Governing and Assuring the Modern University
Irish institutions are navigating increasing regulatory oversight, financial pressures, complex stakeholder relationships and heightened expectations around accountability, assurance and public value. Governing Authorities provide strategic oversight by setting institutional direction, while assuring financial sustainability and academic quality. The whole system of governance should ensure the institution delivers its public mission through accountable stewardship of resources, student success, research, civic engagement and contribution to national social and economic priorities
Part of Advance HE’s Governing and Assuring the Modern University member benefit theme, the Forum will provide a collaborative space for participants to consider these challenges, exchange perspectives and strengthen governance practice across the sector.
Who should attend
The Forum is designed primarily for:
- university and institutional secretaries
- clerks to governing authorities and committees
- directors, heads and managers of governance
- governance officers
- chairs and deputy chairs of governing authorities
- chairs of governing authorities and committees.
Why attend?
The Forum provides an opportunity to:
- connect with governance colleagues from across Irish higher education
- share experiences and learn from different institutional approaches
- hear from Irish sector leaders and policy makers about current and emerging challenges
- reflect on how effective governance can support institutional assurance and decision-making
- strengthen relationships across the Irish higher education governance community
- receive a certificate and digital badge recognising your participation in the Forum.
Draft agenda
| 09:30 – 10:00 | Registration and refreshments |
| 10:00 | Welcome and introductions |
| 10:20 | Overview of policy |
| 11:00 | In Conversation: Governing and Assuring the Modern University in Ireland |
| 11:30 | Refreshment break |
| 11:50 | Panel Discussion: The golden triangle of governance – setting the culture of effective governance |
| 12:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30 | Governance Effectiveness Framework Refresh |
| 14:00 | Table discussions: What does effective governance look like in Ireland? |
| 14:50 | Close and wrap up |
Confirmed speakers
Professor Eeva Leinonen
President, Maynooth University
Professor Eeva Leinonen is President at Maynooth University and is Chair of the Advance HE Irish Strategic Advisory Board.
Michael Murphy
Chancellor, National University of Ireland
Michael Murphy has extensive leadership experience across the public and private sectors in both education and health service domains. He is the Chancellor of the National University of Ireland, immediate Past-President of the European University Association and a former President of University College Cork (UCC). He has chaired the Global University Associations Forum, the Advisory Board of U-Multirank and the Steering Committee of the European Learning and Teaching Forum
Caroline Loughnane
Associate – Governance
Caroline is an experienced, dynamic university leader, with expertise in HE governance, strategy development, leadership of academic affairs, change management, and external engagement. She has held senior positions in Higher Education for twenty years. Caroline is a skilled communicator with a thorough understanding of the changing nature of Higher Education governance, informed by international trends and objective analysis
Brendan McGinty
Chairman of Governing Body, National College of Ireland
Brendan McGinty is a leading expert in people strategy, employment relations, employment policy, change management and dispute resolution. He is Managing Partner of Stratis Consulting, Ireland's leading specialist consultancy supporting organisations on strategic employment relations.
Aaron Porter
Associate Director (Governance)
Aaron leads on Advance HE governance activity through the delivery of our national Governor Development Programme which engages with around 900 governors across the UK on an annual basis. He has extensive experience leading reviews of over 25 governing boards. Aaron was previously President of the National Union of Students (NUS) and also chair of trustees for the organisation.
Marian O’Sullivan
Associate, Governance
From January 1st 2024 to July 31st 2024, Dr Marian O’Sullivan filled the post of interim Director of Governance (Deputy Corporate Secretary) at University College Cork (UCC). Her role was to enable the University Community to meet its ever-growing governance requirements, including supporting the work of the newly appointed Governing Authority (GA), the Audit and Risk Committee, and other sub-Committees.
Past speakers
Speakers from previous forums have included:
- Department for Further and Higher Education
- Irish Universities Association
- Technological Universities Association
- Presidents
- Chairs
Event details
Date: 18 November 2026
Format: In person
Cost: Exclusive and free to attend for colleagues at Advance HE members
Eligibility: Exclusively available to Advance HE members
Further details, including timings and the programme, will be announced shortly.
