merrion street

The Minister of State for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O’Connor T.D., congratulated Professor John Walsh and Professor Malcolm MacLachlan on the award of the 2017 Royal Irish Academy Gold Medals. The 2017 Academy Gold Medals acknowledge exemplary work in the Social Sciences and Environmental Sciences and Geosciences. The medals were presented at a ceremony in Academy House.

Minister Mitchell O’Connor applauded the medallists on their many achievements, saying

“we can take pride in the achievements of the recipients of the Gold Medal awards and in the research and work that they represent. The recipients are leaders, not only in their respective fields, but as academics, teachers, and mentors in higher education. Both Professor Walsh and Professor MacLachlan are role models to their students and colleagues. May they inspire their students to strive for excellence, creativity, and innovation.”

She also paid tribute to the Royal Irish Academy and the Gold Medal Awards stating

“the awards are a recognition of research excellence by peers, who are themselves recognised for their achievements through membership of the Royal Irish Academy. The Awards are made on the basis of the recipients’ lifetime of commitment to the highest standards of scholarship in their discipline. They are a well-deserved acknowledgement of academic excellence and outstanding contribution to the fields of Social Sciences and Environmental and Geosciences, both nationally and internationally.”

The Royal Irish Academy Gold Medals are awarded to two outstanding academics each year and are recognised as a truly national expression of celebration for scholarly achievement. Each medal is testament to the highest standards in scholarship and they are a well-deserved recognition of scientific excellence. The RIA Gold Medals are sponsored by the Higher Education Authority.