Five Mary Immaculate College (MIC) academics have been appointed to multidisciplinary committees of the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) for the 2026-2030 term, recognising the breadth of academic expertise across the College.
Dr Derek Kitson, Lecturer in Mathematics Education at MIC Thurles, has been appointed to the RIA’s Physical, Chemical and Mathematical Sciences multidisciplinary committee, while Dr Brian Hughes, Lecturer in History at MIC, has been appointed to the Historical Studies committee.
Dr Sabine Egger, Associate Professor of German Studies, and Dr Deirdre Flynn, Lecturer in 21st Century Literature, have both been appointed to the Languages, Literature, Culture and Communications committee. Dr Egger returns to the committee having previously served a four-year term.
Dr Breandán Ó Cróinín, Head of the Department of Irish at MIC, has been appointed to Coiste Léann na Gaelige agus an Léinn Cheiltigh, the RIA committee focused on Irish and Celtic Studies.
The RIA’s multidisciplinary and standing committees bring together leading academics, researchers and industry experts from across the island of Ireland to support research, inform public policy and engagement, and promote scholarship in their respective disciplines. Committee members were selected following a highly competitive open call and will serve a four-year term, helping to shape the Academy’s programme of public events, conferences, reports and other initiatives that address issues of national and international importance.
Speaking on his appointment, Dr Kitson said:
“I am delighted to be joining the Physical, Chemical and Mathematical Sciences multidisciplinary committee of the Royal Irish Academy for the next four years. I look forward to contributing to its work in bringing prominent speakers to Ireland, supporting EDI initiatives, championing fundamental research and strengthening links with mathematical organisations in Ireland and overseas. As a mathematics lecturer at MIC Thurles I am keen to support activities with an all-island reach and to offer world-class educational experiences for our future mathematics educators.”
Dr Hughes welcomed his appointment, saying:
“I am honoured to have been elected to the Royal Irish Academy's Historical Studies committee for the 2026-30 term and look forward to working collaboratively with eminent colleagues from across the island to promote History and the Liberal Arts. I am also delighted to be able to represent MIC on the committee, and to give the Department of History a voice as we engage publicly with the big opportunities and challenges facing our discipline.”
The new committee term will run from 2026 to 2030, with members meeting regularly to develop programmes of work that support research excellence, public engagement and collaboration across Ireland and internationally.
