Ministers announce the nomination of Professor Peter Clinch as Chairperson Designate of the Board of Science Foundation Ireland by SFI  

26th April 2019

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys T.D., and Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan T.D., today announced the nomination of Professor Peter Clinch as Chairperson Designate of the Board of Science Foundation Ireland following on open Public Appointments Service process. In accordance with the terms of the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards, Chairpersons may be nominated as Chairperson Designate in advance of a possible discussion with the Oireachtas Committee for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

Minister Humphreys stated: “I am delighted to nominate Professor Peter Clinch as Chairperson Designate of the Board of Science Foundation Ireland. Peter’s extensive knowledge of public policy, his comprehensive understanding of the importance of research and development for competitiveness and economic growth, and his direct experience of innovation and corporate partnerships will, I have no doubt, prove invaluable to the ongoing success and future direction of Science Foundation Ireland.”

Welcoming the nomination Minister Halligan said; “Science Foundation Ireland continues to support the very best in Irish scientific and engineering research and development. Professor Clinch’s nomination as Chairperson Designate will significantly assist Science Foundation Ireland in building collaboration and in developing new innovative programmes that create a competitive advantage for Ireland.”
Since January 2015 Professor Clinch has been Chair of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) - an independent body that reports to the Taoiseach and Government on key competitiveness issues for the Irish economy and makes recommendations on actions required to enhance Ireland's competitive position. Professor Clinch’s term as Chair of the NCC comes to an end in 2019 and it is his intention to stand down from this position upon his appointment as Chair of Science Foundation Ireland.

About Professor Peter Clinch

Professor Clinch serves as a senior independent adviser to Government on competitiveness, trade and economic policy and is regularly consulted on a broad range of policy domains. Peter is an economist who holds the Jean Monnet Chair in Public Policy at UCD. He holds BA, MA and Ph.D. degrees and is the author of over 100 publications including books, book chapters, international journal articles and conference proceedings and over 100 conference papers and other publications. Peter has held Visiting Positions, or has been an invited speaker, at, amongst others, the University of California, Berkeley and San Diego, Said Business School at Oxford University, Cambridge University, the University of Southern California, and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is currently an Affiliate Faculty Member of the competitiveness programme at Harvard Business School. Peter has advised, or worked on behalf of, amongst others, the World Bank, OECD, and several national governments and/or their agencies. He has a strong presence at the European level where he represents Ireland as Chair of Ireland’s Productivity Board. Between 2011 and 2014, Peter served as Vice-President of University College Dublin with special responsibility for innovation, enterprise development and corporate partnerships. In 2017, he was conferred with a Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences for distinguished research and contributions to policy.

About Science Foundation Ireland

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is the national foundation for investment in scientific and engineering research. SFI funds oriented basic and applied research in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) which promotes and assists the development and competitiveness of the industry, enterprise and employment in Ireland. The Foundation also promotes and supports the study of and engagement with STEM and promotes an awareness and understanding of the value of STEM to society and, in particular, to the growth of the economy. 

For further information see Science Foundation Ireland - For What’s Next

Appointment of Chairpersons

In accordance with the terms of the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards, persons being proposed by Ministers for appointment as Chairpersons of State Bodies/Agencies are required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas Committee to discuss the approach which they will take to their role as Chairperson and their views about the future contribution of the body or Board in question.

The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) plays a key role in implementing the Government’s policies of stimulating the productive capacity of the economy and creating an environment which supports job creation and maintenance. The Department also has a remit to promote fair competition in the marketplace, protect consumers and safeguard workers.

For more information please contact press.office@dbei.gov.ie or ph: (01) 6312200
If you no longer wish to receive emails from the Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation Press Office, please notify us by email to press.office@dbei.gov.ie