UN Academic Impact & How Universities Can Address Global Challenges
To mark the occasion of UCD joining United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), the UCD Earth Institute hosted a panel discussion on May 11, 2021 on the role of universities to address urgent global challenges through teaching and research.
Prof. Orla Feely (Vice President for Research, Innovation and Impact, UCD) opened the event and welcomed Mr. Ramu Damodaran, chief of UN Academic Impact. Prof. Patrick Paul Walsh (UCD School of Politics and International Relations) outlined UCD’s progress to align with UN and UNAI principles to date. Prof. Walsh then introduced Ramu Damodaran, who explained the mission of UNAI, the benefits of membership and how researchers can play an active role in the organisation.
A panel discussion followed, featuring four UCD academics: Prof. Tasman Crowe (Biology and Environmental Science and Director, UCD Earth Institute), Dr. Andrew Jackson (Sutherland School of Law), Prof. Dolores O’Riordan (Vice President for Global Engagement and director, UCD Institute for Food and Health), and Prof. Emma Teeling (Biology and Environmental Science), who each spoke to their area of expertise: climate, oceans, biodiversity and food systems. These are four important foci for UN dialogues and conferences in the coming year. Panelists outlined their research in the context of the global challenges in this area. Mr. Damodaran and the panel then discussed science policy interface and the routes within the UN system for researchers and HEI’s to make an impact.
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