Former Irish President McAleese to take Glasgow University chair

Former President of the Irish Republic, Mary McAleese is to join the University of Glasgow as a Professor of Children, Law and Religion.

Professor McAleese’s post, from the 2018-19 academic year, is a joint appointment between the College of Arts and College of Social Sciences at the university. 

Professor McAleese, who served as President from 1997 to 2011, trained as a barrister and journalist, and was formerly Reid Professor of Criminal Law, Criminology and Penology at Trinity College Dublin and Pro-Vice Chancellor at Queen's University of Belfast. She also completed a doctorate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Since 2013, she has taught courses in various higher educational institutions on children rights, gender and LGBT rights in international law as well as the Holy See and International Children’s Rights, The Great War and Ireland, Conflict Resolution and the Irish Peace Process.

She was the first President of Ireland to have come from Northern Ireland. Born in Belfast, she grew up in Ardoyne, a sectarian flashpoint, and experienced first-hand the violence of The Troubles. She played a major role in the Northern Ireland peace process, and her work for peace and reconciliation culminated in the historic state visit to the Republic of Ireland by the Queen in May 2011. Prior to her presidency she was a co-founder of Belfast Women's Aid, the Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform, the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas and co-chair of the Working Party on Sectarianism set up by the Irish Council of Churches and the Catholic Church.

Professor McAleese commented: “Joining the University of Glasgow opens up exciting prospects for collaboration in teaching and research on the subjects of children, law and religion.

“The university has a culture of innovation and cross disciplinary engagement which augurs well for fresh and fascinating scholarly initiatives in these fields. I am looking forward to being part of these developments.”

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the university, added: “I am absolutely delighted that Professor Mary McAleese is joining the University of Glasgow. As well as being well known on the international stage, she is an accomplished academic with vast experience in her field. I have no doubt her insights and wisdom will be of great benefit to our students and staff.”