Dr Deirdre Lillis, President of TU Dublin
2nd December 2024
The Governing Body of Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) recently announced the appointment of Dr Deirdre Lillis as its next President.
Dr Lillis currently serves as Assistant Secretary-General at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, overseeing the Research, Innovation, Evidence for Policy and EU/International Division. She has led key national initiatives, including the Impact 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy and the Global Citizens 2030 International Talent and Innovation Strategy.
Her extensive experience and expertise encompasses government operations, policy development, international collaborations and the nexus between policy and research.
A proven senior executive in higher education, Dr Lillis’s prior experience includes university leadership roles in university-enterprise engagement in TU Dublin and as Head of Computer Science in Dublin Institute of Technology. She has a track record of research capacity building, internationalisation and transformation in higher education including being principal investigator for an unprecedented national investment in university-enterprise engagement through the Human Capital Initiative Convene project, as well as the HubLinked Knowledge Alliance and the Marie-Curie funded Global Entrepreneurial Talent Management programme.
Dr Lillis is a Chartered Director and has held roles on the governing authorities of various prominent organisations, including the board of the Higher Education Authority, the Senate of the National University of Ireland and the board of the Irish Writers Centre.
Her research interests include national research and innovation systems, higher education policy, university-industry innovations and young talent management.
She has won European awards for her sustained commitment to developing the careers of female academic staff and for increasing the participation of females in technological higher education programmes.
Dr Charles Larkin, Chair of TU Dublin’s Governing Body, announced the appointment following a recent meeting of the Governing Body. He highlighted Dr Lillis’s impressive track record, stating:
“We are delighted to welcome Dr Deirdre Lillis back to TU Dublin as our next President. She will lead the University for the next ten exciting years and will bring her noted drive, ambition and skills to the task.
Her deep understanding of higher education, combined with her vision for research, innovation and enterprise engagement, will ensure TU Dublin continues to thrive as a leader in shaping Ireland’s educational and economic future.”
The appointment follows a rigorous public recruitment process, managed by Forvis Mazars on behalf of TU Dublin. The final interviews were chaired by Dr Catherine Day, former Chair of University College Cork’s Governing Authority, former Secretary General of the European Commission and member of the Royal Irish Academy.
Dr Lillis thanked the Governing Body for the confidence they have placed in her to lead TU Dublin through its next pivotal stage, saying:
“Having spent the majority of my career in the Irish technological university sector, it is the honour and privilege of a lifetime to serve as the next President of TU Dublin. Since its establishment as Ireland’s first Technological University in 2019, TU Dublin has built on strong foundations to offer accessible pathways to high-quality careers and internationally recognised research with regional and global impact. I look forward to empowering and supporting our exceptional staff as they continue to innovate and inspire, as well as championing our talented students as they shape their futures and contribute to society.
I pledge to work tirelessly to return the university to financial sustainability, while ensuring that our students and staff have an enriching and fulfilling experience at TU Dublin.
Ní neart go cur le chéile, and working together, we will solidify TU Dublin’s position as Ireland’s leading university for enterprise talent and innovation across the breadth and diversity of disciplines and sectors we serve.”
Dr Larkin also thanked Professor John Doran for his work as interim President since March 2024, noting his significant contribution to the university. Professor Doran will continue in this role until Dr. Lillis takes up her position in the near future, ushering TU Dublin into an exciting new chapter of growth and innovation.
