Prof Eugene O'Kennedy, Vice President of Research, DCU, Dr Richard O'Kennedy, School of Biotechnology, Award recipient in Science and Engineering, Dr Colum Kenny, School of Communications, Award recipient in Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof Ferdinand von Prondzynski, President, DCU and Dr Barry Mc Sweeney, Ireland's Chief Science

Two leading researchers at Dublin City University were today awarded the university's highest research distinction, the President's research award. The researchers, Dr Colum Kenny of the School of Communications and Dr Richard O'Kennedy of the School of Biotechnology were presented with their awards by Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski at a ceremony today. The event was attended by Dr Barry McSweeney, Ireland's Government Chief Science Advisor.

The presentation of the research awards is an annual event which acknowledges the serious commitment to the research aspect of academic life in the fields of Social Sciences and Humanities as well as Science and Engineering. The criteria for the awards are national and international prominence, the relevance of the research and the degree of excellence the research has achieved in their specialised area.

Dr Colum Kenny for his wide-ranging achievements in legal history, local history and media policy

Dr Colum Kenny, School of Communications, Award recipient in Humanities and Social Sciences and Prof Ferdinand von Prondzynski, President, DCU

Dr Colum Kenny received the award in Humanities and Social Sciences for his research that has covered a wide range of fields in the humanities generally.

Colum's most recently completed research work is on the issue of conflict and reconciliation; Colum has been a member of the council of the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation for a number of years. He has explored the relationship between Ireland and Scotland and the creation of a cultural “imaginary”. He has also raised contemporary questions about western and eastern thought in the light of current developments at the Interfaith Centre on Holy Island Scotland. He is currently development innovative course content and structures in belief and communication.

His research was endorsed by Sir John Baker QC, Downing Professor of the Laws of England at the University of Cambridge who said that his book ‘King's Inns and the Kingdom of Ireland’ has given us an authoritative and exhaustive account of the society which welded the Irish legal profession together. Professor Alfonso Sanchez-Tabernero, Dean of the University of Navarra in Spain praised Colum's contribution to two major European-wide surveys which were carried out over the last decade.

According to President Ferdinand von Prondzynski, “This year's recipients have played a particularly prominent role not just within the university community, but in the broader social realm. Colum Kenny's weekly contributions to the Sunday Independent, in connection with which he is identified as a member of the university's academic staff, cover a wide range of topics. They are a re-affirmation to students of the connection between theory and practice”.

click here to view Colum's speech