Pat Guiry elected as President

Professor Guiry who is Full Professor of Synthetic Organic Chemistry and Director of the Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology in University College Dublin, will replace the outgoing President Dr Mary Canning effective immediately. We thank Dr Canning for her service to the Academy during her three year term.

Professor Guiry was elected to membership in 2013 and has been an active Member, serving the Academy on Council from 2015 to 2020 with specific roles as Science Secretary, a member of the Executive and Policy and Oversight Committees from 2016 to 2020.

Professor Guiry commented

‘As President it will be my privilege to work with members, officers and staff to promote the Academy as an independent, all-island learned society that provides expert scholarly advice to inform policy and civic society, responding in a flexible/timely manner to the ever-changing (inter)national research/education environment, with a particular focus on the research funding of STEM and the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. I also endeavour to strengthen the presence of the Academy throughout the island of Ireland with North-South and East-West initiatives, deepening our links with sister Academies in the UK and continuing to benefit from the participation of the Academy’s experts in European and global networks and alliances. I will lead the development of the Academy’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, continuing to embed EDI into all aspects of activities, and will strengthen the Academy’s financial sustainability to achieve its strategic goals.  I look forward to engaging with recently appointed Members and supporting the work of the newly established Young Academy of Ireland.’

The Academy also announced today the appointment of Mary Kelly MRIA as Treasurer. She is the Former Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency and a Former Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála. The Members also approved the 2022 Annual Review for circulation.