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News 2025
From ERI to Sustainability Institute
UCC marks a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to a sustainable future with the official launch of the Sustainability Institute. Formerly known as the Environmental Research Institute (ERI), this new identity reflects an expanded and integrated vision for sustainability research that aligns with the university’s core values and ambitions.
A significant milestone for UCC
"This is a very exciting development at UCC as we embed our UCC Futures Strategy and we put sustainability at the heart of our university’s research, teaching and practice. Launching the UCC Sustainability Institute where the fundamentals for life to flourish – for both people and planet is a natural next step for our university" said Prof. John O’ Halloran, President of UCC.
Sustainability is at the heart of UCC - not just through our research itself, but also in how research informs our sustainability practice and education. The new Sustainability Institute represents the university’s enhanced dedication to addressing global sustainability challenges by uniting cutting-edge research, campus-wide best practices, and the education of current and future leaders. This transformation also signals UCC’s strategic focus on accelerating the journey to net zero, benefiting people, planet and the university community alike.
Prof. Brian Ó Gallachóir, Director of the Sustainability Institute reflected on the Institute foundation and ambition. "I am delighted to mark this significant milestone for UCC, as the ERI, established 25 years ago, now transitions to the Sustainability Institute. We will strengthen UCC’s global leadership in sustainability research, and deliver significant positive societal impact while also addressing the key environmental challenges."
A key constituent of UCC Futures
The Sustainability Institute is a key constituent of UCC Futures, our ambitious programme of research prioritisation with the goal of securing our future through research excellence. Building on the ERI’s strong foundation, the Sustainability Institute brings together a vibrant community of researchers from across 24 Schools and all four Colleges within UCC, underscoring its role as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.
Prof. John Cryan, Vice-President for Research and Innovation said: "We are delighted to see UCC’s Sustainability Institute launched building on decades of groundbreaking impactful research that addresses key societal needs. This will be a flagship UCC Futures Institute fostering interdisciplinary research from across all of UCCs four colleges to drive innovation for society and the planet we live on."
The central mission of the Institute is to achieve research excellence across a diverse range of academic fields - from biological and physical sciences to engineering, business, law, sociology and political science – and to deliver significant research impact in terms of improved policy, new business opportunities and an empowered society. By integrating research across our many disciplines, the Institute will address complex sustainability issues from multiple perspectives to develop real-world solutions.
A global leader in sustainability
With today’s launch, UCC reaffirms its position as a global leader in sustainability, shaping a better future through impactful research, responsible campus action, and the development of informed and engaged citizens. Later this year staff will have an opportunity to come together to formally celebrate this new launch.
Prof. Sarah Culloty, Head of College, Science, Engineering and Food Science said: "The launch of UCC's new Sustainability Institute marks a new era in our commitment to tackling global sustainability challenges. This collaborative initiative will help foster innovative solutions to the complex societal issues we face today. Thank you to Professor Brian Ó Gallachóir, Dr. Gillian Bruton, and colleagues for their leadership in bringing this project to fruition. I am excited to see the next steps in the institutes’ future as a flagship interdisciplinary research institute, tackling global challenges."
We invite you to learn more about our research by exploring the new UCC Sustainability Institute website, as well as the broader university-wide sustainability initiatives showcased on the Sustainability@UCC website - discovering how UCC is advancing sustainability through research, education, leadership and practice.