Explore UCD

UCD Home >

UCD appoints new College Principal for College of Social Sciences and Law

Posted 1 February, 2024

(opens in a new window)Professor Niamh Moore-Cherry has been named as the new College Principal for the UCD College of Social Sciences and Law.

In this post, she will report directly to UCD President (opens in a new window)Professor Orla Feely and will serve as a member of the University Management Team.

Professor Moore-Cherry has been Interim College Principal since December 2023, when (opens in a new window)Professor Colin Scott departed the role after nine years to take up his post as UCD Registrar, Deputy President and Vice-President for Academic Affairs.

As a critical academic, strategic and management link between the overall strategy, management and direction of the University, the College Principal ensures that all associated Schools deliver effectively on the University’s strategic plan.

“Niamh is an outstanding academic leader with a strong focus on our students and an ambitious vision for the UCD College of Social Sciences and Law.  I greatly look forward to working with her in her new role,” said UCD President Professor Orla Feely.

"As an alumnus of two Schools in the College, it is a privilege to be appointed College Principal for the College of Social Sciences and Law and to be given the responsibility of leading and managing the College at this exciting time as we enter our next strategic planning phase,” added Professor Niamh Moore-Cherry.

“I am looking forward to working collaboratively with our College office and management teams, our Schools, students, alumni and other partners to ensure that the UCD College of Social Sciences and Law continues to thrive and sustain excellence in education, research, and external engagement activities."

Niamh Moore-Cherry is Professor in the UCD School of Geography and Honorary Professor at the Bartlett School of Planning, University College London.

Her research is focused on understanding governance and the impact of territorial politics on urban and regional decision-making and place-based outcomes.

She founded and leads the (opens in a new window)Cities, Governance and Sustainability research group in UCD which brings together academic, policy and community engaged work.

In 2022, she was appointed as an independent member of the advisory National Economic and Social Council (NESC) by An Taoiseach.

Professor Moore-Cherry is Chair of the (opens in a new window)35th International Geographical Congress scheduled to take place in Dublin in August 2024, leading colleagues from all geography departments around the country in collaboration with industry sponsors and the policy sector to welcome more than 2,500 delegates from around the world.

Professor Niamh Moore-Cherry will take up her new role on 1st February 2024.

By: Dominic Martella, Head of External Communication, Media Relations and Content, UCD University Relations

To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie