Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has appointed the first 12 members of Ireland’s new National Science Advice Forum, marking the establishment of a body intended to strengthen scientific input into national policy.
Announcing the appointments, Minister Lawless said:
“I am delighted to appoint the first members of the National Science Advice Forum. The level of interest, and the calibre of those interested, was exceptionally high. I look forward to the contribution of the Forum in the period ahead”.
Among those selected are our colleagues Professor Deirdre Ahern of Trinity College Dublin and Professor Barry O’Sullivan of University College Cork.
Deirdre Ahern, based in the School of Law at Trinity College Dublin, directs the Technologies, Law & Society Research Group and specialises in the ethics, policy and regulation of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. She frequently works across disciplines including physicists, computer scientists, and ethicists.
Barry O’Sullivan, a full professor at University College Cork’s School of Computer Science and IT, focuses on artificial intelligence, constraint programming, operations research, AI and data ethics, as well as public policy.
Membership of the National Science Advice Forum will run for three years. The Forum is expected to provide independent scientific expertise to inform government decision-making across key policy areas.
Read the full press release here.
