The future of Researchers in Ireland
Click Picture to Enlarge
The future of Researchers in Ireland
18.03.2011
The role of the rapidly expanding workforce of contract researchers in Ireland’s aim to become a major ‘Knowledge Economy’ will be the focus of a major forum taking place in Dublin on April 8th next. Hosted by The Irish Research Staff Association (IRSA) the forum will provide the first opportunity for researchers to engage with policy makers and funding bodies which determine their careers.

The panel session and breakout session will provide a dynamic opportunity to discuss the current environment for careers in Ireland and discuss solutions for improvements and will be led by Mr Stefaan Hermans from the Directorate General for Research who will discuss current policy initiatives and skills from a European perspective. Ireland will be represented by its Chief Scientific Advisor and head of ESOF 2012, Conor O’Carroll, Irish Universities Association (IUA), Professor Orla Feely (UCD), Stephen Simpson, Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Brendan Dollard, Enterprise Ireland and Padraic O Murchu from Intel.  Also in attendance will be Iain Cameron, British Research Council and Vitae, Chris Thompson of the UK Research Staff Association and David Finger, US Research Staff Association.  

The IRSA, an umbrella organisation that brings together the research staff associations of Ireland’s academic institutions currently has some 2,000 contract researchers from the seven largest Irish universities - Dublin City University, NUI Galway, Queen’s University Belfast, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, University of Limerick and University College Dublin. The association also has very strong links with the UK Research Staff Association and VITAE and more recently with the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) in the US.

Research income represents a sizeable percentage of third level income with researchers covering all disciplines throughout the universities.  “Closer partnerships with multinationals and indigenous industry in converting research, development and innovation into commercialised products and services is pivotal to the future of our country and researchers play a vital role in achieving this goal” said Dr Gordon Dalton, President of the IRSA. “Despite, the importance placed on research and innovation by the incoming governments, there are many basic barriers facing research careers with finance to fund research programmes posing a major problem for legislators”, he said.

 “The outcomes of this major forum will hopefully lead to both improved research careers in Ireland leading to increased research output for the Irish economy”, concluded Dr Dalton.

The Forum takes place on April 8th at the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin.  See www.irsa.ie/forum2011.html

Picture:  Dr Gordon Dalton, President, IRSA

 



<<Previous ItemNext Item>>

« Back to 2011 Press Releases