Catch up with Faculty staff in the media this week. Through their writing, speaking, research and expert comment on the issues of the day, they improve our knowledge and understanding of the world.
Listings are in staff alphabetical order. Any School groupings appear at the end of the listings. Please click on the relevant link(s) in each section to access the media item.
Professor Ronan Lyons, School of Social Sciences and Philosophy, provides expert comment in an article on rent increases saying, ‘the substantial increases in rents are being driven by extreme scarcity of rental housing, relative to underlying need’ and noting that noted that recent government changes to rent controls may encourage new investment in supply, but warned it could take years before the effects are felt. Irish Independent 27 August 2025: Average rent in Louth hits €1,907 as shortage drives prices up.
Professor Joseph Roche, School of Education, is featured in an article that mentions a research paper in which he was co-author, about the power of harnessing celebrity influence for science communication and seismology. The seismic activity generated by Taylor Swift's sold-out concerts in Dublin in July 2024 provided a unique opportunity for scientific engagement and education. Phys Org 02 September 2025: Scientists harness Taylor Swift concert to measure seismic activity and boost science engagement.
Dr Davide Romelli, School of Social Sciences and Philosophy. Dr Romelli’s research on central bank independence features in this article following the U.S. President’s recent bid to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Reuters 29 August 2025: Trump tangles with a semi-free Fed.
Dr Suryapratim Roy, School of Law, in a comment piece co-authored with Dr Rahul Sambaraju, University of Edinburgh, write that downplaying the lived experience of minorities is not a new thing in Ireland - and it is allowing racism to gain traction. Irish Examiner 02 September 2025: Ireland’s history of humiliating the powerless has a new chapter.
Bhavya Shrivastava, PhD student in the School of Social Sciences and Philosophy, has written an article on the new pension auto-enrolment scheme in Ireland due to start in January 2026. Analysis: As Ireland prepares for pension auto-enrolment - who will it help most and who might it leave behind? RTÉ Brainstorm 02 September 2025: All you need to know about pension auto-enrolment in Ireland.
Dr John Walsh, School of Education, and other panellists, are guests on the History podcast hosted by Professor Patrick Geoghegan, School of Histories and Humanities, to discuss the Irish presidential elections of 1990 and 1997. Newstalk Radio 106-108FM History Podcast 31 August 2025: Iconic Irish Presidential Elections: 1990 and 1997.