Professor Sarah Gleeson appointed to National Science Advice Forum
25 February 2026
(opens in a new window)Professor Sarah Gleeson, Professor in Sustainability Geoscience in the UCD School of Earth Sciences, has been appointed to the National Science Advice Forum, a new group of experts that will provide scientific advice to support government decision-making.
The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has appointed a total of 12 members to the Forum.
The development is in line with the objectives of Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy, which set out the intention to create new science advice structures across government.
“I am very honoured to be appointed as one of 12 experts to Ireland’s first National Science Advice Forum and to contribute scientific advice on key national priorities, including climate change resilience and adaptation,” said Professor Gleeson.
“The Forum represents an important step in strengthening how interdisciplinary research informs government decision-making, and I look forward to working with the Chief Science Advisor and fellow members to help connect scientific knowledge with policy and societal impact.”
In 2025, Professor Gleeson was appointed Director of (opens in a new window)iCRAG, a multi-institutional research centre at UCD. The centre involves more than 150 researchers working on challenges including decarbonisation, groundwater and marine protection, and natural hazard resilience.
Professor Gordon Harold, a visiting full professor in the UCD School of Medicine, has also been appointed to the National Science Advice Forum.
Interest in the Forum was invited from those with internationally recognised scientific expertise across disciplines including natural sciences, engineering, medicine, social sciences and humanities.
Expressions of interest were invited from both academics and practitioners. Membership of the Forum will be for a period of three years.
“The level of interest, and the calibre of those interested, was exceptionally high,” said Minister Lawless.
“I look forward to the contribution of the Forum in the period ahead.”
By: Rebecca Hastings, Digital Journalist, UCD University Relations
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
