In the News..

Sixteen student places are being made available at University of Galway under the University of Sanctuary Scholarship programme as part of events to mark World Refugee Day.  The Scholarship has welcomed 71 students from 24 different countries to the University since applications first opened in 2019. The programme is open to International Protection applicants, refugees, vulnerable immigrant groups and Irish Travellers.   For the 2025-26 academic year, applications for undergraduate and postgraduate study under University of Sanctuary Scholarships are open from today - Friday June 20th.  The announcement is being made on World Refugee Day, an international day designated by the United Nations to express solidarity with refugees around the globe and to highlight the strength and courage of those forced to flee their home countries.  A series of events are being hosted at University of Galway to mark the day, which is a collaborative effort between the Office of the Vice-President for Equality Diversity and Inclusion and the Access Centre. Among them is a campus tour for 50 pupils from the Galway Educate Together National School as part of the Schools of Sanctuary Programme. The school children will also take part in an interactive workshop led by current scholars in the University of Sanctuary programme which is designed to foster a sense of community and empathy and to ensure Ireland remains a welcoming place for all, given the country’s history of forced migration, famine and civil war.   The United Nations flag will fly at the Quadrangle, reaffirming the University’s commitment to offering sanctuary for those fleeing their homeland or facing discrimination in Ireland, such as Irish Travellers.  A panel discussion to mark the 10th anniversary of the Marriage Equality referendum and the Gender Recognition Act will take place, bringing together voices from advocacy, research, legal practice, and lived experience. The event will focus on recent developments in Europe and the US relating to transgender rights and their implications for those seeking International Protection in Ireland.   Dr Helen Maher, Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at University of Galway, said: “The University of Sanctuary Scholarships reflect the University’s new Strategic Plan 2025-2030 - Of Galway, For the World - placing a strong emphasis on the mission to foster a diverse and inclusive academic environment where everyone feels welcomed and supported and, with the University’s reaccreditation as a designated University of Sanctuary later this year, such supports, and solidarity can offer hope and a future for students facing discrimination and fleeing persecution.”  Aidan Harte, University of Sanctuary Officer, University of Galway, said: “World Refugee Day provides an opportunity for the University community to express solidarity with everyone seeking Sanctuary around the world. Welcoming Galway Educate Together National School pupils on campus to meet with Sanctuary scholars was a truly impactful opportunity to link our surrounding communities with life on campus. The fourth-class students took part in a workshop around the theme of welcoming and Inclusion and spoke about how they would welcome new people into their communities.  “Such opportunities reflect the University's commitment to providing invaluable opportunities to attend university under the University of Sanctuary Scholarship Programme."   Scholarship applications will close at 12pm on Friday July 11th.  Applications can be made here: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/sanctuary/scholarships/  Ends 

New research from University of Galway reveals how red squirrels adapt their behaviours in habitat shared with pine marten Ireland’s native red squirrels are able to detect and respond to a returning natural predator, the pine marten, according to a new study from University of Galway.  The research reveals that these behavioural changes enhance their chance of survival and help to explain their resilience of red squirrels, particularly in contrast to the sharp decline of the invasive grey squirrel, following the resurgence of the pine marten.  Co-authored by Dr Emily Reilly and Dr Colin Lawton of the School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, the full study was published today in Royal Society Open Science.  The research into red squirrel behaviour was conducted over 16 months in two woodland sites - Derryclare Woods in Connemara, Co Galway, and Belleek Woods in Ballina, Co Mayo.  Using trail cameras at feeding stations, researchers monitored and analysed visits by red squirrels and pine martens. The team discovered that red squirrels showed an anti-predator response by feeding less and showing increased vigilance, indicating that they can detect recent pine marten presence and judge the level of threat based on how recently the presence occurred.  The researchers showed that this heightened caution faded over time, suggesting that red squirrels are capable of assessing the risk and adapting their responses accordingly.  Rising pine marten populations have led to a sharp decline in grey squirrel numbers in recent years. Around the same time the red squirrel population has not only persisted, but increased.  The study suggests that this divergence in population is due to the red squirrel’s long evolutionary history with the pine marten, which has equipped the arboeal creature with instinctive behaviours such as alertness and reduced feeding that allow them to coexist with their natural predator.  Unfortunately for the grey squirrel, it does not share either the evolutionary history or the instinctive behaviours.   Dr Emily Reilly said: “It is amazing to see the red squirrels respond to the presence of a pine marten that may have visited the feeding station hours or even days earlier. Their level of sensitivity is impressive and has clearly given them a significant survival advantage. The research from our woodlands in the west of Ireland is a fascinating example of how the protection of native species, in this case, the pine marten, can help restore balance in the ecosystem.”  The full study published in Royal Society Open Science is available at https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.250661     Ends  

University of Galway is the number one university in Ireland for sustainable development for the fourth year in a row. The ranking has been announced in the Times Higher Education Impact report in recognition of the University’s progress in responding to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As well as being top of the class in Ireland, the ranking places University of Galway No. 3 in the EU. Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025 ranked 2,526 universities from 130 countries on their progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The number of universities taking part in the rankings is up 65% on the previous year, making the University of Galway achievement all the more significant. Interim President of University of Galway, Professor Peter McHugh, said: “Ranking University of Galway number 1 in Ireland and top 3 in the EU is a magnificent reward for our staff and our leadership on sustainability measures. Our recently launched new Strategic Plan 2025–2030, Of Galway, For the World is not only a symbol of that focus but also a signal as to how we will further embed sustainability into our teaching, research, operations, and partnerships, fostering the next generation of leaders and innovators to tackle global challenges.”  Professor Becky Whay, Interim Deputy President and Registrar, University of Galway, and Chair of the University Sustainability Advisory Board, said: “The recognition of the University’s efforts and achievements in embedding the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals is a testament to our people and collective spirit. A huge congratulations goes to everyone involved, across our curriculum, research and operations. Our students are reaping the rewards of these endeavours as their time studying with us allows them to develop the knowledge, skills and experiences to transition to a sustainable future.”  Richard Manton, Director of Sustainability at University of Galway, said: “Confirmation of University of Galway's leading position on sustainability is a great credit to our Community University Sustainability Partnership (CUSP), which this year celebrates its 10th birthday, and to the entire University community. Students, staff and community partners have enthusiastically embraced our model to learn, live and lead on sustainability. As a National SDG Ambassador, we will continue to advocate the Sustainable Development Goals and act as a good practice example on our green, biodiverse and sustainable campus.”  Among the highlights from the ranking for University of Galway are – top 50 in the world for actions on SDG12 Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG3 Good Health and Wellbeing; and SDG17 Partnerships for the Goals. University of Galway is also ranked top 75 in the world for SDG6 Clean Water and Sanitation - following a submission under this category for the first time - and SDG14 Life Below Water. Some of the key measures which have been taken by University of Galway in the realm of sustainability are:   Researchers have developed a global reputation for innovation for health, sustainable and resilient environments (earth and ocean), creativity, culture and society, and transformative data and AI. Sustainability is embedded throughout across the curriculum and the University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses focused on sustainability. Our campus is the most biodiverse university campus in Ireland and we hold the An Taisce Green Campus Flag. We have introduced new wildflower enhancement schemes, bird boxes, bat boxes, insect hotels, beehives, a pollinator friendly pesticide code and a log tree hive. University of Galway is home to the first lab in Europe to awarded Green Lab certification and all the labs in the Alice Perry Engineering Building are certified as green. University of Galway campus and buildings are testbeds for positive sustainable actions. Since 2016, the University has halved its greenhouse gas emissions and is on course to surpass public sector 2030 targets. We have replaced fossil fuel boilers with heat pumps, rolled out solar PV across campus and developed innovative energy projects. On-campus park and ride buses are electric. A network of internal and external drinking water fountain have been installed campus wide.  Ends