Dan Carey, Professor of English at University of Galway, has been elected as the 59th President of the Royal Irish Academy (RIA).

Professor Carey succeeds Professor Pat Guiry at the conclusion of his Presidential term at the helm of Ireland’s independent learned society and leading body of experts in the sciences, humanities and social sciences.

Elected to membership of the Academy in 2014, Professor Carey has been an active contributor to its work, serving as Vice-President in 2017–18 and 2020–21; Secretary for Humanities and Social Sciences from 2021–24; and Secretary from 2024–26. He also served as Chair of the Irish Research Council from 2022 to 2024.

Commenting on his election, Professor Carey said: "It is a great honour to be elected President of the Royal Irish Academy. I look forward to building on the Academy’s strengths by contributing our expertise, engaging the public, developing research programmes, and supporting governance and staff. We will deepen key relationships with the Higher Education Authority, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and Research Ireland, while growing the international profile of our work. Alongside this, we will strengthen fundraising to support core activities, advance equality, diversity and inclusion, and expand the Academy as a space of interaction and engagement, enhancing our convening power through the work of our programmes. I look forward to working with Members and staff to reinforce the Academy’s commitment to public life, north and south."

The Academy also paid tribute to outgoing President Professor Pat Guiry, thanking him for his dedicated leadership and his profound commitment to the Academy’s Members, partners and staff, and to the wider research, academic and policy communities.

Lynn Scarff, Executive Director, RIA said: "The role of President carries responsibility for stewarding the Academy and sustaining its influence as a trusted voice in public discourse and policy formulation. I look forward to working with Professor Carey as President, continuing to strengthen the impact of the Royal Irish Academy, expand collaborative opportunities, and enhance its service to scholarship and the public good."

Recent past presidents include Dr Mary Canning (2020–2023), Professor Peter Kennedy (2017–2020) and Professor Mary E. Daly (2014–2017).

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