The Governing Body of the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) has appointed Professor Paul Connolly as the University’s next President.
Professor Connolly will take up office in spring 2027, succeeding the founding President, Professor Vincent Cunnane, who is retiring on January 31st next.
The appointment follows an international search and selection process, which began after Professor Cunnane announced in May his intention to retire.
Professor Connolly will join TUS from Ulster University, where he is Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and Professor of Education, internationally known for his research on early childhood. Ulster University’s campuses span Belfast, Coleraine and Derry.
He has held senior academic leadership roles at three universities: Ulster University, Queen’s University Belfast and Lancaster University. These include executive leadership of large, multi-disciplinary faculties and in research and enterprise functions.
Professor Connolly will arrive at a significant juncture in TUS’s development and will lead the university as it moves beyond its foundational phase and into the next stage of its evolution.
Josephine Feehily, Chair of the Governing Body of TUS, said: “I am pleased to announce Professor Paul Connolly as the next President of TUS. The international search attracted a field of real depth and quality. Professor Connolly stood out for his commitment to our values in parallel with the strength of his academic, executive and research leadership, his clear understanding of what a Technological University can do for its region, and his experience across complex institutions on the island of Ireland as well as in Britain. TUS has been established and consolidated under the leadership of Professor Vincent Cunnane, and Professor Connolly will have the opportunity to lead it into its next stage. I want to thank all who took part in the process, and to acknowledge again the outstanding contribution Vincent has made and will continue to make until his retirement.”
Professor Paul Connolly said: “I am honoured to have been selected as the next President of TUS. Technological Universities hold a distinctive place in higher education. They are rooted in their regions, open to learners from every background, and committed to education and research that make a real difference to people’s lives. These are all key goals that I feel passionately about and that have been consistent priorities for me in all my previous roles. Professor Cunnane and colleagues across TUS have built something remarkable in a short time. I look forward to working with staff, students and all stakeholders to shape the University’s next chapter.”
Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of TUS, said: “I warmly congratulate Professor Connolly on his appointment as the next President of TUS. Paul brings exceptional experience to TUS from his three previous Universities, including regional engagement, leadership in a multi-campus environment and a commitment to the values that this university holds dear. I am confident TUS will continue to flourish under his leadership, and I look forward to working with him to ensure a smooth transition in the months ahead.”
Professor Paul Connolly has been Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Ulster University, a multi-campus institution spanning Belfast, Coleraine and Derry, since 2022.
He is also Professor of Education at Ulster University and has led many large-scale interdisciplinary research programmes, including global networks, aimed at supporting the development of services to improve outcomes for young children from marginalised and disadvantaged backgrounds.
He began his academic career at Ulster University as Lecturer and then Senior Lecturer in Sociology (1994–2003). He then joined Queen’s University Belfast as Reader and later Professor of Education (2003–2019). At Queen’s he also served as Head of the School of Education; Dean of Research for the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise.
He was Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Lancaster University (2020–2022) before taking up his current role.
Professor Connolly is an elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and has a research and publication record spanning more than 30 years.