessment field. One of the examiners of Professor SSRA 2014 culminated in a highly of the Development of Neutralising Antibodies O’Doherty’s work quoted “Professor successful awards evening in the UCD in Mice Following Administration of O’Doherty’s work is of international importance Fitzgerald Debating Chamber on October 2nd . F/Hn-Lentivirus.’ and significance”. Eight finalists selected from over sixty

Picture - left to right: Dr Nao Kodate (UCD), Prof. Jane Grimson (HIQA/Trinity College Dublin), Prof. Michelle D’Arcy (TCD), Prof. Junko Kato (UT), Dr Sebastian Dellepiane (Strathclyde University, Scotland), Dr Michelle Norris (UCD), Prof. Nobuhiro Hiwatari (UT), Dr Tom P. Hardiman (Chairperson, Chester Beatty Library), Prof. Niamh Hardiman (UCD), H.E. Japanese Ambassador Mr Chihiro Atsumi, UCD President Prof. Andrew J. Deeks, Prof. Tony Fahey (UCD), Prof. Shin Ushiro (Kyushu University/Japan Council for Quality Health Care), Prof. Colin Scott (Principal, UCD College of Human Sciences) and Dr Chiaki Sato (UT) at the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle.. 2nd Ireland-Japan Social Science Symposium

Four Japanese academics came to Dublin Tokyo (UT) with the first Symposium taking place The event attracted many participants to present at the second Ireland-Japan place at UT in June. including Irish academics, practitioners and Social Science Symposium (IrJaSS) at the UCD President Professor Andrew J. Deeks postgraduate students from the UCD Public opened the event, followed by a speech from the Policy Programme. It was hosted by the UCD Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle on Japanese Ambassador Mr Chihiro Atsumi. The Public Policy Programme (College of Human 19th September 2014. UCD Taiko (Japanese drums) team also Sciences), with support from the Embassy of The IrJaSS is a one-year project, led by Dr performed at the opening ceremony. Japan in Ireland, the Chester Beatty Library, Nao Kodate , UCD School of Applied Social This second Symposium focused on policy Experience Japan, UCD International and UCD Science and funded by the Japan Foundation. issues surrounding taxation, medical innovation Media Services. It was initiated by UCD and the University of and regulation of quality and safety in health care in Ireland, Japan and Europe.

16 | Winter 2014 News

Fresh from their ‘European Water Innovation SME’ and InterTradeIreland ‘Innovation of the Year’ award wins, OxyMem picked up the overall award at the 2014 Intellectual Property Awards. Pictured are (l-r) Prof. Eoin Casey, UCD School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, and co-founder, OxyMem with Ellen Szymanski, Senior Director, International IP, Global IP Centre, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Joint MDP Faculty Delegation International to Columbia University conference on A joint Masters in Development Practice (MDP) programme between UCD and TCD is moving from strength to strength as one of the leading sustainable development postgraduate modern sacred programmes in the global family of development practice educational initiatives. In September a joint delegation of MDP and chaired seven plenary sessions by both architecture in faculty and students from both universities took faculty and students. part in the organisation and presentation of UCD MDP faculty member involvement Germany and research at the 2nd Annual United Nations included Dr Conor Galvin, UCD School of Sustainable Development Solutions Network Education, who chaired the two plenary sessions (SDSN) International Conference on Sustainable for Early Childhood Development, Education, and Ireland Development Practice (ICSDP). Transition to Work and Dr Conor Buggy, UCD Hundreds of development practitioners, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and The UCD School of Art History and researchers, faculty members and students from Population Science, who presented the initial Cultural Policy hosted an international all over the world gathered to present and discuss findings of a climate change awareness project in conference on modern and sacred their research on evidence-based solutions for Africa currently being undertaken through the architecture in Germany and Ireland in the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda. MDP programme. MDP students Ms Julia Newman House, UCD from the 9-11th The conference was organised over eight streams Schroer and Mr Bryan Lee took on significant October. The conference was funded of four daily plenary sessions linked to the UN roles in the organisation of student focused by the Goethe Institut Dublin millennium development goals, with over 130 plenary sessions and the conference social media alongside seed funding from UCD individual research projects presented over the giving them both invaluable practical experience Research and the UCD College of course of two days. of research conference organisation. Professor Paul Wash, UCD School of Politics, The activities of the conference highlighted Arts and Celtic studies. opened and closed the conference and chaired the strengths of the only MDP programme that is The event was co-organised by the conference academic steering committee. coordinated as a joint effort by two leading Kathleen James-Chakraborty, Professor of The Irish MDP delegation was by far the most universities, and cemented the joint UCD-TCD Art History in UCD and Lisa Godson who involved international team and presented four MDP programme as a leader in this field. lectures on visual culture at NCAD and individual research projects from faculty members attracted a large audience. Keynote speeches were delivered by Amandus Dr David Coyle at the Department of Computer Sattler of Munich, the architect of the Herz Pesky gNATs Science, University of Bristol, with Bristol based Jesu church, widely recognised as one of game developer Opposable Games. Europe’s most important new sacred Pesky gNATs is a world leader in using buildings, and Niall McLaughlin, a graduate Wins the 2014 technology to transform the delivery of mental of UCD who now practices in London, and health interventions for children, comprising of whose Bishop Edward King Chapel in three components. Oxfordshire was shortlisted by the Royal SPARKie “Good” Firstly, a computer game that delivers a Institute of British Architects for last year’s child friendly Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Stirling Prize. Award intervention played in session with a mental Eleven other talks were delivered by health professional. With multiple levels, each scholars based in Belfast, Berlin, Cologne, On October 30th the 2014 “Good” SPARKie level delivers a single component of a Dresden and Dublin. These chronicled how award was awarded to a computer game customized developmentally appropriate CBT new ideas about scared architecture based mental health intervention for children intervention and is designed to be the equivalent spread from Germany to Ireland and were called “Pesky gNATs”. The SPARKies of a standard therapy session in length to play disseminated from there to Africa, about Secondly, a mobile app which has weekly how they influenced synagogue and acknowledge the very best technology CBT tasks, mindfulness and relaxation skills. mosque architecture in the two countries, people, products and companies linked to Finally, there is an on-line training suite for and about the adaptive re-use of both the West of England. They include a “Good” mental health professionals to train in how to historic and modern churches as well as award for the best use of technology for the use the programme. synagogues to serve other purposes. greater good of us all. Pesky gNATs will be officially released in Pesky gNATs was co-designed by Dr Gary early 2015 with a range of games tailored to O’Reilly at the UCD School of Psychology and different mental health problems experienced by young people.

17 | Winter 2014 News

An image depicting a family of Daphnia, collected from the Collaboration lake at University College Dublin, has been selected as the overall winner of the with UCD wins 2014 UCD Images of Research Competition. The winning image was taken by Karl Citi a Corporate Gaff, a research technician in the UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science Social Responsibility Award

On September 18th, Citi won the ‘Excellence in Community’ award at the annual Chambers Ireland Corporate Social Responsibility 2014 Awards, for Social Farming Across Borders Conference its collaboration with UCD. Since 2011 Citi Foundation has been The Social Farming Across Borders (SoFAB) conference took place in Belfast Castle on working with UCD Access and Lifelong September 10th. The conference marked the end of a three year pilot project that involved Learning, enabling the unit to develop the Future You Mentoring Programme. 10 farm families in Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland. Future You is an integral part of The SoFAB Project was funded through the learning disabilities, through engaging in the day the access outreach programme which European Regional Development Fund and led to day tasks associated with farming first hand. aims to empower and support school pupils by UCD’s School of Agriculture in partnership It also helped connect with communities, from socio-economically disadvantaged with Queens University Belfast (QUB) and Leitrim providing a vital link between well-being and rural communities and students with a disability to Development Company. life in Ireland. “It demonstrates that social farming progress to and succeed at third level. The SoFAB Project delivered almost 1,600 has the potential to make a difference to the lives UCD students from Tallaght, Ballyfermot, person days of social farming experience to the of so many people whether it is someone Clondalkin and Crumlin are trained as 66 people who used the service between April recovering from illness or a farm family opened mentors and in pairs they visit 5th year school pupils from their local schools and 2014 and June 2014. As well as successfully their doors to a new diversification opportunity”. communities to deliver structured mentoring. putting social farming on the map, through wide Dr. Jim Kinsella, UCD School of Agriculture The students share experiences about school ranging awareness raising and piloting services commented that “The SoFAB project has been and college, discuss study methods and on 20 firms, the project also left a legacy of over very successful in raising awareness, learning Leaving Certificate tips and provide on-going 80 people trained in the delivery of social farming lessons, training people and paving the way for peer-support with the aim of encouraging a as well as a report on the costs and benefits of social farming in Ireland and Northern Ireland. He greater awareness of future opportunities in social farming. was adamant that “the future of social farming the world of third level education and work. Research gathered during the project was lay in converting the interest of the Health Trusts In recognition of this project, UCD has presented by Aoibeann Walsh from QUB who and the Health Service Executive into contracted created a number of scholarships for Future demonstrated that the benefits of the initiative services with farmers that have the potential to You students who successfully transition to had helped a broad range of vulnerable people offer thousands of people the opportunity to avail undergraduate programmes in UCD. suffering from mental health problems and of social farming in years to come”.

New ‘UCD Authors Collection’ launched

UCD has, throughout its history, played an outstanding and pivotal role in the building of the Irish nation and in the preservation, understanding and trans- mission of its heritage. Our staff and alumni have published many of the critical Pictured at the launch of the UCD Authors Collection are Ursula Byrne, UCD Library; Eilis O’Brien, Director of Communications, UCD and Evelyn Flanagan, UCD Library works that have underpinned and influ- enced debates and policies that have books cannot be supplied, copies from our Donnelly, Bryce Evans, Diarmaid Ferriter, Anne shaped the state. main collections will be transferred into this new Fogarty, Nicole Grimes et al, Niamh Hardiman, ‘UCD Authors Collection’. This new collection Judith Harford, Eric Haywood, Jonathan The UCD Library is creating a new ‘UCD will complement the holdings of the UCD Herring et al, Hans Krabbendam, Kathleen Authors Collection’, to bring together and Archives Collection. Lynch, Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh, Anne Macdon, showcase, for the first time in one location, all The collection has been started with 44 Emily Mark-Fitzgerald, Louise McHugh, Joseph of the printed books of former and current UCD books coming from subjects as varied as A. McMahon, John McNerney, M. L. Monaghan, academics and of prominent UCD alumni. This Gaeilge and Archaeology to Psychology and Niamh Moore, Wolfgang Narx, Diane Negra, collection will be located in UCD Special the hope is that all authors and publishers will Séamus Ó Catháin, Nellie Ó Clérigh, Ian Collections, and will form part of the overall contribute signed copies to this special O’Donnell, Cormac Ó Gráda, Emmanuel UCD heritage collection. collection. Reynaud, Anthony Roche, Claire Rush, Ian Where possible, autographed copies of the Special thanks to Michael J. Bannon, Stewart, John M. Thompson, Ríonach Uí books will be held, and as they will make up Majda Bne Saad, Bernadette Bradley, Joseph Ógáin, Brendan Walsh and Oonagh Walsh who part of our heritage collection, will not be Brady, Alan Carr, Peter Clinch et al, Philip have contributed to the collection to date. labelled or stamped. Where new copies of the Cotrell, Mary Daly, Dympna Devine, W. J. C.

18 | Winter 2014 Sport

UCD International Ladies GAA Team pictured at the 2014 Fexco Asian Gaelic Games An impressive debut for the UCD International GAA Ladies Team in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

UCD recently made history at the Fexco UCD Partner Universities. UCD has 36 students Asian Gaelic Games in Kuala Lumpur, on exchange in China this year, with another 18 Malaysia by sending the first International in wider Asia region. Although the team missed out on taking ladies GAA team of its kind to the 2014 home any silverware, an unexpected honour competition. Coached by Brian Mullins, was bestowed upon UCD player, Aisling Kerr. the 12-person team comprised of Hailing originally from Boston, Aisling was (Top to bottom) UCD Ad Astra equestrian athletes international students from Canada, Emma O’Dwyer (Showjumping), Jodie O’Keefe (eventing) awarded an All Star Award for her efforts and Ana O’Brien (Horse Racing) China, Vietnam, Uganda, Nigeria, Poland, throughout the competition and this news was USA, Denmark and Sweden. Signing on celebrated by her jubilant UCD team mates. as key sponsors were ESB International, UCD supporters were also deighted that Alice Leading UCD Bank of Ireland and O’Neill’s. Malone, a Laois native and recent UCD B.Comm with Chinese Studies graduate, who equestrian ladies UCD participated in the Ladies’ Junior playing with the Shanghai Ladies side, received Division of the nine-a-side competition and All Star Award and Player of the Tournament. enjoyed an impressive debut at their inaugural Summing up events, Brian Mullins, UCD in the spotlight Games. Day one of the competition saw the Director of Sport, spoke about the team’s New equestrian additions to the UCD team winning three out of their four league experience in Malaysia, “This opportunity has games, ensuring a place in the quarter finals. been a once in a lifetime experience for the Ad Astra Elite Athlete Academy, Jodie Day two dawned and the heat on the pitch team. The ladies displayed great team spirit O’Keeffe (Eventing), Emma O’Dwyer intensified, allowing UCD to reach the final four and were excellent Ambassadors for UCD as (Showjumping) and Ana O’Brien (Horse but were narrowly defeated by Taiwan in an they embarked upon the journey. The reception Racing) are already reaching the stars. action packed and fast paced semi-final. and goodwill from alumni and friends in Kuala Jodie O’Keefe has just returned with the Amongst the many well wishers and Lumpur was overwhelming and we are title of Under 21 Munster Young Rider of the supporters were other UCD students and extremely grateful to our sponsors – without graduates attending the Games. In particular their support none of this would have been year having acquired the highest number of the Shanghai Men’s and Ladies’ team were well possible”. points at senior level during the competitive represented by students on Exchange with season in Munster. This follows on from winning team Gold at the Under 21 European Eventing Championships in Portugal in September. In addition, she achieved bronze UCD staff golf society win both when competing for UCD at the Interprovincials in October 2014. Emma O’Dwyer was invited to compete intervarsity and colours competitions at the CSI 3* (Senior International Circuit) at The UCD golf society hosted the annual Saint-Lo, France and came 2nd in the 6 bar, jumping a height of 2m. In addition, she intervarsity competition in Powerscourt achieved 4th place in the Opening 3* speed golf club in April. Ten universities and class. This is a huge achievement for a rider Institutes of Technology competed for the who still has two years to compete in the perpetual shield with the UCD team com- Under 21’s whilst also competing against ing out as victorious for the first time in silver medalists from the World Equestrian 17 years. Games and the leading lady rider in the The society also claimed victory in the world. annual colours competition in October, played Ana O’Brien was the first lady jockey to between UCD and Trinity. The UCD staff golf ride in the Group One Classic, the Irish society was founded in 1993, it currently has 80 (l-r) Brian McBreen, Tommy Murtagh, Margaret Worrall, Oaks. She is currently the leading Irish lady members and is open to staff in all the university Brian Kane Captain 2014, Prof. Andrew J. Deeks, Honorary flat-racing jockey. President; Geraldine McDermott, Liam Carroll, Tom Culligan, campuses. UCD President Professor Andrew J. Helen Dawkins. Absent from photo- Madeleine O’Dwyer and Deeks is the honorary President of the club. Stewart McKee

19 | Winter 2014 News

UCD Enactus Team 2014 (l-r) - Constantin Lenk, Stephanie O’Malley, Aoife Buckley, Andrea Harvey, Roisin Lee, Patricia Kastner, Eimear O’Donnell and Cian O’Sullivan UCD Student Team Represent Ireland at 2014 Enactus World Cup Final

A team of UCD students, led by Aoife The UCD students secured a place at the through a written annual report and live audio Buckley, an MSc student in Management finals after winning the 2014 Enactus Ireland visual presentation, beating off stiff competition Consultancy in the UCD Michael Smurfit National Competition for their social from 35 other countries to make it to the final entrepreneurship project entitled ‘Generation four. Graduate Business School, represented Accommodation’ which seeks to match The other members of the UCD winning Ireland at the 2014 Enactus World Cup students who cannot afford to pay rent with team are students; Roisín Lee, Constantin Lenk, final, which took place in Beijing, China elderly people living alone. Patricia Kastner, Cian O’Sullivan and Andrea from 22 to 24 October. At the competition they presented the Harvey. results of their community outreach projects The University UCD success at national final Observer marks its of Thesis in 3 competition UCD PhD students, Aoife Murphy 20th Anniversary and Darragh Whelan successfully represented UCD at the 5th annual The 7th October 2014 was landmark day in student media as the University Observer national final of Thesis in 3, a science celebrated 20 years in the business. communication competition that The day itself was marked with a special challenges postgraduate students from anniversary supplement, which saw past research institutions across Ireland editors and writers reminisce about their time present their research in a series of with the paper. The celebrations continued concise, rapidly paced talks consisting with over 100 people involved in the paper’s of three slides, in three minutes. 20 year history, including Journalist Pat Leahy and Comedian Dara O’Briain, come together Twenty postgraduate students rose to the (L-R) William Fitzmaurice, SBI; Jennifer Gaughran, DCU for a special event held in the Fitzgerald challenge to describe their research simply to (winner); Aoife Murphy, UCD (3rd place); Ruairi Robertson, a packed house of 250 people and a panel of UCC (2nd place); Darragh Whelan, UCD (audience prize); Chamber in the UCD Student Centre. Aoibheann Bird, Insight; Philip Smyth, UCD Access. During its 20 year tenor the newspaper judges including Will Goodbody, RTÉ Science correspondent; Claire O’Connell, Irish Times has gained critical acclaim for its standards Darragh Whelan from the Insight Centre journalist and Margie McCarthy, Science and skills writers and has offered a first home for Data Analytics picked up the audience Foundation Ireland. to many of Ireland’s top journalists including choice prize. His research focuses on Aoife Murphy, PhD student in UCD Declan Walsh, Alan Torney, Samantha Libreri, predicting injury risk in athletes and the Conway Institute and UCD Institute for Food Emmet Ryan and Sorcha Nic Mathuna. general population using new and accessible & Health won 3rd prize for her talk on Most recently it won Newspaper of the technologies. ‘Obesity: It’s InFATuating’. She described Year 2014 at the National student Media The event, hosted by RTÉ’s Jonathan obesity as similar to a stomach bug, with Awards (Smedias) and still remains the only McCrea, is sponsored through the SFI certain fatty foods causing stress on our body, Irish student newspaper to win an award in Discover Programme and co-organised by and how the immune system tries to defend the Best Newspaper category at The Systems Biology Ireland and Insight Centre itself by inflaming the body which can lead to Guardian Student Media Awards. for Data Analytics. problems such as type 2 diabetes.

20 | Winter 2014