معرفی
Professor Aoife Ahern is College Principal of the College of Engineering and Architecture at University College Dublin (UCD), where she also serves as Dean of Engineering and Vice President for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. She is the first woman to hold these leadership roles in UCD. Her academic career spans over two decades, with roles including Head of the School of Civil Engineering and Head of Teaching and Learning. Ahern holds a PhD in Transport Studies from University College London, awarded the Smeed Prize for her research.
- Holds a BA (First Class Honours) and BAI from Trinity College Dublin
- Recipient of the Chevening and UCL scholarships
- Currently chairs UCD's Dignity and Respect Oversight Committee
- Member of Engineers Ireland's Accreditation Board
Research focuses on sustainable transport policy, gender equity in engineering, and critical thinking in education. Notable projects include:
- Leading UCD's Chang'an Dublin International College of Transportation
- EU-funded studies on transport equity and pedagogy
- Climate policy work via the Carbon Budget Committee
Awards include Engineers Ireland's President's Award (2025), and she is a Fellow of both Engineers Ireland and the Irish Academy of Engineers.
Teaching innovations include PBL methods and curriculum reviews, emphasizing critical thinking and collaborative learning. Current research examines women's retention in engineering careers, funded by Smurfit Kappa (2023-2025).
