MU launches Distinguished Collaborator programme

Maynooth University has launched a Distinguished International Collaborator programme, which aims to bring internationally-renowned scientists, scholars, writers, artists and thinkers to the University.

The programme aims to strengthen MU’s international networks and enrich its intellectual environment. It is open to distinguished individuals of professorial standing, or those who have obtained eminence and leadership in their field of expertise or profession.

Its establishment was among the commitments made in the Strategic Plan 2023-2028, which includes internationalisation as a key pillar, “enabling us to engage proactively and strategically with world-leading researchers from across the world and build long-term research partnerships that will enable us to be part of tackling the many big challenges facing our world”.

Visiting professors engage in activities that contribute to the university community, including participating in or leading events, seminars, workshops or lectures for faculty and graduate students, providing mentorship, as well as developing research collaborations and projects as fully involved researchers.
 

Two academics have been appointed under the programme and will be conferred with the title, Distinguished Professor. They are Professor Iram Siraj of Oxford University in the UK and Professor Jan vom Brocke of the University of Münster in Germany.

Professor Siraj is Professor of Child Development and Education, Department of Education, Jesus College, University of Oxford, has been appointed to the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education.

She is a leading scholar in her field, a member of one of the most prestigious Education Departments globally and has been honoured with an OBE for her contribution to Early Childhood Education.

Professor vom Brocke holds the Chair of Information Systems & Business Process Management at the University of Münster and is Director of European Research Center for Information Systems (ERCIS). 

He is an established Professor of Information Systems, focusing on digital transformation and has received international acclaim, having published over 400 scientific articles. He is also  the author and editor of 36 books and will be working with colleagues in the Innovation Value Institute and the Faculty of Social Sciences. 

Professor Rachel Msetfi, Vice President Research and Innovation, said: “I am delighted to announce the appointments of two distinguished professors who will be joining us in the capacity of distinguished international collaborators, and I am sure you will join me in welcoming them both to Maynooth University.”