People 2021-2022
DCU prides itself as a University with “People First” values, an institution that supports and encourages its staff and students personally, professionally and academically. The annual President’s Awards give recognition to the excellence and achievement in the DCU community. The annual President’s Staff Recognition Awards were presented to individuals and teams from the University’s professional staff who went ‘above and beyond’ in the service of their colleagues, students and the wider community. The awards had a particular focus on the positive impact of staff during the pandemic. Projects which used Artificial Intelligence to assess health conditions and assist social media monitoring, as well as a new system to streamline supports offered to DCU researchers were honoured at the 2022 President’s Awards for Innovation. The winners of the President's Awards for Engagement spearheaded initiatives that assisted healthcare organisations during the Covid-19 pandemic, engaged with residents of Direct Provision centres and developed STEM industry internships for teachers. Commitment, enthusiasm and enjoyment were the hallmarks of the 2022 President’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. Research concerning a range of fields including the politics of the former Soviet region, technology-based rehabilitation, Irish language terminology, and early childhood education were honoured at the President’s Awards for Research and Impact Awards 2022.
The University’s graduates are an integral part of the DCU community. The DCU Alumni community now stands at more than 90,000 graduates in 220 countries worldwide and each year the achievements of a select group are honoured at the DCU Alumni Awards. The 2021 Awards recognised the exceptional efforts of our alumni community in response to the challenges raised by Covid-19.
DCU’s Honorary Conferrings are key dates in the University calendar. These events give the community an opportunity to celebrate excellence and to honour leadership in fields of endeavour that speak to the University’s mission to transform lives and societies. In the past year, a number of candidates were conferred with the Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa), which is the highest honour the University can bestow. Scholar and public servant Seán de Fréine received his award in recognition of his foundational influence on the sociolinguistics of Irish society and on questions of language policy. In March 2022, at a special ceremony in Washington DC, three distinguished figures received honorary doctorates. They were Congressman Richard Neal, one of the most influential figures in American politics and a stalwart supporter of the Northern Ireland peace process; Barbara Barrett, former US Secretary of the Air Force and advocate for the advancement of women in leadership; and Prof Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University who is recognised for his work to broaden access to Higher Education in the US. The Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) was also conferred upon Sjur Bergan, the former Head of the Council of Europe’s Education Department, whose work opened new horizons for students and educators across Europe, gave refugees and asylum seekers opportunities to work and study, and reinforced the democratic and civic values of Europe’s Higher Education institutions. In May 2022, Irish folk musician Moya Brennan and Avolon chief executive Dómhnal Slattery received honorary doctorates. Moya Brennan was honoured for her lifetime contributions to Irish music including her work with Clannad. Dómhnal Slattery received his award for his ethical leadership and innovation in the aviation industry.
The past year saw a number of notable appointments to senior leadership positions within the University. Prof John Doyle was appointed Vice President of Research. He previously served as Executive Dean of DCU’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and as Head of DCU School of Law and Government. Prof Dominic Elliott was named as the new Executive Dean of DCU Business School. He joins DCU from the University of the West of Scotland, where he held the position of Dean of the School of Media, Culture, and Society. Dr Cora O’Farrell was announced as the new Director of the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education. She joined St Patrick’s College (later incorporated into DCU) in 2008 and is a member of the Council for Catechetics of the Irish Episcopal Conference and has been involved with a number of initiatives in Catholic Education.