IFUT has said that while a major emphasis is continually placed on the importance of research in our Universities and third-level institutions, little or no attention is placed on the rights and conditions of researchers.

 

Speaking at a Forum organised by the Irish Research Staff Association today (Friday, 30 March) in the Mansion House, Dublin, IFUT General Secretary, Mike Jennings, said that that university institutions appear to regard their research staff as second-class citizens. "This was most clearly evident in the recent failed attempt by UCC to contest the rights of one of its researchers, which the college disgracefully pursued all the way to the High Court, ultimately at the taxpayers' expense", Mr Jennings said.

 

IFUT will shortly announce details of a Memorandum of Understanding and Co-operation with the Irish Research Staff Association. In addition, the next meeting of the EU's Sectoral Social Dialogue on Higher Education will discuss research-related issues as the first item on its Agenda, at the instigation of IFUT, Mr Jennings said.

 

The IFUT Media Release is available here.