We need to build on our knowledge economy

OPINION: Ireland should strive for research excellence across all disciplines and face societal challenges, writes CONOR O'CARROLL (Conor O’Carroll is research director in the Irish Universities Association, iua.ie).

We have come through a period of unprecedented growth in research activity in Ireland. New funding agencies Science Foundation Ireland and the two research councils emerged between 1998 and 2006. The Higher Education Authority’s Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI) brought about closer research collaboration across the higher education sector and supported the modernisation of our research infrastructure. Read more...