Three Scholars Reject Honorary Doctorates from University of Galway

Professor Kerby Miller, an expert on Irish emigration, has become the third individual this week to decline an honorary doctorate from the University of Galway. Miller made his announcement during an event on the university campus on March 15, 2024, citing concerns over the institution’s collaboration with the Technion Institute of Technology in Israel, which has ties to the Israeli military.

Miller was set to receive recognition for his significant contributions to the university’s Imirce digital archive, a collection of emigrant letters spanning over three centuries. His decision to refuse the honorary degree highlights the implications of the university’s research partnerships. Brendan MacSuibhne, a Professor of Modern Irish History who collaborated with Miller on the archive, expressed that Miller’s refusal speaks volumes about the ethical dilemmas faced by scholars today.

Earlier in the week, actor Olwen Fouéré and film-maker Margo Harkin also withdrew from the honorary degree ceremony, joining Miller in opposition to the university’s research links with the Technion. Fouéré, who was to receive a Doctor of Arts for her extensive career in theatre, film, and television, stated her initial excitement about the honour. However, she later clarified her decision, citing a moral obligation to stand against the university’s partnership with an institution tied to military operations in Israel.

In her statement, Fouéré remarked on her deep connections to the university, particularly through the Irish Centre for Human Rights, which advocates for justice in Palestine. She described the research collaboration with the Technion as “extremely problematic,” highlighting its involvement in developing military technologies, including drones and bulldozers used against Palestinian civilians.

The €3.9 million ASTERISK research project, aimed at extracting hydrogen from seawater, is co-funded by the European Union and involves the Technion as one of several partners. According to university officials, this partnership is legally binding, stemming from a contract signed in December 2024, during ongoing violence in Gaza. Interim President Peter McHugh noted that legal advice prevents the university from terminating the contract at this time, despite calls for review from staff and the wider community.

In a further context, Fouéré criticized the university for its lack of responsiveness to demands from faculty and students to sever ties with the Technion. She expressed her initial intention to accept the honorary degree while publicly challenging the university’s inaction; however, she ultimately decided that refusing the honour would send a more impactful message.

The university has stated that a human rights impact assessment of its research collaborations is underway, yet McHugh confirmed that the ASTERISK project was approved prior to this assessment. He indicated that the university remains committed to exploring future directions for its research partnerships while adhering to legal constraints.

The ongoing situation has prompted other notable figures, such as activist Margaretta D’Arcy and filmmaker Lelia Doolan, to return their honorary doctorates in protest against similar issues. Other award recipients this week include artist Brian Bourke, novelist Anna Heussaff, harpist Kathleen Loughnane, former advocacy manager Peadar Mac Fhlannchadha, and poet Micheál Ó Cuaig.

As the University of Galway navigates this challenging landscape, the actions of these scholars and artists highlight the growing scrutiny of academic institutions and their ethical responsibilities in global contexts.