Scholar Rejects Honorary Degree from University of Galway Over Controversy

An expert on Irish emigration, Professor Kerby Miller, has declined an honorary doctorate from the University of Galway, marking him as the third individual this week to do so. Miller’s decision stems from the university’s collaboration with the Technion Institute of Technology in Israel, an institution associated with military technology. His comments came during an event on the Galway campus where he stated he could not accept the award due to moral concerns linked to the ongoing research project.

Miller was set to be honored for his contributions to the university’s Imirce digital archive, which collects emigrant letters spanning over three centuries. Brendán MacSuibhne, an established professor of Modern Irish History who collaborated with Miller, noted the significance of Miller’s choice, emphasizing that it reflects the serious implications of the university’s partnerships.

The controversy intensified earlier this week when acclaimed actor Olwen Fouéré and filmmaker Margo Harkin also withdrew from the honorary degree ceremony, which was scheduled to honor nine distinguished recipients from various fields such as arts, culture, and law. Both women cited their opposition to the university’s ties with the Technion, which is known for its involvement with Israel’s arms industry.

Fouéré expressed her initial excitement about receiving the Doctor of Arts degree, highlighting her close affiliation with the university, particularly its internationally recognized Irish Centre for Human Rights. In her statement, she articulated her disappointment, stating, “I was overjoyed to be offered an honorary doctorate… however, I believe that the stronger, and perhaps more visible, action is in refusing to accept an honorary degree at this moment in the university’s history.”

The university’s partnership with the Technion involves the €3.9 million ASTERISK research project focused on hydrogen extraction from seawater and is co-funded by the European Union. Fouéré pointed out that this partnership is problematic, as it collaborates with an institution that develops military technologies, including systems used for crowd control and the destruction of Palestinian homes.

Despite a commitment to reassess its relationships with Israeli institutions, the university has faced criticism for its perceived lack of responsiveness to calls from staff and the community to sever ties with the Technion. The interim president, Peter McHugh, indicated that the ASTERISK project was approved before the initiation of a human rights impact assessment, which has not yet been released due to legal concerns.

A number of other prominent figures, including activist Margaretta D’Arcy and filmmaker Lelia Doolan, have previously returned their honorary degrees in protest against the university’s research affiliations.

As the university navigates this controversy, it remains committed to exploring future pathways regarding its research partnership. The impact of these decisions reflects broader ethical concerns within academic institutions about the implications of international collaborations.

The ongoing situation has garnered significant attention, raising questions about the responsibilities of educational institutions in the context of global conflicts and human rights.