University College Dublin (UCD), Ulster University (Ulster) and Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) have joined forces to connect Research Managers and Administrators across the island of Ireland.
The initiative has the long-term goal of setting up an All-Island Research Excellence Network (AIREN) that will benefit the whole sector. The AIREN project is being delivered with support from InterTradeIreland’s Synergy initiative.
Synergy is a cross border cluster initiative set up by InterTradeIreland, the Cross-Border Trade and Business Development Body. The initiative aims to increase the growth and competitiveness on the island of Ireland, by supporting synergistic cross-border connections between networks, partnerships, sectors and clusters.

Team Members
Our Management Team members are made up of representatives from UCD, UU and QUB.

Caroline Treacey
(Lead partner) –
Research & Innovation Manager
at University College Dublin
UCD is one of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities; an environment where undergraduate education

Sarah-Jayne Smith
European and International
Research Manager – AHSS, Queen’s
University Belfast
Queen’s University Belfast is the ninth-oldest university in the UK. Founded by Royal Charter as Queen’s College in 1845

Shauna McKeown
Head of Research
Development, Ulster
University
Ulster University’s international reputation for research excellence has received worldwide recognition