Three Scholars Reject Honorary Degrees at University of Galway

A prominent scholar on Irish emigration, Professor Kerby Miller, has become the third recipient this week to decline an honorary doctorate from the University of Galway. He made his announcement during an event on the university’s campus yesterday, citing the institution’s ongoing research collaboration with the Technion Institute of Technology in Israel, which has connections to the Israeli military.

Miller was set to receive recognition for his contributions to the university’s Imirce digital archive, a project dedicated to preserving over 300 years of emigrant letters. Brendan MacSuibhne, an established Professor of Modern Irish History who collaborated with Miller, emphasized the significance of his decision. He stated that the refusal of such a distinguished scholar to accept an honorary degree reflects serious ethical concerns regarding the university’s affiliations.

The controversy surrounding the honorary degrees intensified when Olwen Fouéré, an acclaimed actor, and Margo Harkin, a notable filmmaker, also withdrew from the award ceremony scheduled for today. Both women expressed their opposition to the university’s research ties with the Technion Institute, which is known for its work with Israel’s arms industry, including Elbit Systems.

Fouéré was slated to receive a Doctor of Arts for her remarkable career in theatre, film, and television. She expressed her initial excitement about the honor, noting the university’s esteemed Irish Centre for Human Rights. However, in light of the university’s collaboration with the Technion, which focuses on technologies for military applications, she ultimately decided against accepting the award.

In her statement, she highlighted the moral implications of the partnership, referencing the Technion’s production of military equipment and its role in operations against Palestinian civilians. She stated, “The research partnership with the Technion Institute of Technology is extremely problematic,” outlining the institute’s involvement in developing technologies used in military operations.

Fouéré criticized the university’s lack of responsiveness to calls from staff, students, and the surrounding community to sever ties with the Technion. She had initially intended to accept the honorary degree as a platform to advocate for the termination of the partnership but concluded that a refusal would send a stronger message at this critical juncture in the university’s history.

Furthermore, she urged the newly appointed president of the University of Galway, along with the university management and governing authority, to comply with both Irish and international law by cutting ties with the Technion and the Israeli government.

The university is currently engaged in a €3.9 million research project called ASTERISK, focused on extracting hydrogen from seawater. This project is co-funded by the European Union and involves multiple partners, including the Technion. Despite recent calls for a review of its research partnerships concerning human rights, interim president Peter McHugh stated that the project was approved before the commencement of the university’s human rights impact assessment.

As reported, this assessment has not yet been published due to legal advice indicating that the university’s current policies on such matters are insufficient. The university remains committed to exploring ways forward in relation to its research partnerships, but many in the academic community find the situation disconcerting.

The decision by Miller, Fouéré, and Harkin joins a growing movement among scholars and activists. Last year, Margaretta D’Arcy and filmmaker Lelia Doolan returned their honorary degrees in protest against the university’s connections with Israel.

This week, other honorary doctorate recipients include artist Brian Bourke, novelist Anna Heussaff, harpist Kathleen Loughnane, and former advocacy manager and deputy general secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge Peadar Mac Fhlannchadha. As the university prepares for its awards ceremony, the decisions made by several honorees continue to underscore the complex intersection of academia, ethics, and international relations.