Minister Lawless appoints first members of new National Science Advice Forum
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Minister Lawless appoints first members of new National Science Advice Forum

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has appointed 12 members to the new National Science Advice Forum.

Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy set out the intention to develop new science advice structures across Government.

Last year, Professor Aoife McLysaght was appointed as Government Science Advisor and the appointment of the National Science Advice Forum is the next step in building this model.

It is recognised that science advice in policy formation has become more complex and that it is impossible for one individual to have the depth of expertise needed to advise on all scientific matters. The Minister therefore issued an invitation for expressions of interest in membership of the new Forum from those with internationally recognised scientific expertise in a range of key disciplines.

Minister Lawless said:

“I am delighted to appoint the first members of the National Science Advice Forum. The level of interest, and the calibre of those interested, was exceptionally high. I look forward to the contribution of the Forum in the period ahead”.

Following significant interest in membership, the Minister has appointed:

Gianpiero Cavalleri
Professor of Human Genetics
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Stefano Sanvito
Professor. Chair of Condensed Matter Theory in the School of Physics
Trinity College Dublin
Gordon Harold
Professor of the Psychology of Education and Mental Health
University of Cambridge
Sarah A Gleeson
Professor in Sustainability Geoscience at the School of Earth Sciences
University College Dublin
Ronan Glynn
Health Sector Lead 
EY Ireland
Deirdre Ahern
Professor in Law
Trinity College Dublin
Colum Dunne
Professor. Dean of the School of Medicine
University of Limerick
Róisín M. Owens 
Professor of Bioelectronics 
University of Cambridge
Brian Ó Gallachóir
Professor of Sustainability 
University College Cork
Barry O’Sullivan
Professor at the School of Computer Science & IT
University College Cork
Eimear Kenny 
Chair and Professor of Genomic Health Icahn School of Medicine 
Mount Sinai, New York
Neil J Rowan
Professor. Director of the Bioscience Research Institute
Technological University of the Shannon

The Government Science Advisor will now convene and Chair the National Science Advice Forum which will assist her in providing advice.

Notes

Short biographies of the members of the Forum are attached.

On 26 September 2025 the Minister issued an invitation for expressions of interest in membership of the new National Science advice Forum. This was placed on the Department’s website and a press release issued to draw attention.

Interest was invited from those with internationally recognised scientific expertise across all types of good quality science that can contribute to the issues at hand, this includes natural sciences, engineering, medicine, social sciences and humanities. Expressions of interest were invited from both academics and practitioners.

Membership will be for a period of three years and participation in the forum is voluntary and unremunerated.

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