Dipti Pandya has been appointed Director of UCD Research at University College Dublin. This is a key leadership role, heading up the UCD Research unit to develop strategy, build relationships and support the university’s ambitious research targets.

Dipti was previously a vital part of UCD Research senior management as head of Research Programmes, leading the national, EU, and international funding advisory and contract teams. She is Chair of the European Association for Research Managers and Administrators (EARMA), Co-Chair of the UCD EDI Anti-Racism and Cultural Awareness group, member of University Management Team-Global Engagement Group and member of the Academic Council Quality Enhancement Committee.

Dipti was also appointed by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to the board of Léargas, and was previously a board member for the Irish Universities Quality Board. Prior to joining UCD, Dipti was Director of the Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences.

Commenting on the appointment, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact Professor Kate Robson Brown said: “Dipti Pandya is an experienced and creative leader in research development and administration who is passionate about driving innovations and fostering collaborations between national and international stakeholders. I am delighted that she is to take up the position of Director of UCD Research and I am looking forward to working with her.”

Dipti Pandya also commented: “I am dedicated to making it easier to do world class research at UCD, and will drive a priority to develop enhanced research support for the full project lifecycle for the UCD research community.”

Dipti has a BSc in Government from the University of Essex, an MSc in European Social Policy Analysis from the University of Bath and an MSc in Business (Leadership and Management Practice) from the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. 

During her years in senior management at UCD Research, the university realised a significant increase in research income, from €95 million in 2015 to €220 million in 2023/24. Dipti established the UCD EU Research Office and ERC Talent Team which has contributed to UCD’s positioning at No.1 in Ireland and Top 25 in EU for Horizon Europe research awards, with a total funding capture of €100 million to date.