CURRICULUM VITAE
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Dr. Conor O'Carroll
SciPol, 97 Marian Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, Ireland
Tel: +353 87 7978425
E-mail: ocarroll.conor@gmail.com
LinkedIn Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/conor-o-carroll/8/750/a57
EDUCATION DETAILS
1988
1977
1976
Doctorate (PhD) in Physics
EC Joint Research Centre Ispra, Italy and University College Dublin
M.Sc. in Mathematics and Mathematical Physics, University College Dublin
B.Sc. in Mathematical Science, University College Dublin
EMPLOYMENT SUMMARY
Position
Consultant
Research Director
Senior Policy Advisor & Head
of Biotechnology in the S&T Division
Senior Scientific Officer
Senior Administrator
Research Scientist
Senior Research Associate
Research Fellow
Marie Curie PhD Fellow
Government of Italy & Council of
Europe Scholarship
Senior Tutor in Mathematics
LANGUAGES
English
Italian
French
German
Organisation
SciPol - Higher Education policy and Funding
Irish Universities Association (IUA)
Forfás, Science, Technology and Innovation
Dates
2014 2001-2014
2000-2001
Science and Innovation, Enterprise Ireland
Directorate for Research, European
Commission, Brussels, Belgium
Institute of Transuranium Elements (JRC),
European Commission, Karlsruhe, Germany
Department of Petroleum Engineering,
Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh
Trinity College Dublin
EC Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy and
University College Dublin
University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
1998-2000
1995-1998
St. Patrick's College, Maynooth
1978-1980
1990-1995
1989-1990
1985-1989
1982-1985
1980-1982
Mother tongue
Fluent
Excellent
Very Good
C. O’Carroll CV 15th May 2015
1
KEY AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
Experience and Knowledge
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Extensive experience of working with the Irish higher education sector, European and national
research funding agencies, government departments and industry.
Research and Innovation Human Resources and Capacity expert for European Commission on
evaluation of the Bulgarian Research and Innovation system (2015)
Advisor to the Government of Montenegro on programmes to retain researchers (2014 World
Bank)
Responsible for bringing over €3.7 million in competitive funding to support a wide range of
programmes from assessing student / researcher satisfaction to embedding structured PhD
programmes across the seven Irish universities.
Pioneered a strategic programme supporting researchers in the higher education sector and
industry to access the fiercely competitive European Marie Curie funding programme; successfully
secured over €100m for Ireland during Framework Seven.
Led the development and delivery European policy; for example, the Principles of Innovative
Doctoral Training, broadening employment opportunities for PhD graduates, now embedded in
European Higher Education policy and the Horizon 2020 funding programme.
Member of programme evaluation panels including UK Roberts Review (2010) and Medical
Research Charities Health Research Funding review (2014).
Active researcher on higher education and research policy.
Skills and Personal Qualities
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Ability to work with multiple stakeholders in the public and private sector. Ensuring a strong
participation by the universities in the development and implementation of new Irish national
policy, for example, National Research Prioritisation (2012) and Research Integrity (2014).
Proven ability to develop and deliver national / European policy and funding programmes
Led the team delivering key national services; Marie Sklodowska Curie and EURAXESS Ireland
offices.
Skilled facilitator; currently the elected chair the European Steering Group on Human Resources
and Mobility, the driving force behind EU policy for researcher career development
Successful negotiator; obtained agreement on the European Framework for Research Careers and
Innovative Doctoral Principles across 41 countries.
Representing Ireland on international committees; delegate to Excellent Science (Marie
Sklodowska Curie) in Horizon 2020.
Excellent organisational skills, secured funding and coordinated a series of conferences including
that on Researcher Career Development during the Irish Presidency of EU in 2013. Ran the entire
Career Programme for the Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF 2012) in Dublin.
Active researcher on higher education and research policy published in internationally peer
reviewed journals.
Excellent communicator; regularly invited as conference keynote speaker and write monthly
column in Irish Times on research policy.
C. O’Carroll CV 15th May 2015
2
EMPLOYMENT SUMMARY
Consultant
Independent Consultant on Research and Higher Education policy and Funding
2014 to date
Expert in the development of research funding strategies and proposal development.
Human Resources expert for European Commission on evaluation of the Bulgarian Research and
Innovation system (2015).
Advisor to the Government of Montenegro on programmes to retain researchers (2014 World Bank)
Expert Evaluator Horizon 2020; Societal Challenge 5, Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions (2014, 2015)
Active researcher on higher education and research policy.
Expert in Peer Review and active evaluator for a number of national and international organisations
including the Irish Health Research Board and European Commission (Horizon 2020). Member of
programme evaluation panels including UK Roberts Review (2010) and Medical Research Charities Health
Research Funding review (2014).
Represent Ireland on the European Steering Group in Human Resources and Mobility and was elected as
Chair in 2013. This is the key group of 41 countries charged with leading the implementation of the
European Research Area (ERA) policies concerning researchers. I have led the development of the
European Framework for Research Careers now adopted across Europe. I have also pioneered the
development of the Principles of Innovative Doctoral Training now adopted by the European Higher
Education Area and integrated into the EC Horizon 2020 programme (2014-2020).
Member of Expert Advisory Group, Science with and for Society - Horizon 2020 (2014 - present)
Member of Irish Health Research Forum Steering Group (2014 - present)
Member of International Advisory Group, Irish Research Council (2013 - present)
Member of Advisory Board – US Wild Geese Network of Irish Scientists (2012 - present)
Conferences
Presenting at ERA Conference 22-23 June 2015
Speaker at Latvian Presidency Conference on Smart Specialisation Strategy 11-12 February 2015
Keynote Speaker at Italian Presidency Conference The Empowerment of the Next Generation of
Researchers "Promoting talents, spreading excellence". Trento 18-19 November 2014
Led session on researcher career development at ESOF 2014 in Copenhagen
Research Director
Irish Universities Association (IUA)
2001 to 2014
I established in 2001 the Irish Universities Association (IUA) Research Office that now acts as a hub for
the development and furthering of university policy and practice in all research related matters. Ensured
a strong participation by the universities in the development and implementation of new Irish national
policy, for example, National Research Prioritisation (2012) and Research Integrity (2014). National
Delegate for Ireland to the European Marie Sklodowska Curie Programme 2001-2014.
Pioneered a strategic programme supporting researchers in the higher education sector and industry
to access the fiercely competitive European Marie Curie funding programme; successfully secured over
€100m for Ireland during Framework Seven. Developed an action plan for universities accessing Horizon
2020 setting the ambitious target of €240m. Delivered three key international services for public and private organisations:
1) The National
Contact Point (NCP) Office that supports researchers in the higher education sector and industry
competing for funding from the EC Marie Sklodowska Curie programme. 2) The Irish EURAXESS office
that provides essential practical support for researchers moving to Ireland (www.euraxess.ie).
3)
Running on behalf of the Departments of Enterprise and Justice the Hosting Agreement scheme that
provides a fast track immigration process for non EU researchers and their families to Ireland.
C. O’Carroll CV 15th May 2015
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Secured over €3.7 million in competitive funding for projects from assessing student / researcher
satisfaction to embedding structured PhD programmes. Coordinated a series of conferences including
that on Researcher Career Development during the Irish Presidency of EU in 2013. Ran the entire Career
Programme for the Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF 2012) in Dublin.
Senior Policy Advisor
2000 to 2001
Forfás, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ireland
Acting Head of Biotechnology in the S&T Division
Reporting to the Chief Executive:
 Responsible for the setting up of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), new national funding agency with
€700m budget. Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is the national foundation for investment in
scientific and engineering research.
 Designed new funding programmes and international peer review scheme working with the US National
Science Foundation, NIH and UK Medical Research Council).
 Led and trained team of 10 people on pre and post award grant procedures.
 Responsible for the creation of the Research Professor and Presidents Young Investigator Award
schemes along with Walton Awards and Centres for Science Engineering and Technology (CSET’s).
 Wrote legal terms and conditions for contracts; Freedom of Information Officer (FOI)
 National Delegate to FP5 and ran NCP office, Improving Human Potential (Marie Curie)
Senior Scientific Officer
1998 to 2000
Science and Innovation, Enterprise Ireland, Ireland
 Managed national science and engineering research programmes; Basic Research Grants, IndustryUniversity M.Sc., PhD & Postdoctoral Scholarships.
 Conducted programme monitoring and evaluation reviews on the impact of these funding schemes
 Introduced international peer review to national funding programmes for frontier research.
 National Delegate to FP5 and ran NCP office, Improving Human Potential (Marie Curie)
Senior Administrator
1995 to 1998
Directorate for Research, European Commission, Brussels, Belgium
 Managed the peer review of FP4 Marie Curie Training and Mobility of Researchers (TMR) Grants
 Developed Work Programmes, model contracts and terms & conditions
 Led the pre award and post award teams with 35 people managing over 2000 contracts.
 Ran team member performance evaluation as part of European Commission staff procedures
Scientist
1990 to 1994
Institute of Transuranium Elements (JRC), European Commission, Karlsruhe, Germany
 Led research group focusing on computational modeling of irradiated Uranium and Plutonium.
 Development a new nuclear fuel cycle (Thorium, accelerator driven).
 Worked with industry partners COGEMA, FRAMATOM, BNFL
Senior Research Associate
1989 to 1990
Department of Petroleum Engineering, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland
 Developed a new model for 2-phase flow in porous media (oil/water through rock) funded by British
Petroleum plc.
Research Fellow
1985 to 1989
Physics Department, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
 Worked as a computational physicist in interdisciplinary research including topics such as the structure
and properties of random solids, molecular gas dynamics and optical bistability.
Marie Curie PhD Fellow
EC Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy and University College Dublin
Government of Italy and Council of Europe Scholar
University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
C. O’Carroll CV 15th May 2015
1982 to 1985
1980 to 1982
4
Senior Tutor in Mathematics
St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, Ireland
1978 to 1980
MEMBERSHIPS NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BODIES
Irish national delegate to the European Steering Group on Human Resources and Mobility (SGHRM) (2001
to date) and elected Chair in 2013
Irish national representative on European People (Marie Sklodowska Curie) Programme Committee, FP5,
FP6, FP7, Horizon 2020
Member of Medical Charities Research Group (MRCG) Steering Group on the Health Research Funding
Landscape in Ireland 2014
Member of Irish Research Council International Advisory Board 2014 to date
Member of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) Innovation, Science and Technology
Committee, 2011 to date
Member of Advisory Board, Wild Geese Network of Irish Scientists, 2011 to date
Chair of international peer review panels for Health Research Board (HRB), Clinician Scientist 2015, PhD
Scholars 2013/2014, Medical Education Research Grants 2013/2014, Knowledge Transfer Grants 2012,
All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care 2010, Molecular & Cellular Medicine 2008/2009,
Member of European Science Open Forum (ESOF) Dublin 2012 Steering Group and Career Programme
Chair
Board Member of the Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS) 2001-2003,
2010-2012
Member of the Higher Education Research Group (HERG) charged with the coordination of the national
research effort through the Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation 2006-2012
International reviewer for Research Councils UK on evaluation of the SET for Success (Sir Gareth
Roberts) recommendations 2010
Membership of Steering Committees including,
 Evaluation of Ireland’s performance in Framework Six, 2009
 Advisory Committee on mapping of R&D activity in Ireland, 2009
 Evaluation of research investment by Science Foundation Ireland, 2008
 Evaluation of Ireland’s membership of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 2008
Member of Peer Review Panels for Health Research Board, Enterprise Ireland, Irish Research Council for
Humanities and Social Sciences and European Commission
Member of Institute of Physics and Euroscience
RESEARCH PROJECTS IN PROGRESS / COMPLETED
Title: EU2013 – Researcher Careers & Mobility Conference - are Researchers ready for a
Knowledge Intensive Europe
Funder: European Commission, FP7, Marie Curie, Community Support Action
Partners: IUA, Coordinator
Budget: €200,0000
Supporting a key conference on Researcher Careers and Mobility held in Dublin on 14th and 15th May
2013 under the auspices of the Irish Presidency. This was an opportunity to gauge progress in achieving
the objectives of the European Research Area with respect to researchers, see http://www.iua.ie/researchinnovation/rcm/ .
Title: National Research Data Project
Funder: Higher Education Authority - Strategic Innovation Fund
Status: Coordinator
Partners: All seven universities in Ireland, DIT, RCSI, SFI and HEA
Budget: €1.03m, 2009-2016
Abstract: Implementation of the InCites bibliometric analysis tool in conjunction with Thomson-Reuters to provide a
national bibliometric resource for analysis of research carried out in Irish institutions.
C. O’Carroll CV 15th May 2015
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Title: EURAXESS-TOP II, Enhancing The Outreach and Effectiveness of the Partners in the
EURAXESS Services Network
Funder: European Commission, FP7, Marie Curie, Community Support Action
Status: Work Package Leader
Partners: FECYT Spain, Bar-Ilan University Israel, CLORA France, Zagreb University Croatia, SU-NIS Bulgaria, CERTH
Greece, TETALAP Hungary, RCN Norway, British Council, University of Nis Serbia, CRUI Italy, ETH Zurich, MEF Serbia,
Archimedes Estonia, SAIA Slovakia
Budget: €130,000 (total=€2.957m), 2012-2014
Abstract: Enhancing the overall performance, quality, effectiveness and coherence of the information and services
delivered by the EURAXESS network. Provided training and support to the centres in the 35 countries involved in the
EURAXESS network. Developed and delivered a new interface for business Europe now set as European standard.
Title: PeopleNetwork, Trans-national co-operation among National Contact Points for Marie Curie Actions
(PEOPLE NCPs)
Funder: European Commission, FP7, Marie Curie, Community Support Action
Status: Partner
Partners: All 35 Member and Associated States to FP7 (Marie Curie National Contact Point Centres)
Budget: €169,140 (total=€1.98m), 2009-2011
Abstract: PeopleNetwork developed and implemented a coordination mechanism for stimulating closer
cooperation among National Contact Points for the PEOPLE programme in FP7. Facilitated the improvement of
the overall quality of NCP services across Europe in the area of mobility.
Title: EURAXESS-TOP, Enhancing The Outreach and Effectiveness of the Partners in the EURAXESS
Services Network
Funder: European Commission, FP7, Marie Curie, Community Support Action
Status: Partner
Partners: Alexander Von Humboldt Foundation Germany, Bar-Ilan University Israel, Archimedes Estonia, CLORA France,
Norway, TUBITAK Turkey, Zagreb University Croatia, SU-NIS Bulgaria, CERTH Greece, TETALAP Hungary, VINNOVA
Sweden and RCN Norway
Budget: €78,270 (total=€2.957m), 2009-2011
Abstract: Provided training and support to the centres in the 35 countries involved in the EURAXESS network. The
network plays a key role in reducing obstacles to researcher mobility through the provision of practical information on
issues including immigration, funding opportunities, social security and pensions.
Title: MOREBRAIN, From Brain Drain to Brain Gain
Funder: European Commission, FP7, Marie Curie, Community Support Action
Status: Partner
Partners: Bar-Ilan University Israel, RANNIS Iceland, FUNDECYT, Spain
Budget: €40k (total=€150k), 2009-2011
Abstract: Understanding the factors that influence international mobility of researchers might make it possible to
convert brain drain into brain gain. The project will consider the new concepts of "e-reintegration" or “virtual mobility”
and co-sharing and study their feasibility.
Title: 4th Level Network
Funder: Higher Education Authority - Strategic Innovation Fund
Status: Coordinator
Partners: All seven universities in Ireland
Budget: €2.5m, 2007-2010
Abstract: The 4th Level Network project is a collaboration between the seven universities to introduce structured PhD
programmes through Graduate Schools to ensure that the new generation of PhD students receive a world class
education and research experience that enables them to move into highly diverse careers within a knowledge based
society and economy.
Title: Irish Universities Study
Funder: Higher Education Authority - Strategic Innovation Fund
Status: Coordinator
Partners: Geary Institute, University College Dublin
Budget: €620k, 2007-2010
Abstract: The Irish Universities Study is the first comprehensive project to measure student / researchers’
experience and outcomes in Irish universities. The project used internationally benchmarked web survey methods
to interrogate the student and researcher populations.
C. O’Carroll CV 15th May 2015
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SELECTION OF PUBLICATIONS/POLICY DOCUMENTS/PRESS1
Interviews
“Scientific Visa” EURAXESS Links Newsletter, 3, 2013
“On Structured PhD's”, Nature 493,259-261, 2013
Publications / Policy Documents
O’Carroll C., et al. "Virtual mobility can drive equality", Nature, 511, 292, 2014
O’Carroll C., Brennan J., “Horizon 2020: Sustaining Excellence in University Research and Innovation”,
IUA, December 2013.
O’Carroll C., “Fast Tracked Talent - expediting visa approval helps countries to attract the best
researchers”, Nature 503, 303, 2013
O’Carroll C., Brennan J., “Are Researchers ready for a Knowledge Intensive Europe?”, Researcher
Careers and Mobility Conference 2013, Conference Report IUA September 2013
O’Carroll C., Purser L., Wislocka M., Lucey S., McGuinness N., “The PhD in Europe: Developing a System of
Doctoral Training That Will Increase the Internationalisation of Universities”, European Higher Education at
the Crossroads- Between the Bologna Process and National Reforms, Springer, 461-484, 2012
O’Carroll, “EU scientific visa is a success in Ireland, Nature Correspondence”, 490, 176, 2012
Mc Guinness N., O’Carroll C., “Benchmarking the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) in European
Research Policy”, Journal of Common Market Studies, Volume 48, Issue 2, 2010
Delaney L., Harmon C., McGovern M., O’Carroll C. and Redmond C., “Report on Contract Researchers in the
Irish Universities”, University College Dublin Geary Institute and Irish Universities Association (IUA) 2010
Delaney L., Gubbins S.A., Harmon C., Redmond C., O’Carroll C. and Redmond C., “Gender at a Glance:
Evidence from the Irish Universities Study”, University College Dublin Geary Institute and Irish Universities
Association (IUA) 2009
Delaney L., Gubbins S. A., Gubbins S. M., Harmon C., O’Carroll C., “Report on PhD Students in the Irish
Universities”, University College Dublin Geary Institute and Irish Universities Association (IUA) 2009
Delaney L., Gubbins S. A., Gubbins S. M., Harmon C., O’Carroll C., “Report on Taught Programmes in Irish
Universities”, University College Dublin Geary Institute and Irish Universities Association (IUA) 2009
1
Note that a full list of publications including conferences can be supplied if requested, see also
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/conor-o-carroll/8/750/a57
C. O’Carroll CV 15th May 2015
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Delaney L., Gubbins S. A., Gubbins S. M., Harmon C., O’Carroll C., “Report on International Students in Irish
Universities”, University College Dublin Geary Institute and Irish Universities Association (IUA) 2009
O’Carroll C., “International Peer Review improved Irish research rankings”, Nature Correspondence, 460,
949 (2009)
O’Carroll C., “More needs to be done to attract talented researchers to Ireland”, Sunday Tribune, 29th
September 2008
Meyer D., O’Carroll C., “International Collaboration is the Lifeblood of Research and Innovation”,
Handbook Internationalisation of European Higher Education, European Universities Association
(EUA) 2008
“A European Single Labour Market for Researchers”, Expert Group report to the European Commission,
EUR 23321 EN 2008
O’Carroll C., “Attracting Talented Researchers to Ireland – a review of the European Marie Curie
Programme”, Irish Universities Association (IUA) 2007
O’Carroll C., “The Researcher’s Place in a Knowledge Economy”, Technology Ireland, January 2006
“Reform of Third Level and Creation of Fourth Level Ireland – securing competitive advantage in
the 21st century”, Irish Universities Association (IUA) 2005
O’Carroll C., “Careering Towards the Knowledge Society”, Irish Universities Association (IUA)/Irish
Business & Employers Confederation, Conference Proceedings 2005
O’Carroll C., “Irish researchers ready to compete in the premier European leagues”, Irish Times,
12th May 2005
O’Carroll C., “Building Research Careers, the Postdoctoral Experience”, Conference of Heads of
Irish Universities (CHIU), Conference Proceedings, 2005
O’Carroll C., “The Future of the PhD in Ireland”, Conference of Heads of Irish Universities (CHIU)
Conference Proceedings 2004
“Report on Research Overheads”, Higher Education Authority/Forfas, 2003
C. O’Carroll CV 15th May 2015
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