Third Scholar Declines Honorary Doctorate Over University’s Ties

Professor Kerby Miller has become the third individual this week to decline an honorary doctorate from the University of Galway, citing concerns over the institution’s research partnership with the Technion Institute of Technology in Israel. Professor Miller made his announcement during an event on the university’s campus, stating he could not accept the award due to the Technion’s links with Israel’s military.

Professor Miller was scheduled to receive the honorary doctorate for his significant contributions to the university’s Imirce digital archive, which features emigrant letters spanning over 300 years. Brendán MacSuibhne, an established Professor of Modern Irish History who collaborated with Miller on the archive, emphasized the implications of his decision, saying it reflects the moral stance of scholars who cannot support the university’s current affiliations.

Earlier in the week, acclaimed actor Olwen Fouéré and filmmaker Margo Harkin also withdrew from the award ceremony. Fouéré was to receive a Doctor of Arts for her extensive career in theatre, film, and television. In a statement, she expressed her initial joy at the honor but ultimately decided that refusing the award was a more powerful statement against the university’s collaboration with the Technion, which is known for its development of military technology.

Fouéré highlighted the university’s partnership with the Technion, which includes the €3.9 million ASTERISK project focused on extracting hydrogen from seawater. This project is co-funded by the EU and involves multiple partners, including the Technion, which has connections to the Israeli arms industry, specifically the weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems. Fouéré noted that the contract with Technion was signed in December 2024, during ongoing violence in Gaza.

In her statement, Fouéré pointed out the ethical issues surrounding Technion, which has developed technology used in military operations, including the D9 bulldozer known for demolishing Palestinian homes. She also noted that students at Technion can earn credits for military service. Fouéré remarked, “It is well known that several demands from University of Galway staff, researchers, students, and the wider community to cut the university’s ties with the Technion contract have been met with avoidance and delay.”

The university has stated that it is contractually obligated to continue its partnership with the Technion under legal advice. In September, interim president Peter McHugh informed staff that the ASTERISK project had been approved before a human rights impact assessment began. He indicated the university was bound to uphold its contractual commitments.

Despite the controversy, the university remains committed to exploring ways to navigate its research partnerships. The human rights impact assessment of its collaborations has not yet been published due to recent legal guidance, which advised against relying on the interim findings without a formal policy in place.

The ongoing situation has seen other notable figures, including activist Margaretta D’Arcy and filmmaker Lelia Doolan, return their honorary doctorates in protest. This week’s awards were intended for individuals recognized for their contributions to arts, culture, music, law, and public life, with other recipients including artist Brian Bourke, novelist Anna Heussaff, harpist Kathleen Loughnane, and poet Micheál Ó Cuaig.

The decisions made by these esteemed individuals highlight a growing sentiment regarding academic institutions’ responsibilities in relation to ethical partnerships, particularly in the context of international human rights.