Prof Rob Kitchen was among a group of nineteen inductees, including engineers, historians and a criminologist, who signed the Academy roll book at 4pm on 29 May. Prof Rob Kitchin is a Professor and ERC Advanced Investigator in the National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis at Maynooth University. He served as the director of the institute between 2002 and 2013. Prof Kitchin, along with co-author Martin Dodge, won the Meridian Book Award (presented by the American Association of Geographers for outstanding scholarly work in Geography) in 2011, and he was the recipient of the Royal Irish Academy Gold Medal for Social Sciences in 2013.
Speaking at the announcement Maynooth University President, Professor Philip Nolan said: “The University is delighted with this well deserved recognition of our colleagues, and we extend them our warmest congratulations on this wonderful achievement.”
There are now 493 members of the Academy and 76 honorary members, in disciplines from the sciences, humanities and social sciences. Members of the Academy include President Michael D. Higgins; Baroness Nuala O’Loan; Patrick Honohan, Governor of the Central Bank; Roy Foster, historian; and the writer and cartographer Tim Robinson.
Professor Mary E. Daly, President of the Royal Irish Academy, said that all those elected “have made world renowned contributions to research in the sciences or humanities...Irish scholars are highly sought after and are increasingly being head-hunted for top positions in leading universities and research centres throughout the world.”
She warned that Ireland needed to retain this talent so that we can produce the high-level graduates that are critical for Ireland’s economic recovery.
“Funding does not of itself guarantee a strong higher education system, but without adequate funding and long-term assurance about the continuation of research funds, the sector is, and will increasingly be, faced with a brain drain.”
See more at: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/news-events/maynooth-academics-enrolled-members-royal-irish-academy#sthash.p4jptijo.dpuf