The Royal Irish Academy is an all-Ireland academic body that promotes study and excellence in the sciences, humanities and social sciences, as well as to public service and has been honouring Ireland’s leading contributors to the world of education and learning since its establishment in 1785.

Past Members have included Maria Edgeworth, a pioneer of the modern novel and Nobel laureates: WB Yeats, Ernest Walton, Erwin Schrödinger and Seamus Heaney.

In total, 28 new members were elected to the Academy in 2018. The six academics from Queen’s University include: 

• Professor Marty Gregg,  from the School of Mathematics and Physics
• Professor Andy Meharg, from the School of Biological Sciences
• Professor Alan Stitt, from the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
• Professor Fran Brearton, from the School of Arts, English and Languages
• Professor Christopher McCrudden, from the School of Law
• Professor Greg Toner, from the School of Arts, English and Languages.

Professor Richard English, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Internationalisation and Engagement at Queen’s said: “I’m delighted to see this well-deserved recognition of Queen’s University colleagues by the Royal Irish Academy. Every one of them has done excellent work, and I’m very pleased to hear about their success.”

Professor Peter Kennedy, President of the Royal Irish Academy, commented: “We should be proud of these new Members of the Academy for the honour their work brings to this country and the impact of this research on the quality of the higher education provided by our universities.”

The Royal Irish Academy currently has 591 members, of whom 87 are Honorary or overseas members, including: William C. Campbell, Nobel Laureate; Louise Richardson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford; Mary E Daly, historian and Commissioner, Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation; Brian MacCraith, physicist and President of Dublin City University; Frances Ruane, economist and Chair of the Abbey Theatre board; and Mary Kelly, chemist and chairperson of An Bord Pleanála.

Media

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