Prof Linda Doyle â one of Irelandâs leading researchers â has been appointed as the new Dean of Research, the first woman to take up the role for at least a decade.
As Professor of Engineering and the Arts in Trinity, Doyleâs profile has risen quickly in College over the last 20 years, receiving plaudits from Provost Patrick Prendergast and leading one of the Irelandâs brightest research centres.
With hundreds of papers bearing her name and over âŹ70 million of research funding raised in the last decade, Doyle is one of the rising stars in Trinity. As the Director of Connect, a Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) centre, Doyle is responsible for heading up one of the worldâs leading centres for networks and communications technology.
Speaking to The University Times by email, Doyle said that she was âhonoured and delightedâ to take on the role. Her appointment to the role was approved by the College Board in October.
Doyle acknowledged how important research is to Trinity and âhow lucky we are to have such talented researchers hereâ.
She will replace John Boland, who stepped back from the role earlier this year in the middle of his tenure. In the role for two years, Bolandâs tenure wasnât without criticism. In 2016, Trinity was accused of attempting to influence the QS rankings after sending emails to Trinity graduates and academics to fill in an online survey about the College. This was a breach of the rules for the rankings, with QS threatening to exclude Trinity completely.
Bolandâs resignation was the second in a series of staff departures, joining HR Director Kate Malone in stepping down from a high-profile role.
Over the last decade, Trinity has established itself as one of the leading research universities in Ireland, attracting millions in research funding. In 2016, the College was made the newest member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) â one of Europeâs most exclusive academic groups.
Aware of the feat that faces her as Dean of Research, Doyle said that âthere is a lot to learnâ but it is a challenge she looks forward to. Speaking to The University Times previously, she admitted that she has always âhad a natural interest in teachingâ.
Doyleâs expertise rests in the fields of wireless communications, cognitive radio, reconfigurable networks, spectrum management and creative arts practices. She is also a prolific figure within the arts. Sitting on several gallery boards such as Trinityâs Douglas Hyde and the Pallas Studios, Doyle has long been a supporter of combining art and science. Within Connect, the Orthogonal Methods Group looks at how creative interventions can help bring researchers together. The centre also houses an Artist in Residence, Curator in Residence and a Writer in Residence.
She also sits on the National Broadband Steering Committee, while giving time to events such as the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition as well. Speaking to The University Times last year, Cormac Sreenan, Professor of Computer Science at University College Cork (UCC) and a Deputy Director of Connect, said that Doyle was unique as ânot everyone can claim that level of impact national within government, and also within major industryâ.
Speaking to The University Times previously, Yvonne Scott, Director of the Trinity College Irish Art Research Centre (TRIARC) and Associate Professor of History of Art, said that Doyle was âone of the most extraordinary individuals in the universityâ. Praising Doyle for her ability to look at things from ânew perspectivesâ, Scott said that she is âa very, very exciting person to work about because of how sheâs sparking with ideasâ.
The Dean of Research leads and manages the Collegeâs research, innovation, technology transfer and entrepreneurship strategies and is a member of the Executive Officers Group. The Dean also chairs the Collegeâs research committee, which deals with research matters and reports back to University Council.