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51��ɫ Chancellor Professor Brigid Laffan has said she was ‘truly honoured’ to receive a gold medal from the Royal Irish Academy.

The 2024 Royal Irish Academy (RIA) Gold Medals were presented to Professor Laffan in the field of Social Sciences and Professor Máire O’Neill in the field of Engineering Sciences by Colm O’Reardon, Secretary General of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science at a recent ceremony in Dublin hosted by Professor Pat Guiry, President of the RIA.

Professor Laffan is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s leading experts on European Integration and is a major contributor to the conversation about how the European project affects Ireland’s foreign policy.

The RIA awards two Gold Medals annually to recognise and foster excellence in research which advances the public good, both nationally and internationally.

The awards showcase the exceptional research taking place in higher education in Ireland that impacts our lives, benefits society and inspires future generations of researchers.

Professor Laffan was one of the very first students to attend UL – then the National Institute for Higher Education. She was appointed as Chancellor and Chair of UL’s Governing Authority in November.

Speaking about the award, Professor Laffan said: “I am truly honoured to receive the Academy Gold Medal and humbled by the recognition of my fellow scholars and colleagues. I regard the life of a university Professor with its combination of education and research as a privilege. My research on that distinctive polity, the European Union, has focused my attention on the many tensions that run through contemporary politics and political economy.”

Minister Simon Harris TD congratulated the winners by saying: “As Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, I wish to congratulate Professor Máire O’Neill and Professor Brigid Laffan on winning this year’s RIA Gold Medal Awards. Their achievements serve as a source of inspiration for current and future generations of researchers.

“These Medals recognise significant achievements in the areas of cyber security and political science – both areas of ever-increasing importance and relevance. Ireland should be proud of the international impact of the work of these two outstanding academics, and the valuable research that they have carried out in Ireland and with international partners.”

Professor Pat Guiry further remarked: “The Academy's Gold Medals are a prestigious honour bestowed to exceptional leaders in Higher Education research across Ireland. Today, our two recipients have been recognised for their pioneering work and their commitment to challenging existing paradigms. Their contributions in engineering sciences and the social sciences are invaluable in pushing the boundaries of understanding in their respective fields.”

Mr Colin Hunt, CEO of AIB who sponsor the 2024 RIA Gold Medals commented: “I would like to congratulate Professor Máire O’Neill and Professor Brigid Laffan on their achievements. It is heartening to see Irish academics making a global impact in the fields of engineering and social sciences as Irish higher education continues to deliver on its rich potential to energise Irish society, the economy and the wider world.”

Since 2005, a total of 34 Gold Medals have been awarded; notable recipients have included Immunologist, Professor Luke O’Neill, European Central Bank Chief Economist, Professor Philip Lane and historian, Professor Jane Ohlmeyer.