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Online Panel Discussion: DIAS and DeValera

15th June 2020 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

*DIAS 2020 PUBLIC EVENT*

DIAS was established on 19th June1940 by then Taoiseach Éamon de Valera under the Institute for Advanced Studies Act, 1940 in Dublin.

To mark 80 years since our foundation, we’re inviting you to join us for a discussion which will delve into the history of de Valera and DIAS, investigate the motivations that lead to his decision to establish such an institute at that time, and the long-lasting impacts of this decision.

The founding of the Institute was somewhat controversial, since at the time only a minority of the population were successfully completing primary education, and university education was reserved for the privileged.

However, de Valera was aware of the great symbolic importance such a body would have on the international stage for Ireland..

DIAS remains a powerful symbol of the value attached by Ireland to research and scholarship, a symbolism reinforced by historical associations with the sanctuary offered to the Nobel Prize winner Erwin Schrödinger who became first Director of the School of Theoretical Physics.

The panel discussion will explore the history of and motivations for establishing such an institute in the young state.

The Panel

This online event will be moderated by RTE journalist and historian David McCullagh.

Sitting on the panel will be:

  • Mary Daly, Emeritus Professor of History at UCD.
  • Neasa McGarrigle, Science Editor at Headstuff and historian of science, writing her PhD on DIAS and Erwin Schrödinger at Trinity College Dublin.
  •  James Lawless TD, Fianna Fail Science and Technology spokesperson.
  • Professor Luke Drury, Emeritus Professor of Astrophysics at DIAS

Join us via YouTube Live for a fascinating discussion. Please register for the link to join.

#DIAS2020 #DIASWeek