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Údarás Elections, 2026

Governing Authority Election Result, 2026

Following this week’s election and counting of votes, we are pleased to announce the results of the Governing Authority Elections 2026. 
There were 2 (two) vacancies in the internal membership to be filled by election of staff from the following grades: 

Professorial cohort (defined by University of Galway as Personal Professor, Professor In and Established Professor grades) 
Professional support staff (including support and technical staff)

In terms of the Professorial Election, a total of 507 valid votes were cast. The quota for this constituency was 253,501. 
In terms of the Professional Support Staff Election, a total of 667 valid votes were cast. The quota for this constituency was 333,501. 

The following candidates are deemed elected: 

Professor Manus Biggs, School of Engineering 
Nuala McGuinn, Centre for Adult Learning & Professional Development

Full details of the count conducted and the transfer of votes can be found here - Election 2026 Result Sheet.pdf.
In accordance with Election Regulations adopted by Údarás na hOllscoile, counting of votes was via Proportional Representation with Single Transferable Vote (PRSTV) with fractional transfer (i.e. Seanad Eireann rules). 

Counting of votes was conducted by Mi-Voice Limited in their role as Independent Scrutineers, with two independent observers, Mr Aidan Mullany, Assistant Director (Finance and Operations) and Head of Governance, Irish Universities Association (IUA), and Mr Mike Ward, Legal Counsel, Office of Corporate and Legal Affairs, reporting to the Returning Officer, the Secretary for Governance & Academic Affairs. 

Governing Authority Elections 2026

Údarás na hOllscoile, the Governing Authority, is the ultimate decision-making body in the University. Established under the 1997 Irish Universities Act as amended by the Higher Education Authority Act 2022, Údarás na hOllscoile is responsible with promoting the success and reputation of the University while over-seeing its strategic direction. Two (2) positions in the internal membership of Governing Authority will become vacant on 31st July 2026 and will be filled through election.

Údarás na hOllscoile commenced a new term on 1st February 2025 and its membership includes five (5) internal members, of which (2) positions will become vacant on 31^st July 2026. These two (2) vacancies in the internal membership will be filled by election from amongst two (2) staff cohorts:

Professorial Cohort
(defined by University of Galway as Personal Professor, Professor In and Full Professor cohort)
Professional Support Staff Cohort
(including support and technical staff)

Please note:

Professors, including Other Academic Staff and Research Staff will be eligible to vote in the election for the Professorial seat but nominees for this seat will only be drawn from the Professorial Cohort.
Professional support staff, including Technical Staff, will be eligible to be nominated for and vote in the election for the Professional Support Staff seat.

Election Timelines

‌Voting in the elections will take place between 9.00 a.m. (Irish time) on Monday 15th June, 2026 and 12.00 p.m. (Irish time) on Tuesday 16th June, 2026. Detailed timelines for the Nomination and Election process are set out in the Election Timeline 2026

Nominations

Open: 08:50 on Thursday 02 April 2026
Close: 17:00 on Tuesday 28 April 2026

Election

Open: 09:00 on Monday 15 June 2026
Close: midday on Tuesday 16 June 2026

Voter Eligibility

Professors, including Other Academic Staff and Research Staff will be eligible to vote in the election for the Professorial seat but nominees for this seat will only be drawn from the Professorial Cohort.
Professional support staff, including Technical Staff, will be eligible to be nominated for and vote in the election for the Professional Support Staff seat.

Quotas

The following quotas will be applied to ensure appropriate representation across staff cohort and genders:

At least one vacancy must be filled by a member of Professorial Cohort (excluding Other Academic Staff and Research Staff).
At least one vacancy must be filled by a member of Professional Support Staff Cohort (including support and technical staff)

Governing Authority Membership: What is involved?

Údarás na hOllscoile members are responsible for the long-term sustainability of the University. They are required to make independent judgements on issues such as strategy, performance, resources, key appointments and standards of conduct.

In particular, each member has a fiduciary duty to the University in the first instance (i.e. the duty to act in good faith and in the best interests of the University).

Time Commitment:

The Governing Authority meets at least six times per year at the end of the month in February, March, April, June, October and in mid-December. In addition, members also become members of one sub-Committee of Governing Authority. The sub-Committees meet at least five times per year, usually in advance of the Governing Authority meetings. Documentation for meetings is provided a week in advance and requires a couple of days reading and preparation.

Although all members are expected to attend some meetings in person, it will be possible to participate in meetings remotely via online platforms.

Further details on the role and current membership of Údarás na hOllscoile can be found here.

Údarás na hOllscoile Election Regulations