Trinity have announced the appointment of Doris Alexander as the Associate Director of European Engagement, a newly created role within College.
Alexander previously worked as the Research Development Manager for Trinity and is a board member of the European Association of Research Managers and Administrators.
In an email statement, Trinity said that the creation of the new role would help to “optimise our funding draw down” from the Horizon Europe programme, a €100 billion EU research and innovation programme that is due to be rolled out soon.
Trinity benefited considerably from the predecessor of the Horizon Europe programme, which was known as Horizon 2020, receiving €94.8 million or approximately 14% of the national funding allocated through that initiative. Trinity also won 25% of the European Research Council grants in Ireland.
Trinity have stated that EU research funding is an “important source of funding for the College, comprising, in a given year, between 18-23% of its €100m research income”.
In her new role it is expected that Alexander also will develop a strategy for Trinity’s engagement in the Erasmus programme. Trinity have stated that she will initially focus on “developing the relationships across select university partners as well as working with the relevant academic and administrative units in preparing joint programmes”.
The statement from Trinity added that the role will also look to improve links with UK universities for a post Brexit era to “establish strong cross university alliance… to enhance the quality and attractiveness of European higher education and boost cooperation between institutions, their students and staff”.
Alexander is also expected to lead in the coordination and preparation of large institutional bids such as the recent successful application to a European University alliance.
Commenting on the appointment, Provost Patrick Prendergast, said: “In this new role, Ms Alexander will build on her strong network in Brussels and across the European university ecosystem, optimising Trinity’s engagement in European higher education.”
The provost added that the new role “will also ensure that Trinity is prepared to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the €100 billion Horizon Europe research programme which will run from 2021 to 2027. I am delighted to add this important new dimension to both Global Relations and Trinity’s Research and Innovation at Trinity.”
