The Royal Irish Academy supports and informs debate on the changing role, needs and requirements of the higher education and public research system more nationally and internationally. It advocates the intrinsic value and worth of the sciences and humanities and challenges policy discourses which prioritise the functional application of scientific research above all other contributions.

R&D – The New Zealand Way: Funding & Prioritisation in Higher Education

RIA /Dublin City University public lecture by Dr. Di McCarthy, Chief Executive, Royal Society of New Zealand

7 March 2011. Booking essential.

 

 

‘The Role of the University in a Changing World’:

RIA Discourse by Professor Drew Faust, President, Harvard University
June 2010 Download lecture

 

Why European Higher Education Fails or How it Could Fly by its Tails:

RIA Public Lecture by Professor J.M.M. Ritzen, President, Masstricht University February 2007 Download lecture

 

Advancing Humanities and Social Sciences Research in Ireland

Published online: 2007
In October 2005, the Academy convened a working group to examine the status of humanities and social sciences research and to consider how best to ensure the future sustainability and appeal of the HSS research environment in Ireland. The Working Group was chaired by Dr. Maurice J. Bric and Professor Jane Conroy (vice-chair). Download report

 

 

Cumhacht Feasa: report of the RIA Working Group on Higher Education

Published online: 2006
In 2005, the Academy convened a Working Group to critically review Ireland’s higher education sector and prepare a response to the 2004 OECD Review of Higher Education in Ireland. The Working Group was chaired by Professor Patrick Cunningham. Download report

 

 

Academia-Industry Research Collaboration

Published online: 2006

The Academy Committee for Life Sciences and the RIA Science Secretary formed a Working Group in 2005 to identify the key challenges and opportunities for Ireland in large scale academia-industry research collaborations and a workshop was held in December 2005 on these issues. Download report

 

 

 

Research Infrastructural Deficts: Myth or Reality?

Published online: 2005
In September 2004, the Academy convened a meeting of key academic and policy stakeholders to get an improved understanding and agreement among the principals on the degree and quality of the infrastructural environment required to support university research at the level necessary to make Ireland an internationally competitive centre of world class research. Download report

 

 

 

Sustaining and Enhancing Research Investment in Ireland

Published online: 2004
In June 2004, the Academy organised a workshop to identify and highlight gaps in the Irish research infrastructure and propose recommendations to address these. Download report

 

 

Challenges Facing Irish Universities

Published online: 2004
In October 2003, the Academy held a meeting for invited participants from national and international academia and government to discuss the key challenges facing Irish universities in the context of the knowledge-based economy. Download report

 

 

 

 

Building and Sustaining Excellence in the Public Research University: the American model:

RIA Public Lecture by Professor Richard Herman, University of Illinois
March 2004  Download lecture