Dr. Vivek Nallur is an Assistant Professor in the School of Computer Science at University College Dublin. His research focuses on Machine Ethics, Multi-Agent Systems, emergence in socio-technical systems, and decentralized adaptation mechanisms. He holds a PhD from the University of Birmingham and advanced certifications in university teaching from UCD. Education: BBS, Delhi University Post-Graduate Diploma in Advanced Software Technology, National Centre for Software Technology MS, Carnegie Mellon University PhD, University of Birmingham Prof Cert University Teaching & Learning, University College Dublin Research Interests: Machine Ethics explores ethical decision-making in autonomous systems, while Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) are his primary tool for studying self-adaptation and emergence. He serves on key committees like IEEE P7008 (Ethically Driven Nudging) and the AAAI 2021 Spring Symposium on AI Ethics. His work bridges computer science with philosophy, law, and social sciences. Advising & Grants: Supervises three PhD students focusing on ethical AI, elder-care robotics, and AI governance. Leads the Machine Ethics Research Group and participates in the ML-Labs SFI grant (2019–2027). Professional Roles: Senior Member of IEEE, organizer for AAAI ethics symposia, and contributor to OpenAAL's ELSI panel. Teaches modules on Machine Learning, Operating Systems, and Web Development.
Dr. Felix Mezzanotte is an Assistant Professor of Law at Trinity College Dublin and Director of the MSc in Law and Finance Programme, a collaboration between Trinity Law School and Trinity Business School. He holds a PhD and advanced degrees from the University of East Anglia, SOAS (University of London), and the University of Warwick. His research focuses on the legal dimensions of sustainable finance, corporate sustainability reporting, investor protection, and compliance frameworks within financial markets. Academic Role: Assistant Professor of Law Affiliations: Trinity Law School, Trinity Business School (MSc Programme Director) Professional Experience: Former teaching at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, policy advisor for the World Bank, and visiting scholar at Columbia Law School and others. Dr. Mezzanotte's research interests span sustainable finance regulatory design, ESG compliance, blockchain applications in reporting, and cross-border enforcement challenges. His recent work emphasizes the legal accountability mechanisms linking corporate sustainability disclosures to investor rights under EU directives. Publications reflect a focus on EU sustainable finance policy, with analysis of regulatory complexity, blockchain innovations, and investor protection gaps. Recent articles address double materiality frameworks, impact reporting standards, and the role of robo-advisors in ESG integration. Key Award: Faculty of Business Award for Outstanding Teaching (Hong Kong Polytechnic University) Research Collaborations: European-China Law Studies Association, Columbia Center for Sustainable Investment He supervises doctoral candidates exploring topics like greenwashing prevention, non-financial disclosure obligations, and regulatory enforcement in sustainable finance contexts.
Professor Caroline Fennell is Head of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences at University College Cork (UCC), where she has held multiple leadership roles since 1996. A qualified barrister and member of the Royal Irish Academy, she specializes in criminal justice, evidence law, and gender studies. She has authored seminal works, including The Law of Evidence in Ireland (1992), and co-founded the Centre for Criminal Justice & Human Rights. Her research explores fairness in criminal justice systems, particularly in crisis scenarios like terrorism. She has secured grants totaling over €200,000 for projects on victimology and legal dissonance. Notable awards include the Royal Irish Academy membership and Honorary Lifetime Membership from UCC’s Students’ Union. Education: BCL (UCC), LLM (Osgoode Hall, Canada), PhD (University of Wales). Visiting roles included fellowships at Wadham College, Oxford, and the London School of Economics. She has advised on prison reform, led curriculum development (e.g., LLM Criminal Justice), and contributed to national legal policy via roles like Chair of the Irish Research Council (2009–2015). Current initiatives include the Chinese Artists in Residence Programme and leadership in UCC’s Athena SWAN Steering Committee. Research Interests: Law of Evidence, Criminal Justice reform, terrorism, gender equity, and interdisciplinary legal education. Grants & Awards: €90,400 for Access to Justice for Victims with Disabilities (2013–2017) €66,750 for Science, Law and Juridical Fact-Finding (2013–2016) Irish Research Council grants for studies on sexual assault attrition and diminished responsibility offenders Recent Contributions: Plenary speaker at conferences on legal pedagogy and humanities research Co-authored reports on domestic violence processing and victim needs Supervised over 20 doctoral candidates, including work on globalized criminality and fairness frameworks Current Roles: Head of College (since 2010), member of UCC’s Governing Body, and external examiner for the Law Society of Ireland’s Evidence courses.
Professor Conor O'Mahony is a faculty member in the School of Law at University College Cork (UCC), where he holds the rank of Professor of Law and serves as Vice-Dean for Research. He is also the Director of the UCC Child Law Clinic, leading initiatives in child protection litigation and law reform. He earned his BCL and LLM from UCC and a PhD from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. PhD, Law, University of Wales, Aberystwyth (2005) LLM, Law, University College Cork (2002) BCL, Law, University College Cork (2001) His research centers on constitutional law and child law, with a strong emphasis on children's rights, family rights, education law, and constitutional reform. He has published extensively in leading journals such as the International Journal of Constitutional Law , Human Rights Law Review , and Harvard Human Rights Journal . His recent articles reflect a consistent focus on constitutional interpretation, child protection mechanisms, and legal reform, often analyzing landmark cases and policy developments in Ireland and internationally. From 2019 to 2022, he served as Ireland’s Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, producing annual reports and expert recommendations to the government. His scientific awards include UCC’s Researcher of the Year (2019) and Research Team of the Year (2016). He has secured significant research funding, including from Horizon 2020 for projects like IDEA and FYDO, which address children’s rights and victim support in the justice system. He supervises PhD students in constitutional and child law and has advised several successful graduates. He is an active public intellectual, contributing over 30 op-eds and 200 media interviews, and providing expert testimony to Oireachtas Committees, the Constitutional Convention, and the Citizens’ Assembly. He is engaged in outreach through the Child Law Clinic, which supports legal practitioners in children’s rights litigation.
Fiona Donson is a Lecturer in Law at the School of Law, University College Cork (UCC), Ireland. She holds a PhD from King's College London, an LLM from Queen's University Canada, and an LLB from Leicester University. Her research focuses on socio-legal issues including children's rights, parental imprisonment, administrative justice, and Traveller equality. She co-directs the Traveller Equality and Justice Project (TEJP), funded by the EU and Council of Europe, addressing discrimination and access to justice for Travellers. She also collaborates on projects related to the impact of imprisonment on families and administrative justice reforms. Education: PhD in Law, King's College London (1997) LLM, Queen's University, Canada (1989) LLB, Leicester University, UK (1988) Her research interests emphasize marginalized communities, participatory methods, and interdisciplinary approaches. Key projects include the TEJP, work on children of incarcerated parents with Dr. Aisling Parkes, and studies on administrative justice frameworks in Ireland. She has authored books like Law and Public Administration in Ireland (2015) and Legal Intimidation: A SLAPP in the Face of Democracy (2000). Teaching includes modules on Administrative Law, Penology, Traveller Rights, and Courtroom Ethnography. She supervises PhD candidates in socio-legal research. Previously, she worked in Cambodia on child rights advocacy and taught at UK institutions like Cardiff and Leicester Universities. Her grants include funding from the Irish Research Council, EU, and Council of Europe. Collaborations span international networks like Children of Prisoners Europe and interdisciplinary teams addressing family impacts of imprisonment. She co-chairs the Action for Children and Families of Prisoners with the Irish Penal Reform Trust and contributes to clinical legal education initiatives like Trauma Informed Clinical Legal Education (TiCLE) with UCL and Glasgow University.
Dr. Yagmur Hortoglu Grant is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Law at Maynooth University, specializing in Arbitration Law, Private International Law, and the intersection of Law and Psychology. She joined Maynooth in July 2021 and serves as Director of the L.L.M. in International Business Law and L.L.B. programs. Her research focuses on fraud in arbitration, legal privilege in transnational cases, and diversity in arbitration appointments to combat bias. Education: Bachelor’s in Private Law (Sorbonne Law School, France) Master’s in Private International Law and International Business Law (Sorbonne Law School) Master of Science in Applied Positive Psychology (East London University, UK) Ph.D. (summa cum laude) on 'Fraud and Arbitration' (Sorbonne Law School, co-supervised by Professors Mathias Audit and Franco Ferrari) Professional Roles: Chair of the Academic Council of R.E.A.L. (Racial Equality for Arbitration Lawyers), New York Legal Counsel at the European Court of Human Rights for Turkish applicants since 2017 Media contributor on Turkish TV/radio discussing legal issues Research Interests: Legal fraud mechanisms, cross-border insolvency, arbitration ethics, psychology’s role in legal access, and diversity in international arbitration. Key Publications: Authored a 2023 book on arbitration fraud, contributed to leading international arbitration journals, and presented at conferences worldwide, including the Hague Academy and NYU. Awards: Merit-based scholarships from French Government (2008), Max Planck Institutes (2017/2018), and selection for the Hague Academy (2020). Teaching: Contract Law (LW152), Private International Law (LW604X), and Arbitration Law (LW6002) at Maynooth University.
Professor Dympna Devine is a Full Professor of Education, Society and Critical Childhood Studies at University College Dublin's School of Education. She leads the Children’s School Lives (CSL) study, a large-scale longitudinal investigation examining primary schooling experiences in Ireland and rural Sierra Leone. Her research bridges sociologies of education and childhood, focusing on children’s voices, rights, and equalities. She has held roles such as Vice Principal for Research Innovation and Impact in the College of Social Sciences and Law (2021–2024) and served on the National Children’s Advisory Council (2014–2021). Dr. Devine holds a BEd, MEd, and PhD from University College Dublin. Her work spans migrant children’s education, pedagogies for social justice, and policy advocacy for education as a public good. She has secured over €5 million in research grants, including projects funded by the EU, Irish Research Council, and Norwegian Research Council. Her recent studies explore intergenerational learning in coastal communities and the impact of the pandemic on schooling. Her research interests include: Sociologies of Education, Children’s Rights, Migrant Children, and Educational Equity. Key articles analyze teacher professionalism in Sierra Leone, gender dynamics in education, and pandemic-era pedagogies. Awards include a UCD Case Study Impact Award (2023) and Marie Curie Fellowship (2007). Dr. Devine has supervised over 20 PhD students, examining topics from foster care to faith schooling. She currently co-leads studies like 'Child Friendly Cities' and 'Birth Family Contact in Foster Care'. Her grants include the 'Safe Learning Model in Sierra Leone' (2017–2022) and 'Valuing the Past' (2016–2023).
Emanuel Coman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Trinity College Dublin. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2012) and previously served as a Lecturer at the University of Oxford (2014-2016) and a Postdoctoral Prize Fellow at Nuffield College, Oxford (2012-2014). His research focuses on electoral systems, party politics, and legislative behavior, with a particular emphasis on European democracies and Central/Eastern Europe. Key research interests include the impact of electoral reforms on political representation, the role of local leaders in resource distribution, and the effects of university education on political attitudes. Coman has also explored gender dynamics in voter turnout and the relationship between ideology and fiscal policies in post-communist states. His work has been published in prestigious journals such as European Union Politics , Journal of Politics , and Electoral Studies . Notable contributions include analyses of Euroskepticism in Italy, the sociopolitical impact of higher education, and the implications of Romania’s 2008 electoral reforms. Awards: Postdoctoral Prize Fellowship (Nuffield College, 2012), Kenan Presidential Fellowship (UNC, 2006-2012), and an ASSBF Grant (2018). Grants: Funded research on local elections across national contexts, reflecting his focus on comparative politics and institutional design. Coman’s interdisciplinary approach bridges political science with sociology, addressing themes such as health behaviors among adolescents and the intersection of education with cultural liberalism.
Summary of Eilis Hennessy Eilis Hennessy is a Professor in the School of Psychology at University College Dublin (UCD). She holds an Orcid identifier (0000-0002-5826-6667) and is affiliated with the Newman Building in UCD's Belfield campus. Her primary research focuses on mental health stigma in children and adolescents, particularly those with chronic health conditions. She has also served in significant administrative roles, including Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning in the College of Social Sciences and Law (2014–2018), Director of the Masters in Psychological Science (2011–2018), and Head of the School of Psychology (2009–2012). Eilis holds a BA and PhD from UCD. Her professional activities include membership in organizations like the Association for Child Psychology and Psychiatry and the British Psychological Society. She has contributed to interdisciplinary initiatives such as the UCD CHilD Research Centre, focusing on children's rights and health. Her teaching interests emphasize fostering transferrable skills and collaborative learning, with roles like module coordinator for courses on Lifespan Developmental Psychology and Youth Mental Health. Her research has explored stigma reduction interventions, mental health literacy in schools, and the impact of the pandemic on youth mental health. Grants include funding for projects on stigma, ethics in mental health, and interdisciplinary child research. Notable publications address topics like social media stigma, self-harm interventions, and barriers to vegetable intake in disadvantaged adolescents. Eilis has been recognized for her work through roles on committees like the Expert Advisory Group on the Early Years Strategy and the Child Development and Education Expert Panel of the National Longitudinal Study of Children in Ireland. Her contributions span academic leadership, policy impact, and community engagement.
Dr. Maura Conway serves as Professor of International Security at Dublin City University's School of Law and Government and is the Coordinator of the VOX-Pol research network. She additionally holds a visiting position at CYTREC, Swansea University. Her expertise focuses on the critical intersection of extremism, terrorism, and digital technologies, where she has established herself as a leading global scholar through over 40 publications in premier journals including Studies in Conflict & Terrorism and Media, War & Conflict. Her research program systematically investigates cyberterrorism, online radicalization pathways, and the operational dynamics of violent extremist content across digital platforms. Prof. Conway examines how terrorist organizations exploit internet infrastructure for recruitment, propaganda dissemination, and operational coordination, while simultaneously analyzing counter-terrorism responses in cyberspace. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical analysis of both far-right and jihadi online ecosystems. Analysis of her recent publications (2021-2025) reveals a strategic evolution from foundational critiques of 'cyberterrorism' hype toward contemporary investigations of platform governance, researcher ethics, and comparative analyses of extremist online behaviors. Her scholarship increasingly addresses the practical complexities of content moderation, researcher safety protocols, and the development of tailored ethical guidelines for high-risk online research environments. Prof. Conway actively engages with global policy institutions, having presented findings to the United Nations in New York, the European Commission in Brussels, and the UK House of Lords. She contributes to international security architecture through her membership on Europol's Counter-terrorism Centre Academic Advisory Board and the Editorial Board of Terrorism and Political Violence, directly influencing counter-terrorism strategies and academic discourse worldwide.
Dr. Claire Cullen is a Lecturer in Psychology at the School of Humanities, South East Technological University (SETU), Waterford, where she also leads the BA (Hons) Psychology Program. Her research focuses on implicit bias, LGBTQ+ rights, sexuality education, and health literacy. She holds a PhD from Maynooth University (2016) and a Professional Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (2007). Education: PhD in Experimental Behavioural Social Psychology, Maynooth University (2016) Professional Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Maynooth University (2007) BA (Single Honors) Psychology (1st Class Hons), Maynooth University (2006) Research Interests: Dr. Cullen specializes in measuring implicit attitudes (e.g., homonegativity) using innovative tools like the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP). She advocates for comprehensive sexuality education, equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and has contributed to national guidelines for LGBTQ+ mental health practice. Her work extends to healthcare disparities among marginalized communities and the psychological impact of cancer survivorship. Awards: Psychological Society of Ireland Honorary Award (2009) Elsevier Award for Excellence in Reviewing (2018) SABAI Invited Presenters Grant (2008) Advising & Grants: She has advised on initiatives like the Irish Humanities Alliance’s Medical and Health Humanities Working Group and previously served on Dublin’s Outhouse Board. Her research has been supported by bodies like the Irish Research Council and the Association of Behavior Analysis International. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams on projects such as nurse-led interventions for homeless populations during the pandemic and teacher training in relationships and sexuality education (RSE).
Padraig MacCarron is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Limerick, specializing in complex networks. He is affiliated with the Centre for Research Training in Foundations of Data Science and the Mathematics Applications Consortium for Science and Industry (MACSI). Education: BSc in Astrophysics from University College Cork; PhD from Coventry University on social networks in narratives. His research focuses on interdisciplinary applications of complex networks, including social polarization, criminal networks, and trust dynamics in health research. He collaborates with Psychology, Law, and Health departments to model social phenomena like community formation and fragmentation. Recent work explores structural properties of social networks through diverse domains such as Twitter analysis for political polarization, participatory health research partnerships, and arts-based methods for migration health co-production. This spans network theory, social media analytics, and data-driven policy modeling. He is a member of MACSI and the Centre for Research Training, emphasizing computational methodologies and team-based collaborations. Padraig actively accepts PhD students for projects involving network science and social systems modeling.
Kevin Murphy is an Assistant Professor at the University of Limerick, affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering. His research spans interdisciplinary domains, combining organizational psychology, cognitive science, and statistical methodology. His work focuses on validity generalization, performance management systems, and the intersection of psychometric testing with workplace dynamics. Recent publications explore diffusion model generalization, substance use interventions in nursing, and age stereotypes in personnel decisions. Selected trends from his research include: Organizational psychology: Performance appraisal, meta-analysis, and statistical power. Cognitive and psychometric studies: Complex problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and validity evidence. Healthcare applications: Maggot debridement therapy, Parkinson’s medication timing, and pandemic recovery strategies.
Dr. Brian Barry is an Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law at Trinity College Dublin's School of Law. He specializes in judicial decision-making, AI in legal systems, and workplace dispute resolution. His research bridges psychology, court operations, and technology, with notable contributions to understanding judicial behavior and AI's role in justice systems. He holds a PhD in Workplace Dispute Resolution from Trinity College Dublin (2013) and an LL.B. (2009) from the same institution. Dr. Barry has advised government agencies on decision-making processes and delivers training to judges on judicial psychology. His work has been cited by courts like the Irish Supreme Court and Australian Federal Court. He has held visiting positions at Columbia University and the University of Toronto, and previously practiced law in Dublin. His 2021 book How Judges Judge explores empirical insights into judicial behavior. Recent research trends focus on AI applications in courts, judicial group decision-making dynamics, and the integration of behavioral economics principles into justice systems. He actively contributes to peer-reviewed journals in legal technology, judicial studies, and dispute resolution. Recognition includes the 2021 Teaching Hero Award from Trinity College Dublin. His advisory work extends to judicial councils and legal education reforms, emphasizing practical applications of empirical findings in legal practice.
Dr Paula McGrath is a Lecturer/Assistant Professor in the School of English, Drama and Film at University College Dublin. She has been a core faculty member since 2013, initially as an Occasional Lecturer and promoted to Assistant Professor/Lecturer in 2021. She currently serves as Acting Head of Creative Writing and coordinates multiple modules including Craft of Creative Writing, Life Writing, and Literary Editorship. Her academic home is UCD, where she earned her MA and MFA, and she completed her PhD at the University of Limerick as a Government of Ireland Postgraduate Fellow. BA (Hons) in Single Honour English Language and Literature – Trinity College Dublin MA in Women’s Studies – University College Dublin MFA in Creative Writing – University College Dublin PhD in Creative Writing – University of Limerick Professional Certificate in University Teaching & Learning – University College Dublin Her research and teaching focus on creative writing, contemporary fiction, environmental writing, and women’s writing. She supervises creative practice and narrative theory, with a particular interest in trauma representation and intergenerational storytelling. Her novels, Generation (2015) and A History of Running Away (2017), have been published internationally and translated into French and German, with critical acclaim from Joseph O’Connor, John Boyne, and others. Her recent publications include journal articles, book reviews, and media commentaries on feminism, literature, and Irish society. The 15 most recent publications reflect a consistent engagement with narrative innovation, feminist themes, and psychological depth across fiction, translation, and criticism. Her work spans creative output and scholarly review, often intersecting personal history with broader cultural questions, particularly around gender, migration, and belonging. She frequently contributes to public discourse through The Irish Times and literary journals. Arts Council literary bursary (2016) Government of Ireland Postgraduate Fellowship Irish Writers Centre/St. Mark’s English Church Writer in Residence in Florence (2016) Dr McGrath has supervised doctoral research under Joseph O’Connor at the University of Limerick and has taught creative writing across levels at UCD. She has not publicly listed her students, but she has coordinated the MFA module Pedagogic Strategies for Creative Writing (2019–2022), indicating a strong mentorship role. She has received research funding from the Arts Council and the British Academy. Her teaching philosophy is student-focused and research-led, emphasizing a supportive, creative environment. She is actively involved in curriculum development and creative writing pedagogy. She is a member of the academic and literary community, with affiliations to the Irish Writers Centre, participation in international literary events, and contributions to public intellectual life through media and translation. Her work bridges creative practice and academic scholarship, positioning her as a leading voice in contemporary Irish literature and creative writing education.
