It was a privilege to be at the Central Criminal Court today for the launch of important new research by my Maynooth University colleague Dr Sinéad Ring, from the School of Law and Criminology Maynooth University. Sinéad's research, funded by Research Ireland, examines the use of sexual experience evidence in rape trials and asks an important question: how do the legal safeguards governing the admission of this evidence actually operate in practice? Drawing on interviews with 21 key stakeholders, the research examines the operation of Section 3 applications, including questions of relevance and credibility and the potential for assumptions and rape myths to influence how sexual experience evidence is approached. The report was launched by Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh, Judge of the European Court of Human Rights, with a response from Professor Vanessa Munro of the University of Warwick and a fascinating panel discussion. One message particularly stayed with me: changing legislation is only part of the story. We also need research that examines how law is understood, interpreted and applied in practice. This report provides a powerful example of Maynooth University's Society & Public Policy Research Beacon in action – rigorous research engaging directly with practitioners and civil society on an issue of significant public importance. Congratulations to Sinéad on this important work, and to Rape Crisis Ireland for supporting the research and organising todays symposium which brought together such a rich range of perspectives on evidence, justice and survivors rights. The QR code on the report provides access to the full research report. #MaynoothUniversity #MUResearch #ResearchIreland #ResearchBeacons #PublicPolicy

Graduation week is one of my favourite times of the year at Maynooth University! Walking across campus today, what struck me was the sense of joy everywhere. Graduates dressed for one of the biggest days of their lives; families and friends gathered around them; handshakes, hugs and photographs; and some truly enormous bouquets of flowers being carried across campus! A graduation ceremony marks an academic achievement, of course, but seeing everyone together shows that there is so much more wrapped up in that moment. Behind every graduate is a story of hard work, resilience, learning and growing. So many other people are part of the story too: parents, partners, children, friends, lecturers, supervisors and colleagues who have encouraged, supported and celebrated them along the way. Warmest congratulations to all of our Maynooth University graduates, and to the families and friends celebrating with them. I hope you enjoy every minute of it — including the flowers! 🎓💐 #MaynoothUniversity #Graduation #MUGraduation

In celebration of the one and only Seamus, the @MaynoothUni @MULibraryCat he has his own documentary! youtu.be/TEKk52K2ads?si=WVzy… via @YouTube

It's hard to capture in just a few photographs what an extraordinary week it was at Maynooth University. Over the course of last week, we had the privilege of hosting both the Arqus European University Alliance Annual Conference and the European Universities Initiative (EUI) Forum, welcoming colleagues from across Europe to our campus. The week was filled with conversations, connections, ideas and reflections on the future of higher education, research and innovation. Whether discussing European university alliances, research collaboration, student mobility, international partnerships or the role of universities in addressing society's most pressing challenges, there was a real sense of shared purpose and optimism. Universities are truly at their best when they bring people together. For me, one of the highlights was seeing so many visitors experience Maynooth for the first time. I hope they leave with lasting memories not only of our beautiful campus and rich cultural heritage, but also of the warmth of our community, the strength of our partnerships, and the ambition and creativity that define Maynooth University. A huge congratulations and thank you to everyone who worked so hard behind the scenes to make these events such a success. Hosting one major international conference is no small undertaking; hosting two in the same week was an extraordinary achievement. Thank you to everyone who contributed to such an inspiring week. I look forward to seeing the conversations, collaborations and friendships that began here continue to flourish across Europe. #ArqusAlliance #EuropeanUniversities #HigherEducation #Research #Innovation #Internationalisation #MaynoothUniversity

It was great to attend part of the Hamilton Institute's 25th Anniversary event at Maynooth University last week. Over the past 25 years, the Hamilton Institute has established itself as one of Ireland's leading interdisciplinary research institutes, bringing together expertise across mathematics, computer science, communications networks, artificial intelligence, data science and complex systems. I particularly enjoyed hearing Professor Ken Duffy's keynote, "A Random Walk at the Hamilton Institute". As one of the Institute's original members and a former Director, he talked about its evolution over the past quarter century. He spoke about the people, ideas and continuing connections that have shaped the Hamilton community over time. He also spoke about the importance of "creating serendipity" in "an institute of tame mathematicians", and how those unexpected interactions and collaborations have enabled significant advances. It was fascinating to see some of the original plans for the Institute and to reflect on how that vision has been realised over time. Congratulations to Professor David Malone and colleagues in the Hamilton Institute, and to all those who have contributed to its remarkable journey over the last 25 years. I look forward to seeing its continued impact in the years ahead. #MaynoothUniversity #MUResearch #ResearchBeacons #DataScience #DigitalTransformation #ArtificialIntelligence #ResearchExcellence #HamiltonInstitute

I really enjoyed attending some of the the Intellectual Property & MedTech Workshop at Maynooth University last week, organised by Professor Aisling McMahon, Professor Jessica Lai and Professor Leanne Wiseman. The workshop brought together leading international researchers to explore the complex relationship between intellectual property, medical technologies, access, and disability rights. I particularly enjoyed listening to two thought-provoking presentations. Professor Mac MacLachlan highlighted the importance of viewing assistive technologies not simply as products, but as part of wider systems that enable participation, independence and inclusion. I was especially interested to hear him discuss themes that resonate with his recently published book, Human Rights and Wrongs in Psychology and Psychiatry, which examines how professionals navigate complex situations where values, ethics, rights and institutional expectations can sometimes be in tension. His remarks emphasised the importance of ensuring that innovation, policy and support systems work together to empower people and enable meaningful participation in society. Dr Louise Hatherhall's presentation on the Everyday Cyborgs project offered a fascinating perspective on how the law conceptualises medical devices. As technologies become increasingly integrated with the human body, traditional distinctions between "person" and "object" are being challenged, raising important questions about regulation, responsibility, and how we recognise the lived experiences of those who rely on assistive and implanted technologies. Thank you to Professor Aisling McMahon and the ERC PatentsInHumans Project for organising such a thought-provoking event! #MaynoothUniversity #MUResearch #ResearchBeacons #HealthAndWellbeing #HealthcareInnovation #DisabilityRights #MedTech #PublicPolicy

A pleasure to formally open the 17th Annual DiGRA Conference at Maynooth University this week. My congratulations and thanks to Dr Jeneen Naji, Conference Chair, and colleagues in the Department of Media Studies, as well as the Arts and Humanities Institute, whose support helped make this impressive international gathering possible. Bringing together researchers, practitioners and creative professionals from around the world, DiGRA 2026 showcased the remarkable breadth and depth of contemporary games research. It was also a privilege to introduce our keynote speaker, Reine Abbas, game designer, educator, entrepreneur and one of the pioneers of the games industry in Lebanon. Her keynote, When Games Shape Minds: Manipulation or Impact?, was insightful, thought-provoking and deeply relevant, receiving a standing ovation! Many thanks to everyone involved in organising, presenting at and participating in what has been a stimulating and successful conference. #MaynoothUniversity #MUResearch #ResearchBeacons #DiGRA2026 #GameStudies #DigitalCulture #ArtsAndHumanities #CulturalStudies #DigitalTransformation

Fantastic to attend today’s launch of the new Research Ireland Rinn Research Centres! Congratulations to Research Ireland, the centre leadership teams, institutional partners, industry collaborators, and so many researchers whose work, vision, and commitment have brought these ambitious initiatives to the launch point. And now the hard work begins! It's great to see Team Maynooth so well represented across the Rinn network including: 🔹 Rinn Pharma & Biopharma 🔹 Rinn Energy 🔹 Rinn Artificial Intelligence 🔹 Rinn Quantum 🔹 Rinn Advanced Therapies A special congratulations to all my colleagues leading and contributing to Maynooth University’s involvement in these centres. #MaynoothUniversity #MUResearch #ResearchIreland #ResearchImpact #Innovation #ArtificialIntelligence #HealthInnovation #DataScience #HealthAndWellbeing #Sustainability

Delighted to attend today’s launch of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s 2025 Thematic Research Call Awards at the State Laboratory campus in Backweston. A great day for Maynooth University, with funding awarded to: • Prof Fiona Walsh – antimicrobial resistance in environmental systems • Prof Emmanuelle Graciet – plant health and crop resilience in oilseed Congratulations to both on this well-deserved recognition! This is important work and reflects the strength and impact of our research community. Continued investment in research like this is critical to addressing complex challenges across the bioeconomy.

Great to attend the National Challenge Fund Event today and to support Maynooth University colleagues Dr Amy Fahy and Professor Fabiano Pallonetto on their success with the RENEW project. RENEW is tackling one of the most important challenges of our time — enabling communities to actively participate in the energy transition through innovative, scalable solutions. It’s a strong example of how interdisciplinary research can deliver real societal impact, bringing together technology, policy, and community engagement. The National Challenge Fund is an impressive initiative, supporting teams to move from ideas to real-world solutions addressing national priorities in areas like climate and digital transformation. Great to see Maynooth University research contributing so strongly in this space — and I look forward to seeing the continued impact of RENEW as it develops. #MaynoothUniversity #MUResearch #ResearchBeacons #ClimateChange #Sustainability #RenewableEnergy #ClimateAction

It was a privilege yesterday to attend the inaugural lecture of Professor Fintan Sheerin, Professor of Nursing and Founding Head of the School of Nursing at Maynooth University. Fintan spoke about the development of nurses across their careers — and the distinction between being ‘a nurse’ and being ‘nurse’. His reflections on presence, and on the importance of the space between humans, were particularly powerful. Fintan reminded us that care is not only about expertise and tasks but about connection, presence and humanity. This resonates strongly with Maynooth University’s Health & Wellbeing Research Beacon — where the focus is not just on advancing knowledge, but on improving lives through inclusive, person-centred approaches. A deeply reflective and inspiring lecture. Congratulations to Fintan! #MaynoothUniversity #MUResearch #ResearchBeacons #HealthAndWellbeing #Nursing #HealthEducation #NurseEducation

Delighted to receive a copy of Understanding Cybersecurity Management in the Construction Industry: Challenges, Strategies and Trends by Zohreh Pourzolfaghar, Arash Habibi Lashkari, Rozita Hashemi, and Markus Helfert from Maynooth University's Innovation Value Institute This book is part of the Understanding Cybersecurity Series and offers timely insights into how digital transformation is reshaping risk in the construction sector, from IoT and connected systems to AI-driven environments. As infrastructure becomes smarter, the importance of robust cybersecurity strategies becomes ever more critical. Many thanks to the authors for sharing their work, I’m looking forward to diving deeper into the intersection of cybersecurity, digital construction, and emerging technologies. link.springer.com/book/10.10… #Cybersecurity #SmartConstruction #DigitalTransformation #Infrastructure #Research

I had the pleasure of visiting Berkeley Lab with Daniel Kearns, Attaché for Talent and Innovation at the Consulate General of Ireland in San Francisco. Many thanks to Eoin Brodie and his colleagues for hosting us and for such an engaging discussion about their research, as well as the opportunity to see some of the outstanding facilities at Berkeley Lab. Visits like this really bring home what sustained national investment in research infrastructure can enable. As Ireland moves forward with initiatives such as the INSPIRE programme, it is exciting to think about the scale of scientific ambition and collaboration that this kind of investment can support. Thank you again to Eoin and the Berkeley Lab team for their time and generosity in sharing their work! #ResearchInfrastructure #INSPIRE #BerkeleyLab #InternationalCollaboration @LBNLresearch

Priorities for 2026

Talent, excellence and impact at the heart of this new @Researchirel strategy! Wonderful to hear accounts of impactful research at the launch.

A further highlight of our visit to Aga Khan University in Nairobi was the opportunity to tour the campus and see first-hand the academic facilities and the Aga Khan University Hospital. From the health sciences education spaces and advanced simulation laboratories, to the library’s wonderful learning environment and the Graduate School of Media & Communications’ journalism and media production facilities, the campus was impressive providing a wonderful learning environment. Thank you to our @AKUGlobal University colleagues for the generosity of the welcome and the open discussions about how our institutions can continue to learn from one another. #HigherEducation #GlobalPartnerships #HealthEducation #MediaEducation #ResearchCollaboration #AKU #MaynoothUniversity