In the News..

Honey bee researchers have launched a call for citizen scientists to report sightings of wild honey bee nests, beehives and foraging. Are honey bees foraging in your garden? Do you have beehives in or around Galway city? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, or you know of where there are beehives near you, then the team would love to hear from you! There are over 100 different bee species in Ireland with one of those being the honey bee. They are relatively smaller than other bee species and not as ‘fluffy’ as a bumblebee. People are familiar with honey bees being kept in hives by beekeepers but honey bees are a wild species too.  More importantly, native wild honey bees are now considered as endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature, but wild colonies are a frequent sight in Ireland where they live in cavities, in trees, roofs or walls. Professor Grace McCormack, Galway Honey Bee Research Centre at University of Galway, said: “In Co Galway, to date, we have recorded more than 190 wild colonies, although we know there are likely to be many more. “However, there is a large gap in our knowledge – we do not know how the native wild honey bee and other wild pollinators are affected by managed bees, which live in beehives. We don’t know because we don’t know how many beekeepers there are or where their hives are.” University of Galway has 12 hives in Galway city and is keen to ensure that its beekeeping is sustainable, not adversely impacting wild honey bees, other beekeepers, or other bee species. To better understand how many hives would be a sustainable number, the research team are exploring what other hives might be in the area and where its bees, and other bees, are getting their food. The research team would love to hear from anyone who has any information on: Honey bee apiaries, hives or nest sightings in the area Honey bees feeding on pollinator friendly plants in your gardens or area Professor McCormack added: “The native Irish honey bee, also known as the black bee, is uniquely adapted to Ireland’s climate. However, it is currently under threat from non-native imports, climate change, invasive species and a lack of resources such as food and nesting space. “This research is important as it will provide a clearer understanding of honey bee and pollinator activity in Galway, to help us develop conservation measures and sustainable management strategies for apiaries that can be applied within Galway and nationally.” All information provided will be kept confidential. To submit sightings and queries, please contact Pamela Madigan at P.Madigan1@universityofgalway.ie  or 087 4474811 or Professor Grace McCormack at grace.mccormack@universityofgalway.ie or 086 0227227. Ends

New Sustainability Strategy targets carbon-neutral, nature-positive and healthy campus University of Galway has cemented its position as a global leader on sustainability impact, retaining its place as No.1 in Ireland, third in the European Union and top 100 in the world for the fifth year in a row.  The Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 rank University of Galway ahead of all the universities in Ireland for performance on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.  More than 1,600 institutions from 116 countries are ranked in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026.  It placed the University at 68th in the world and 3rd in the EU.  University of Galway has been Ireland's leading university for sustainability for five years. To mark the achievement and as Ireland prepares to take over the Presidency of the European Union next week, the University launched its new Sustainability Strategy 2026-2030, setting out the next phase of its sustainability ambitions, at a special meeting of the ENLIGHT European University Alliance in Galway.  Professor Becky Whay, University of Galway Deputy President and Registrar, said: “At University of Galway, sustainability is central to our purpose and identity. It shapes how we teach, learn, research, operate and engage. We aim to lead the transition to a sustainable future and foster the next generation of leaders and innovators to tackle global challenges. The University of Galway Sustainability Strategy 2026-2030 builds on a decade of institutional commitment and leadership, setting a renewed direction for a carbon-neutral, nature-positive and healthy university with a focus on education for sustainable development. It reflects our belief that universities have both the capacity and the responsibility to lead transformative change for people and planet.”  Dr Richard Manton, Director of Sustainability at University of Galway, said: “As we launch our third sustainability strategy, we are very proud to once again be ranked as Ireland’s top university for performance on the Sustainable Development Goals. As recognised in SDG 17, partnership for the goals, we will only achieve our sustainability objectives by working closely with our partners on campus, in our city and across our region. I would like to thank our 100-person Community University Sustainability Partnership for developing the new strategy and for driving our sustainability efforts for the past 11 years.”  The Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 recognise University of Galway for particularly strongly performance on Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG12), where it is ranked 8th in the world. Other strengths are 23rd for Partnerships for the Goals (SDG17), 48th for Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG3) and 58th for Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG6).  The new Sustainability Strategy at University of Galway sets out an ambitious vision for a carbon-neutral, nature-positive and healthy campus, underpinned by a Learn-Live-Lead model, connecting education, research and operations to real-world impact.  There are 10 areas of focus in the strategy: research and innovation, teaching, learning and assessment, energy and buildings, nature and ecosystems, procurement, travel, circular economy, health and wellbeing, engagement and leadership, and governance and reporting. Key targets and actions include: Embedding sustainability competencies in all educational programmes at the University Achieving Green Lab certification for all labs on campus Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030 and moving ambitiously towards carbon neutrality Securing Gold in the NTA Smarter Travel Mark Implementing a new biodiversity action plan for a nature positive campus Building on the successful elimination of single-use cups, removing remaining single-use plastic catering items Achieving Platinum rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS)  The Sustainability Strategy 2026-2030 is available at www.universityofgalway.ie/sustainability/strategy  Ends  

University of Galway has officially launched its new Institute for Creativity, a major strategic initiative that aims to harness culture and creativity on Ireland’s western seaboard. The new Institute will forge next-generation collaborations between art and science, and research, policy, and industry - working across all disciplines in the University from life science to business and law, from engineering to the natural sciences. As AI reshapes the way we interact with all sectors of society, the Institute for Creativity celebrates the University’s legacy as an important partner in the creative ecosystem regionally and nationally and puts artistic intelligence to the fore in developing alternative solutions to the world’s most complex problems. The new Institute will support and enhance research already underway in the University while driving new projects at the intersection of creativity and technology that are rooted in arts-based practice. Key areas of focus for the Institute for Creativity Lead research in the role of art and culture in fostering and driving sustainable development in rural and remote areas, alongside working with Galway’s globally renowned creative sector. Rethink and revalue the important relationship between art and culture, and health and wellbeing. Conduct experimental research to promote cultural and linguistic diversity as a competitive advantage for Ireland and Europe.  The Institute for Creativity will also be home to University of Galway’s popular 'Arts in Action' programme, which welcomes students and staff, and visitors from outside the university to engage with a broad and varied programme of artistic events. The formal launch took place as part of the 2026 International Forum on Artistic Research, the largest-ever conference on practice-based artistic research, bringing together more than 300 international practitioners, scholars, researchers and policymakers at University of Galway from June 23-26. The Forum is part of The Society for Artistic Research (SAR), a network that promotes and disseminates artistic research practices and findings across disciplines and contexts.  President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn said: “I am delighted to officially launch our new Institute for Creativity as part of this important conference on practice-based artistic research. Galway’s vibrant creative sector is globally connected - empowered by contemporary creative practice and innovative technologies. Our university is at the heart of this activity, exploring the links between creativity, teaching, research, and the wider world, while being rooted in the local community to create spaces where ideas can thrive. “Creativity, Culture and Society, Transformative Data and AI, and Innovation for Health are three key pillars in our strategic plan, Of Galway, For the World. These pillars reflect and support the vision of the Institute for Creativity. We will work together to ensure the extraordinary talent, creativity and opportunity we have here will continue to enable close collaboration on research and student engagement in the creative arts.” Professor Florian Schneider, Director of the Institute for Creativity said: “The future of innovation lies at the intersection of creativity and technology. But Creativity is not just for the creative arts: the Institute will research creativity as a general condition that reshapes the manifold relationships across all faculties of knowledge. “Unlocking this creative potential is particularly urgent for Galway and for the West of Ireland as a creative hub, and equally significant at national and European levels.” Professor Rebecca Braun, Executive Dean, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, said: “The College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies is delighted to be home to the new Institute for Creativity, supported by its thriving research community. An arts degree provides a solid foundation for creativity in many areas of life well beyond the creative arts yet arts and culture, heritage and creativity can play a key role in facilitating and driving new collaborations by bringing people together that would not otherwise meet. “In a world rocked by social and political unrest, and a digital revolution, we need cross-disciplinary, collaborative research that cuts across sectors, generations and disciplines. The Institute for Creativity will be a beacon for collaborative research and innovation, and societal impact at local, national and international levels for the University of Galway.” Ends