Professor Rejects Honorary Degree from University of Galway Over Israeli Links

In a significant development, Professor Kerby Miller has become the third individual this week to decline an honorary doctorate from the University of Galway. This decision comes amid ongoing concerns regarding the university’s collaboration with the Technion Institute of Technology in Israel, an institution linked to military technology.

Speaking at an event on the Galway campus, Professor Miller, a noted expert on Irish emigration, announced he could not accept the award due to the university’s research ties with the Israeli institution. He was set to be honored for his contributions to the university’s Imirce digital archive, which documents over 300 years of emigrant letters.

Growing Opposition to University’s Research Partnerships

Professor Brendán MacSuibhne, an established Professor of Modern Irish History who collaborated with Miller on the archive project, emphasized the weight of Miller’s decision. He remarked that it reflects poorly on the university that a distinguished scholar feels compelled to refuse an honorary degree due to ethical concerns.

Earlier this week, acclaimed actor Olwen Fouéré and film-maker Margo Harkin also withdrew from receiving honorary degrees during a ceremony intended to honor nine prominent figures in the arts, culture, and public life. Both women cited their opposition to the university’s partnership with the Technion.

Fouéré was slated to receive a Doctor of Arts for her extensive contributions to theatre, film, and television. In her statement, she expressed her pride in being offered the honorary doctorate but underscored her commitment to human rights, noting the university’s connection to the Irish Centre for Human Rights, which has advocated for justice in Palestine.

Controversial Research Partnership

The University of Galway maintains that it is contractually obligated to continue its research collaboration with the Technion, specifically regarding the €3.9 million ASTERISK project focused on extracting hydrogen from seawater. This initiative is co-funded by the EU and involves various partners, including the Technion, which has been criticized for its associations with Israel’s arms industry.

Fouéré highlighted that the contract with Technion was signed in December 2024, during a time of intense conflict in Gaza. She described the partnership as problematic, linking it to the development of technologies used for military purposes, including the infamous D9 bulldozer, which demolishes Palestinian homes. She also pointed out that Technion students can earn academic credits for military service.

In light of the growing dissent, Fouéré indicated that her initial plan was to accept the degree and publicly challenge the university’s delays in severing ties with Technion. However, after careful consideration, she decided that refusing the honor would make a more impactful statement during this pivotal moment in the university’s history. She called upon the newly appointed president, Peter McHugh, and the university’s governing authority to terminate all connections with the Technion.

Last year, the university announced a review of its Israeli ties, including a human rights impact assessment of its research collaborations. Yet, McHugh informed staff that the ASTERISK project had been approved prior to the assessment’s initiation, and legal advice mandated that the partnership continue based solely on existing contractual commitments.

The university stated that the findings of its human rights impact assessment have not yet been published due to recent legal recommendations suggesting that the interim assessment should not be relied upon in the absence of formalized university policies.

This week, the university reiterated its commitment to exploring potential pathways regarding the research partnership. The controversy surrounding its ties with the Technion has prompted other notable figures, such as activist Margaretta D’Arcy, who passed away recently, and film-maker Lelia Doolan, to return their honorary doctorates in protest.

Other recipients of honorary degrees this week included artist Brian Bourke, novelist Anna Heussaff, harpist Kathleen Loughnane, former advocacy manager Peadar Mac Fhlannchadha, and poet Micheál Ó Cuaig.

The ongoing situation at the University of Galway highlights a growing tension between academic partnerships and ethical considerations in the context of international conflicts, raising questions about the responsibilities of educational institutions.