Third Scholar Rejects Honorary Doctorate from University of Galway

An expert on Irish emigration has become the third individual this week to decline an honorary doctorate from the University of Galway, citing the institution’s research partnership with an Israeli university linked to military applications. Professor Kerby Miller announced his decision during an event on the university’s campus, stating that he could not accept the award in light of the university’s collaboration with the Technion Institute of Technology.

Miller was set to receive recognition for his significant contribution to the creation of the university’s Imirce digital archive, which preserves emigrant letters dating back over 300 years. His colleague, Brendan MacSuibhne, who holds the position of Established Professor of Modern Irish History, expressed concern over Miller’s decision. MacSuibhne remarked that it reflects poorly on the university that such a distinguished scholar “cannot in conscience accept an honorary degree from it.” The university, he noted, should take heed of this important decision.

Earlier in the week, actor Olwen Fouéré and filmmaker Margo Harkin also withdrew from the award ceremony scheduled to honor nine recipients across various fields, including arts, culture, and public life. Both women cited their opposition to the university’s ties with the Technion, which is known for its connections to Israel’s defense sector. Fouéré, an acclaimed actor, was slated to receive a Doctor of Arts for her extensive work in theatre, film, and television.

In her statement, Fouéré expressed her initial excitement about being offered the honorary doctorate, emphasizing her deep connection to the university, which hosts the internationally recognized Irish Centre for Human Rights. This center has actively promoted justice in Palestine and condemned human rights abuses. She highlighted the problematic nature of the university’s partnership with the Technion, which works closely with Israel’s arms industry, including Elbit Systems, a major weapons manufacturer.

The ongoing €3.9 million ASTERISK research project focuses on extracting hydrogen from seawater and is co-funded by the European Union. Fouéré pointed out that the contract with the Technion was signed in December 2024, during a period marked by significant violence in Gaza. She described the Technion as a facilitator in developing military technologies, including drones and the D9 bulldozer, which has been used to demolish Palestinian homes.

Fouéré further noted that Technion students can earn academic credits for military service, emphasizing the ethical implications of the university’s partnership. She criticized the university for its lack of responsiveness to demands from staff, students, and the broader community to sever ties with the Technion, describing the university’s responses as evasive.

While she had considered accepting the honorary degree to publicly challenge the university’s ties to the Technion, Fouéré concluded that declining the award would make a stronger statement during this critical time in the university’s history. She called on the newly appointed president of the University of Galway, Peter McHugh, and the university’s governing body to end their partnership with the Technion, urging compliance with Irish and international law.

Last year, the University of Galway announced a review of its research collaborations with Israel and Palestine, which includes a human rights impact assessment. However, McHugh mentioned that the ASTERISK project had been approved prior to the initiation of this assessment. He stated that legal obligations have necessitated the continuation of the partnership despite the ongoing review.

The university has indicated that the human rights impact assessment has not yet been published due to legal advice suggesting that it cannot be relied upon in the absence of formalized policies. The institution remains committed to exploring future directions regarding its partnership with the Technion.

The recent withdrawals from the honorary doctorate ceremony follow similar actions by Margaretta D’Arcy, a member of Aosdána and activist who passed away earlier this week, and filmmaker Lelia Doolan, both of whom returned their honorary degrees in protest against the university’s research links. Other notable honorary doctorate recipients this week included artist Brian Bourke, novelist and translator Anna Heussaff, harpist Kathleen Loughnane, former advocacy manager and deputy general secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge, Peadar Mac Fhlannchadha, business leader Pádraig Ó Céidigh, and poet and singer Micheál Ó Cuaig.