Third Scholar Declines Honorary Doctorate from University of Galway

A prominent expert on Irish emigration has declined an honorary doctorate from the University of Galway, becoming the third individual to do so in a week. Professor Kerby Miller announced his decision during an event at the university’s campus on October 5, 2023, citing concerns over the university’s collaboration with the Technion Institute of Technology in Israel, an institution associated with military technology.

Professor Miller was set to receive the honor for his contributions to the university’s Imirce digital archive, which preserves emigrant letters spanning over 300 years. His colleague, Brendán MacSuibhne, an established Professor of Modern Irish History, expressed the weight of Miller’s decision, stating that it reflects a significant moral stance from a scholar of his caliber. “It speaks volumes that a scholar of such high repute cannot in conscience accept an honorary degree from it,” said MacSuibhne.

High-Profile Withdrawals from Award Ceremony

Miller’s withdrawal follows similar actions by acclaimed actor Olwen Fouéré and filmmaker Margo Harkin, both of whom also opted out of the award ceremony scheduled for today. They expressed their discontent regarding the university’s ongoing research ties with the Technion Institute. Fouéré was slated to receive a Doctor of Arts for her extensive work across theatre, film, and television.

In her statement, Fouéré described the honor as a source of joy and pride but emphasized her commitment to human rights. “The University of Galway is close to my heart for a number of reasons, not least because the university houses the globally recognised Irish Centre for Human Rights,” she stated. The centre has been active in promoting justice in Palestine and condemning acts viewed as genocidal.

The University of Galway has stated that it is contractually obligated to continue its partnership with the Technion, which is involved in the €3.9 million ASTERISK research project focused on extracting hydrogen from seawater. This initiative is co-funded by the EU and includes various partners, with the Technion being a key collaborator.

Concerns Over Research Partnerships

Fouéré highlighted serious concerns regarding the Technion’s role in developing military technologies, including the D9 bulldozer used to demolish Palestinian homes. “The research partnership with Technion is extremely problematic,” she stated, adding that Technion offers academic credits for military service. She criticized the university’s lack of action in addressing demands from its community to sever ties with the Israeli institution.

Initially, Fouéré had planned to accept the honorary degree and publicly challenge the university’s delay in terminating the Technion contract. However, she later concluded that refusing the award would serve as a stronger statement. “The stronger, and perhaps more visible, action is in refusing to accept an honorary degree at this moment in the university’s history,” she explained.

She urged the newly appointed president of the University of Galway, Peter McHugh, along with the university management team and governing authority chair, to cut all connections with the Technion, emphasizing compliance with Irish and international law.

Last year, the university announced a review of its connections with Israel and Palestine, which included a human rights impact assessment of its research collaborations. In September 2023, McHugh informed staff that the ASTERISK project had been approved prior to the assessment’s initiation, citing legal advice as a reason for the ongoing partnership. The university recently stated that the results of the human rights impact assessment remain unpublished due to recent legal guidance.

Other prominent figures have also protested against the university’s research links with Israel. Recently deceased Margaretta D’Arcy and filmmaker Lelia Doolan returned their honorary doctorates in response to similar concerns. Other recipients for this week’s honorary degrees include artist Brian Bourke, novelist Anna Heussaff, harpist Kathleen Loughnane, and poet Micheál Ó Cuaig.

The developments at the University of Galway reflect broader debates about academic partnerships and ethical responsibilities in the context of international human rights issues. As public scrutiny grows, the university faces increased pressure to reconsider its affiliations and their implications.