Ciarán Conlon Appointed Adjunct Associate Professor at University College Dublin’s School of Politics and International Relations
July 2024
University College Dublin is pleased to announce the appointment of Ciarán Conlon as Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Politics and International Relations (SPIRe). Mr. Conlon will join SPIRe for a five-year term, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his extensive career in the political sector and his current role at Microsoft.
Newly appointed Adjust Associate Professor Ciarán Conlon meeting Professor Orla Feely, President of UCD
Mr. Conlon expressed his excitement about the new role, stating, “This was never really in the career plan, but I am thrilled to join the SPIRe team and bring whatever insights from my time adjacent to the political system to the School and its programmes. I have long held the view that the best chance for better policy-making outcomes is for a clearer understanding of the experiences and needs of the different groups that inform and depend on that policy process.”
This was never really in the career plan, but I am thrilled to join the SPIRe team and bring whatever insights from my time adjacent to the political system to the School and its programmes. I have long held the view that the best chance for better policy-making outcomes is for a clearer understanding of the experiences and needs of the different groups that inform and depend on that policy process.
He emphasised the importance of collaboration and mutual learning in achieving these outcomes, aligning well with his current work at Microsoft, which focuses on partnering to tackle significant tech policy challenges. Mr Conlon recently met with faculty members at the School of Politics and International Relations to discuss potential contributions to teaching, learning, and research in the School. He also had the opportunity to meet with UCD’s President, Orla Feely, and Vice-President for Strategy and External Engagement, Triona McCormack, discussing the importance of UCD as a global centre of learning and research excellence. Reflecting on his new appointment, Mr. Conlon stated, “If I can add some value over the coming period to SPIRe and UCD’s work programme, I’ll be very proud to do so.”