University of Galway sets ambitious agenda of research excellence for public      Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Patrick O’Donovan T.D. has today officially launched the new Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation at University of Galway.    The new research institute brings together more than 200 researchers and academics at the University to pioneer the understanding of disease, and solutions for healthcare.    The Institute’s strategic combination of expertise will facilitate sustained, research-led development at University of Galway, further positioning the Greater Galway region as the centre of Ireland’s global medtech hub and a significant contributor to economic growth and regional development.     The Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation will leverage the University’s expertise in biomedical science and engineering and combine it with our research strength in the field of medicine.     It will operate in close collaboration with the University’s Institute for Clinical Trials, which was launched in 2023, as well as CÚRAM, the Research Ireland-Taighde Éireann funded centre for medical devices, and BioInnovate, the fellowship programme under the Enterprise Ireland Innovators’ Initiative.    Minister O’Donovan said: “I am delighted to be here today to officially launch the new Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation at University of Galway. This groundbreaking initiative brings together over 200 researchers and academics to drive forward our understanding of disease and develop innovative healthcare solutions.    “The Institute’s strategic collaboration of expertise will not only advance research-led development at the University, but also strengthen our position as a global hub for medtech innovation.”    Professor Peter McHugh, Interim President of University of Galway, said: “Excellence in research has been the bedrock of teaching and learning at University of Galway since its foundation in the 1840s. The establishment of the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation, alongside the recently established Institute for Clinical Trials marks a new level of ambition in our strategic approach to research.    “We welcome Minister O’Donovan to officially mark the beginning of this new journey as we create the environment to enable the translation of fundamental scientific research into potentially life-changing treatments and interventions that directly benefit society - fulfilling our mission to be here for public good.”    The Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation is led by Interim Director Professor Ted Vaughan. Its work will encompass the breadth of biomedical science and engineering research, including fundamental science and discovery, in areas such as cancer biology, cell and chromosome biology; biomedical engineering and medical technologies; regenerative medicine; neuroscience; diagnostics; and advanced therapeutics.     The new university research capacity will enhance the harnessing of scientific breakthroughs for the benefit of clinical trials and healthcare, by accelerating the provision of potentially disruptive and cutting-edge therapies and medical solutions, and how they are applied in the treatment of disease.    Ends 

Researchers at University of Galway are inviting the public to participate in a new cross-border Citizen Science survey and record sightings of red foxes in cities. The survey is particularly focused on the largest cities, both north and south - Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Derry and Waterford. Researchers aim to source as much valuable data as possible for conservation planning for the red fox and to find solutions for potential human-wildlife conflicts. Dr Colin Lawton of University of Galway’s School of Natural Sciences said: “These Citizen Science projects are a brilliant opportunity for us to tap into the wealth of knowledge and information that Irish people have about wildlife in their area. We would love to hear about any sighting or encounter with a fox, whether it is a regular garden visitor, or a chance meeting late at night!” In recent years, urban areas have become increasingly important to Ireland’s wildlife as animals move into expanding cities in search of food and shelter. Red foxes in particular have proved very adaptable and can successfully live out their lives in an urban environment. They are opportunistic animals that are known to thrive in built up areas due to the availability of food sources, such as discarded food, insects and fruit. They also hunt other urban animals such as rats, mice, and pigeons. Being nocturnal, they scavenge at night and seek daytime refuge in gardens, parks, and abandoned buildings.             Project Officer Jodie O’Regan said: “The ecology of urban foxes can often be very different from their rural counterparts, as the proximity of people and relative abundance of food causes them to change their behaviour, but they are the same species. Every record that we get in a citizen science project of this nature will make a difference in understanding urban fox distribution and behaviour and can shed light on the needs of the animals and the potential of cities to provide for them.” Members of the public can record their sightings using the Urban Fox Survey page, hosted by the National Biodiversity Data Centre https://biodiversityireland.ie/surveys/urban-fox-survey/ And if a fox frequently visits your property, please email urbanfoxsurvey@gmail.com. More information can be found on the survey on Facebook (@Urban Fox Survey), Instagram (@urbanfoxsurvey) and Twitter (@UrbanFoxSurvey). Ends

University of Galway’s Professor Siobhán Mullally supports study analysing effect of armed conflict in seven regions worldwide Armed conflict puts children at an increased risk of grave violations while their risk of being trafficked similarly increases, including in transitional period, a new UN study has revealed. The study – the first of its kind – was produced by the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, in close collaboration with the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Professor Siobhán Mullally. Professor Mullally is the Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at University of Galway and was appointed Special Rapporteur by the UN Human Rights Council in July 2020.  The study analyses the links between child trafficking and the six grave violations against children caught up in war. They are recruitment and use, killing and maiming, rape and other forms of sexual violence, abduction, attacks on schools and hospitals, and denial of humanitarian access.               Professor Mullally said: “The study addresses a key gap in policy and practice on the protection of children in armed conflict, and limited attention has been given to child trafficking as a protection risk, or to the prevention of child trafficking and accountability, as priorities for sustainable peace. The lack of accountability for child trafficking further contributes to continuing cycles of impunity.”  Focus was on seven countries or geographic areas - Colombia, the Lake Chad basin in Africa, Libya, Myanmar, South Sudan, Syria, and Ukraine - and the report offers recommendations for ensuring greater protection and accountability.             Special Representative of the Secretary General, Virginia Gamba said: “What this study shows are the ways in which child trafficking overlaps and interacts with the six grave violations while mapping out legal and policy responses, which too often are done in silos.” Child trafficking in armed conflict takes many forms, including sexual exploitation and sexual slavery, child marriage, forced labour, recruitment and use in combat and support roles. It has long been used by parties to armed conflicts to control and terrorize communities and to support and sustain conflict. At the same time, grave violations are often part of the lead-up to, process of, or aftermath of child trafficking.  For example, denial of humanitarian access during wartime can make children more vulnerable to being trafficked. Furthermore, the Study found that the risks of child trafficking are deeply gendered. Whereas girls are most often targeted for sexual exploitation and child marriage, boys are more likely to be recruited for use in  hostilities, and sexual exploitation of boys is often under-reported. There also can be both internal and cross-border dimensions to child trafficking in armed conflict. The study recommended calls for full application of the non-punishment principle to emphasize that trafficked children are victims rather than accomplices, and early identification of victims is critical. Other recommendations underscore the importance of countries preventing child trafficking and ensuring long-term protection for victims, including through addressing poverty and gender inequality, ensuring universal registration of all children, and eliminating statelessness.   The study was launched at UN Headquarters on October 3rd, at an event co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Greece, Panama, Colombia and the Philippines, with Professor Siobhán Mullally and SRSG Virginia Gamba presenting on the research. The full text of the Report is published at: https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/virtual-library/documents/publications/ Ends