Three Scholars Reject Honorary Doctorates from University of Galway

Three prominent figures have declined honorary doctorates from the University of Galway due to the institution’s research partnership with Israel’s Technion Institute of Technology, which is associated with Israel’s military technology sector. Professor Kerby Miller, an expert in Irish emigration, made his announcement during an event on the university campus. He stated that his decision was influenced by the university’s ongoing collaboration with the Technion, which is linked to military operations.

Professor Miller was slated to be honored for his contributions in establishing the university’s Imirce digital archive, a collection of emigrant letters spanning over 300 years. His colleague, Professor Brendán MacSuibhne, expressed concern over Miller’s decision, emphasizing the significance of a scholar of his stature rejecting the award. MacSuibhne remarked, “It speaks volumes that a scholar of such high repute, who had brought such great honour and attention to our university, cannot in conscience accept an honorary degree from it.”

Earlier in the week, acclaimed actor Olwen Fouéré and filmmaker Margo Harkin also withdrew from the ceremony, which was set to honor nine individuals for their achievements in various fields. They voiced their opposition to the university’s ties with the Technion. Fouéré was to receive a Doctor of Arts for her extensive work in theatre, film, and television. In her statement, she expressed her pride at being offered the honorary degree but ultimately decided that declining it was a more impactful statement against the university’s partnership.

The University of Galway is currently engaged in a €3.9 million research initiative known as the ASTERISK project. This project, which aims to extract hydrogen from seawater, is co-funded by the EU and includes the Technion as one of several partners. Fouéré highlighted the troubling nature of the partnership, noting that the Technion has developed military technologies and works closely with Israel’s arms industry, including Elbit Systems, a leading weapons manufacturer.

Fouéré stated, “The research partnership with the Technion Institute of Technology is extremely problematic.” She emphasized that the Technion is responsible for technologies that contribute to military operations against Palestinians, citing the development of the D9 bulldozer, which has been used to demolish Palestinian homes, and the Scream, an acoustic system designed to create unbearable sound levels.

The university has maintained that it is contractually obligated to continue its partnership with the Technion, despite calls for reevaluation from staff, researchers, and students. In September, interim president Peter McHugh informed faculty that the ASTERISK project was approved prior to the initiation of a human rights impact assessment of the university’s research relationships. He emphasized that legal guidance necessitated the continuation of the project.

While the university has stated its commitment to exploring possible future directions regarding its partnership with the Technion, the impact of recent refusals from esteemed scholars and artists is significant. Last year, the university announced a review of its connections to Israel and Palestine, which included a human rights impact assessment.

Margaretta D’Arcy, a member of Aosdána and activist who passed away earlier this week, and filmmaker Lelia Doolan previously returned their honorary doctorates in protest over the university’s research links. This week’s developments have raised questions about the university’s commitment to human rights and ethical academic collaborations.

As the university grapples with these challenges, the actions of Miller, Fouéré, and Harkin serve as a powerful reminder of the ethical considerations that increasingly influence academic honors and partnerships. The University of Galway now faces growing scrutiny over its research affiliations and their broader implications on international human rights.