Does Ireland need a Minister for Higher Education and Research?

The Royal Irish Academy will convene a workshop on the optimal governmental structure for higher education and research in Academy House, Dawson Street on Friday 3 July 2015, 12:00pm – 4:30pm. It will offer a national and international perspective on the merits of the current and alternative governmental structures for higher education and research and pose the question ‘Does Ireland need a Minister for Higher Education and Research?’

Speakers will include:

· Professor Brigid Laffan, MRIA, Chair of the Royal Irish Academy Steering Group on Governmental Structures for Higher Education and Research

· Professor Jo Ritzen, International Institute of Labour Studies and former Minister for Education (Netherlands)

· Mr Thomas Estermann, Director for Governance, Funding and Public Policy Development, European University Association

· Mr Nick Hillman, Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (UK) and former special advisor to David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science

· Professor Pat Clancy, University College Dublin

· Cllr Mary Hanafin, former Minister for Education

· Mr Ned Costello, Irish Universities Association.

Those wishing to attend should RSVP to info@ria.ie by Wednesday 24 June. The full programme will be circulated one week in advance of the workshop.