Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has today encouraged submissions on the supports the State should be providing to PhD researchers.
The Co-Chairs of the independent National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers, Dr Andrea Johnson and David Cagney, met with Minister Harris on Thursday before launching a public consultation, which will run until 10am on Monday, March 13th.
The public consultation is an opportunity for all stakeholders and interested parties to provide their views on State supports for PhD researchers.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said: “I always said that this review would hear from the frontline and this public consultation is an important part of that engagement.
“It is an opportunity for stakeholders – students, higher education institutions, employers - to provide their views and I encourage all interested parties to respond. The input will form an important part of the deliberations by the Co-Chairs, who will report to me by the end of next month.
“We want Ireland to be a leader in talent, so we have to ensure that our brightest talent here in Ireland can pursue their research ambitions in a supportive environment. I look forward to receiving the report’s recommendations.”
This consultation is in addition to the Co-Chairs’ engagements with representatives of PhD students, which will be held over the next fortnight. The Co-Chairs will also consult with stakeholders in a number of European systems to understand the practice in other countries.
As part of Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy, the Government committed to supporting all students as they gain the skills and experience to help them develop and succeed in the research and innovation (R&I) space.
The Government also committed to working to ensure the research community is reflective of society as a whole, and that it provides opportunities for all.
Minister Harris added: “The overarching objective of Impact 2030: Ireland’s National Strategy for Research and Innovation is to maximise the impact of research and innovation on our economy and our society.
“We are committed to investing in talent and ensuring that there are appropriate supports for researchers.”
The Co-Chairs will report to Minister Harris by the end of March 2023, detailing the current situation and offering short and longer term recommendations. Minister Harris will then consider the Co-Chairs’ report and may bring forward proposals to Cabinet before the end of June 2023.
How to Respond
The preferred means of response is by an online form, although submissions may be made by email if it is not possible to respond using the online form. Please see section 2 of the consultation document for full details.
Have your say here: https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/19070-phd-researcher-supports
ENDS
Notes to the Editor:
Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy was launched on 18 May 2022 following extensive stakeholder consultation. The domestic and international context has fundamentally changed since previous research and innovation (R&I) strategies and Impact 2030 reflects that.
This Whole-of-Government Strategy leverages Ireland’s performance to date to advance the strategic development of our R&I system and to put R&I at the heart of Ireland’s response to critical social, economic and environmental challenges including: climate change and the need to transition to a climate-neutral society; the pressure on the public health system due to a growing and aging population; the need for greater and sustainable housing; economic transformation fuelled by technological and other change; greater international competition and geopolitical instability; increased mobility of talent; and the need to build societal resilience against the threat of shocks.
Impact 2030 addresses these and other challenges through 30 Flagship Initiatives under the following five Pillars:
- Maximising the Impact of R&I on our Economy, Society and the Environment;
- Impact of R&I Structures on Excellence and Outcomes;
- Innovation Driving Enterprise Success;
- Talent at the Heart of the R&I Ecosystem; and
- All-Island, EU and Global Connectivity.
Under Pillar Four, the Government will support all students to gain the skills and experience that will enable them to engage with, and respond to, the latest R&I developments. The Government will promote a consistent research student experience and we will work to ensure that the research community is reflective of society and provides opportunities for all. The Government will ensure that researchers have the right skills development and career opportunities so that they can make their maximum contribution, whether in academia, industry, the public sector or elsewhere. Career pathways will be improved, starting with the National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers, which Minister Harris announced in October 2022.
In November 2022, Dr Andrea C. Johnson and David Cagney were appointed as Co-Chairs for this national review.
- Dr Andrea C. Johnson is the Chairperson of Women in Technology & Science Ireland (WITS), which has as its five-year strategic plan to advance the retention of women throughout their STEM careers by researching, developing and sharing insights and best practice. Dr Johnson is also Vice President of Technology at Workhuman, an Irish Technology Unicorn, and has a PhD in Computer Science.
- David Cagney recently retired as Chief Human Resource Officer for the Civil Service, a role he was appointed to in September 2015. Prior to joining the Civil Service, he held the position of Director of Human Resources at the Dublin Institute of Technology and previously worked in a variety of other HR roles. He also served as a Vice Chairman of the Employment Appeals Tribunal from 2007 to 2010.
The Co-Chairs reviewed international comparators and models and are engaging with relevant stakeholders, including through this public consultation. The Co-Chairs will report to Minister Harris by the end of March 2023, detailing the current situation and offering short and longer term recommendations. Minister Harris will consider the Co-Chairs’ report and may bring forward proposals to Cabinet before the end of June 2023.