School of Psychology

Welcome. The School of Psychology is housed in a purpose-built facility in the centre of campus. We are dynamic, innovative and recognised for our teaching, research, and community contribution. We have a suite of professionally accredited undergraduate and postgraduate (Higher Diploma, Masters and PhD) programmes. We also have two active and successful research streams: Brain & Behaviour, and Health & Wellbeing. Researchers from both have participated in acquiring major national and international funding awards and we continue to develop a strong profile in quantity and quality of research output.

 

27 March 2024

Leabharlannaí nua ceaptha ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe

Tá sé fógartha ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe go bhfuil Monica Crump ceaptha mar Leabharlannaí na hOllscoile. Is í Monica Crump an 12ú Leabharlannaí ó bunaíodh an Ollscoil in 1845. Ceapadh Monica agus forbairt shuntasach ar bun ar an Leabharlann agus an tIonad nua Foghlama, i gcroílár an champais. Beidh spás nua ardteicneolaíochta anseo do mhic léinn, don taighde agus don fhoireann, áit a gcuirfear béim ar fhoghlaim lena mbaineann comhoibriú níos fearr, foghlaim atá níos dírithe ar chuidiú teicneolaíochta agus foghlaim atá níos cruthaithí agus déanfar sin ar fad a chumasú. Sa spás nua chomh maith beidh rochtain ar leabhair, ar fhaisnéis agus ar thacaíocht d’aistear foghlama na mac léinn. Seo mar a labhair Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh: "Ba mhaith liom tréaslú le Monica Crump agus gach rath a ghuí uirthi ina ról mar Leabharlannaí na hOllscoile, go háirithe ós rud é go mbeidh ról ríthábhachtach aici i gceann de na tionscadail is tábhachtaí agus is spreagúla ó bunaíodh an Ollscoil – an Leabharlann agus Ionad nua Foghlama. “Tá an leabharlann mar chuid lárnach de shaol na hollscoile agus is áit lárnach í don phobal foghlaimeoirí agus lucht taighde. D’oibrigh mise le Monica roimhe seo, lena n-áirítear mar chomhbhall d’Údarás na hOllscoile, agus is comhghleacaí dearfach, cuiditheach í atá tiomanta d’fheabhas a chur ar an ollscoil seo ar mhaithe le leas an phobail. Táim ag tnúth le bheith ag obair le Monica Crump agus a foireann agus muid ag comhlíonadh gach atá leagtha amach againn maidir le háis nua a chruthú, atá dílis dár luachanna mar atá oscailteacht, barr feabhais, meas, inbhuanaitheacht, agus braistint muintearais, ní atá thar a bheith tábhachtach dúinn go léir. “Is í Monica an duine is déanaí de líon mór Leabharlannaithe iomráiteacha Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Ba mhaith liom freisin aitheantas a thabhairt do thiomantas an Leabharlannaí roimpi atá ar scor anois, John Cox. Is minic a léirítear ár gcuid oibre san Ollscoil san oidhreacht a fhágaimid agus na deiseanna a chruthaímid do dhaoine eile a thagann inár ndiaidh, agus tá an-chreidiúint ag dul do John as an mbunchloch a leag sé síos ar mhaithe leo siúd a thagann anseo le foghlaim, le taighde agus le teagasc a dhéanamh.” Tá níos mó ná 500,000 imleabhar sa Leabharlann chomh maith le leabharlann dhigiteach chuimsitheach, lena n-áirítear rochtain ar níos mó ná milliún ríomhleabhar agus 230,000 irisleabhar leictreonach. Tá bailiúchán fairsing de bheagnach 450 cartlann ag an Leabharlann chomh maith lena n-áirítear iad siúd de chuid Mháire Mhic Róibín, Chonradh na Gaeilge agus John McGahern. I measc an obair is nuaí a rinneadh tá digitiú ar Bhailiúchán litreacha eisimirceach Kerby A Miller agus forbairt Chúinne na Cruthaitheachta sa Leabharlann atá aitheanta go hidirnáisiúnta. Dúirt Leabharlannaí na hOllscoile, Monica Crump: “Is mór an onóir é a bheith roghnaithe mar an chéad Leabharlannaí Ollscoile eile in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, mar a rinne an oiread sin leabharlannaithe iontacha anseo romham. Tá foireann den scoth ag an Leabharlann ag iarraidh a chinntiú go gcuirfimid na hacmhainní faisnéise, na tacaíochtaí, na spásanna agus an t-infreastruchtúr is fearr ar fáil a chuireann ar chumas ár mic léinn, ár dtaighdeoirí agus ár bhfoireann acadúil barr feabhais a bhaint amach ina gcuid staidéir, teagaisc agus taighde.  “Beidh sé mar phribhléid agam foireann na Leabharlainne a threorú uaidh seo amach i bhfianaise fhorbairt na Leabharlainne agus an Ionaid nua Foghlama. Táim ag súil lena chinntiú go mbainfimid leas as na deiseanna a chuireann an foirgneamh nua ar fáil chun ár spásanna, ár seirbhísí agus ár dtacaíochtaí a athrú ó bhonn chun teagasc agus foghlaim an 21ú hAois a léiriú. Táimid ag pointe tábhachtach freisin maidir le hathrú na foilsitheoireachta scolártha, rud a fhágfaidh go mbeidh rochtain oscailte ag cách ar aschuir an taighde. Is é an chloch is mó ar ár bpaidrín, an tacaíocht agus an treoir a sholáthar a chabhróidh le pobal na hOllscoile aistriú chuig an múnla seo de thaighde oscailte. Tagann Monica Crump i gcomharbacht ar John Cox a chuaigh ar scor in 2023 tar éis 15 bliana mar Leabharlannaí Ollscoile. Tá taithí 30 bliain ag Monica Crump ag obair san ardoideachas, mar leabharlannaí agus mar thaighdeoir agus tá spéis ar leith aici i saol na cumarsáide agus na foilsitheoireachta scolártha atá de shíor ag athrú, chomh maith le hailíniú agus forbairt foirne chun spriocanna agus tacaíocht straitéiseach institiúideach a sheachadadh agus tacú le riachtanais úsáideoirí atá ag teacht chun cinn. Ba é Séamas Ó hArgadáin an chéad Leabharlannaí a bhí san Ollscoil, agus is staraí agus ársaitheoir iomráiteach a bhí ann, ó 1845-1855. Ina dhiaidh sin bhí John Richardson (1855-1877); D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson (1877-1902); Valentine Steinberger (1902-1916); John Howley (1917-1935); Michael J. Fahy (1936-1960); Christopher Townley (1960-1982); Alf Mac Lochlainn (1982-1987); Patricia O’Connell (1987-1991); Marie Reddan (1991-2008). Tógadh Leabharlann reatha Ollscoil na Gaillimhe in 1973 agus tá sí i gcroílár Áras Uí Argadáin i lár an Champais Theas. Rinneadh an athfhorbairt mhór is déanaí ar an Leabharlann in 1999. Tá cead pleanála faighte ag an Leabharlann agus tIonad Foghlama ón samhradh seo caite don láithreán cois abhann in aice le Bóthar na Drioglainne, le taobh Ionad Spóirt na hOllscoile. Foirgneamh spreagúil, nua, inbhuanaithe, nua-aimseartha, aitheanta atá beartaithe agus beidh an leabharlann nua lonnaithe ann.  RKD Architects a dhear an foirgneamh. Beidh idir ceithre stór agus sé stór ann le spás staidéir, lena n-áirítear limistéir chiúine, aonair agus chomhoibríocha; cúinne na cruthaitheachta agus ionad scoláireachta digití a chumasaíonn cruthaitheacht dhigiteach; bailiúcháin leabhar agus irisleabhar na Leabharlainne, stórálfar go leor díobh seo in Bookbot nó i gcóras stórála ard-dlúis, uathoibrithe; spásanna le haghaidh taispeántas, imeachtaí agus teagaisc; limistéar fáilte a chuideoidh le rannpháirtíocht phobail; deasc chabhrach; agus spásanna ar mhaithe le folláine na mac léinn lena n-áirítear spásanna céadfacha, caifé agus spásanna scíthe agus faoin aer. Críoch 

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27 March 2024

University of Galway announces appointment of new Librarian

University of Galway has announced the appointment of Monica Crump as University Librarian. Ms Crump becomes the 12th Librarian in the University’s history dating back to 1845. Her appointment is being made as plans get underway for the new, landmark Library and Learning Commons development at the heart of the campus, which will offer a high-tech space for students, for research and for staff, with a focus on enabling learning that is more collaborative, more technology-enhanced and more creative, as well as providing access to books, information and support for students on their learning journey. President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said: “I would like to congratulate Monica Crump and wish her every success in the role as our University Librarian, especially as she will play such a crucial part in one of the most important and exciting projects since the establishment of our University – the new Library and Learning Commons. “Libraries are central to the life of any university, in the heart of our community of learners and researchers. Having worked with her heretofore, including as a fellow member of Údarás na hOllscoile, I know her to be a positive, constructive colleague dedicated to the betterment of our university for the public good. I look forward to working with Monica Crump and her team as we fulfil our ambition of creating a new facility, true to our values of openness, excellence, respect, sustainability, and a sense of belonging that is so important to us all. “Monica is the most recent of a long-line of illustrious University Librarians at University of Galway. I would also like to acknowledge the dedication of most recent Librarian, now retired, John Cox. Our work in the University is often reflected in the legacy that we leave and the opportunities that we create for others who follow in our footsteps and John takes great credit for the foundations which he laid for the benefit of those who come here to learn, to research and to teach.” The Library contains more than 500,000 volumes in addition to a comprehensive digital library, including access to more than 1 million e-books and 230,000 electronic journal titles. It is also home to an extensive collection of almost 450 archives including those of Mary Robinson, Conradh na Gaeilge, and John McGahern. Recent innovations include the digitisation of the Kerby A Miller Collection of emigrant letters and the development of an internationally recognised Library Makerspace. University Librarian Monica Crump said: “It is truly an honour to be selected as the next University Librarian of the University of Galway, following in the footsteps of so many great librarians. The Library has an excellent team committed to ensuring we provide the highest standard information resources, supports, spaces and infrastructure that enable our students, researchers and academic staff achieve excellence in their studies, teaching and research.  “It will be a privilege to lead our Library team into the exciting future ahead with the development of the new Library and Learning Commons. I look forward to ensuring we realise the opportunities the new building provides to transform our spaces, services and supports to reflect 21st Century teaching and learning. We are also at an important pivot point in the transformation of scholarly publishing, which will see the outputs of research openly accessible to all. Our focus will be to provide the infrastructure, support and guidance that will help the University community navigate the transition to this open research future.” Monica Crump succeeds John Cox who retired in 2023 after 15 years as University Librarian. Ms Crump has 30 years’ experience working in higher education, as a librarian and a researcher and has particular interests in the ever-evolving world of scholarly communications and publishing, as well as the alignment and development of teams to deliver institutional strategic goals and support evolving user needs. The list of librarians in the history of the University began with James Hardiman, a noted historian and antiquarian, who held the post from 1845-1855. Others to follow in his footsteps were John Richardson (1855-1877); D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson (1877-1902); Valentine Steinberger (1902-1916); John Howley (1917-1935); Michael J. Fahy (1936-1960); Christopher Townley (1960-1982); Alf MacLochlainn (1982-1987); Patricia O’Connell (1987-1991); Marie Reddan (1991-2008). University of Galway’s current Library was constructed in 1973 and sits at the heart of the Hardiman Building in the centre of the South Campus. The most recent major redevelopment in the Library took place in 1999. Planning permission for the Library and Learning Commons was confirmed in summer 2023 for the riverside site off Distillery Road, next to the University’s Sports Centre. It will be an exciting new, sustainable, modern, iconic building - home to a library of the future.  The building was designed by RKD Architects. It will range in height from four to six storeys with study space, including quiet, individual and collaborative areas; a makerspace and digital scholarship centre enabling digital creativity; the Library’s book and journal collections, many of which will be stored in a Bookbot or high-density, automated storage system; spaces for exhibitions, events and teaching; a welcome zone enabling community engagement; a helpdesk; and spaces for student wellbeing including low-sensory study spaces, a café and relaxation and outdoor spaces. Ends 

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26 March 2024

Farmers need clarity on actions for net zero

Researchers urge clear climate policy in the interests of just transition for farmers Land use scenarios identify need for more forests and wetlands and fewer cows and sheep Lack of consensus on how to account for powerful greenhouse gases from agriculture is impeding policy development for net zero climate targets to ensure a just transition for farmers, the authors of a new scientific study have said. Many countries have signed up to net zero climate targets by 2050 - less than 26 years from now – which means no longer adding to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere in a bid to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. What this means for one of the main contributing emissions, carbon dioxide (CO2), is very clear, the study led by researchers at University of Galway notes. However, the team say their findings raise concerns over significant gaps in how countries should tackle powerful greenhouse gases which are intrinsically linked with farming - nitrous oxide (N2O), often considered a forgotten greenhouse gas, and methane. In the study, published in Nature Communications, Earth & Environment, the researchers analysed 3,000 scenarios of agricultural activities and land uses in Ireland out to the year 2100, using 10 definitions of net zero while also accounting for future emissions reductions via farm management and new technology. In order to meet targets using any of the definitions of net zero, the analysis found: Transformation of Ireland’s agriculture and land sector is required, involving ambitious tree planting and wetland restoration. The increased biodiversity is needed alongside technical abatement measures such as low emission slurry spreading and anaerobic digestion of manures. Land use scenarios that achieved net zero had larger areas of rewetted peat soils, more than double the current area of forestry, and substantially lower meat and/or milk outputs relative to 2021.   Maintaining milk production close to 2021 levels would require a reduction of up to 97% in suckler-beef output. Net zero definitions requiring the least dramatic changes in agriculture and land use include those focussed only on carbon dioxide – meaning no targets for nitrous oxide and methane - or those based on an alternative accounting approach (“GWP*”) that attributes a “cooling” effect to a reduction in methane emissions. Net zero definitions requiring the most dramatic transformations - eg the largest reductions in milk and beef output - were those based on the long-term offset of cumulative emissions between 2050 and 2100 and those based on Irish methane emissions being capped based on a per-capita “fair share” of “allowable” global methane emissions.   Colm Duffy, Research Fellow at University of Galway and co-lead author, said: “Our study shows just how much the national interpretation of net zero could shape Ireland's future landscape, with implications for the environment, the economy and rural communities. Choices that may seem difficult now will only become more difficult with delay - clarity is urgently needed to plan a just transition”. David Styles, Associate Professor at University of Galway and study coordinator, said: “For carbon dioxide, net zero represents a clear, absolute target that is invaluable for strategic decision making. Including nitrous oxide and methane emissions from agriculture in national climate targets is crucial, but lacks consensus and involves contentious value judgements. Some targets may be perceived as unfair to Ireland, given that they either don’t take into account the distinct warming effect of methane through time, or they disregard Ireland’s outsize contribution to global milk and beef production. Other targets may be perceived as unfair by other countries because they allow Ireland to maintain disproportionately high emissions of methane (and nitrous oxide).”    George Bishop, Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Galway and co-lead author, concluded: “Actions like planting forests take time to deliver benefits. Delaying decisions due to fuzzy net zero goals makes the challenge harder, but also risks missing out on economic opportunities that can support a just transition. A clear vision for a net zero agriculture and land sector is desperately needed to inform strategic decision making by farmers and other stakeholders. This vision must be founded upon a robust and internationally-defendable definition of net zero.” The question of net zero and how to define strategic policy to achieve the targets has profound implications and the “what, where, and how” of future sustainable food production, peatland management and tree planting – actions that farmers will be expected to deliver. The issue is acute for Ireland, where more than 40% of greenhouse gas emissions originate from farming and land use, largely in the form of methane and nitrous oxide. The researchers also noted that policy on net zero should not just be about 2050. Some definitions consider the long-term warming impact out to the year 2100, which is vital to ensure that achieving net zero can be sustained beyond mid-century. Ends

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