RIA Multidisciplinary Committees

The RIA has ten multidisciplinary committees, five in the sciences and five in the humanities and social sciences. These committees help to advise the Academy and contribute significantly to the Academy’s public engagement and outreach programmes. We are now seeking people to join the 2022-2026 committees. Tá leagan Gaeilge den eolas ar fáil anseo.

Science Committees:                                                                    

• Climate Change and Environmental Sciences
• Engineering and Computer Science
• Geosciences and Geographical Sciences
• Life and Medical Sciences
• Physical, Chemical and Mathematical Sciences

Find out more about our Science Committees

Humanities and Social Science Committees:

• Coiste Léann na Gaeilge, Litríocht na Gaeilge agus na gCultúr Ceilteach
• Ethical, Political, Legal and Philosophical Studies
• Historical Studies
• Social Sciences
• Study of Languages, Literature, Culture and Communication

We are also seeking to fill the Standing Committee for International Affairs.

Find out more about our Humanities and Social Science Committees

Selection panel recommendations will be made based on information submitted in the application form and CV. Selection will be made on the basis of three criteria:

• Demonstrated expertise in discipline(s) relevant to the committee.
• Demonstrated experience of public engagement activities.
• Demonstrated understanding of the committee’s potential priorities, based on a short statement on the applicant’s proposed contribution to them.

The multidisciplinary committees will include a broad representation of people from across the island of Ireland; from a range of institutions, sectors, genders and career stages; and a balance between MRIAs, continuing committee members and new members.

Details of the selection process are available here. It is expected that new members will be notified of their appointment in April and the new committees will be announced in August 2022. The multidisciplinary committees will have the first meeting of their term in September 2022.

Completed applications should be submitted via the application form no later than 00:00 on Sunday, 27 February 2022.

What are the multidisciplinary committees?

The mission of the Royal Irish Academy’s multidisciplinary committees (MDCs) is to promote co-operation across and within relevant scholarly disciplines; to advise, contribute to and guide Academy’s engagement in these areas and on issues of topical interest, on an all-island basis. The committees exist to provide expertise and to promote the value of the sciences, humanities and social sciences.

Each MDC is made up of no more than 20 members and is supported by RIA staff. Committees meet three times annually (typically in hybrid format) and committee members are also encouraged to join time-limited working groups for specific purposes such as organising a seminar or producing a public report. Members of MDCs will normally serve a four-year term. Committee members may be appointed for a second term. See the RIA multidisciplinary committee Terms of Reference (2018-2022) for more on the functioning and duties of committees. 

Please direct any queries to info@ria.ie