Professor Ann Ledwith is a graduate of N.I.H.E Limerick where she obtained a degree in Electronic Engineering. She subsequently completed an MBA at the University of Limerick and a PhD at the University of Brighton.
Before joining the Office of the Provost and Deputy President in January 2023 as the Director HCI and UL@Work, Professor Ledwith held a variety of positions at UL including Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies, Director of Continuing and Professional Education, and Assistant Dean of Research (Adult and Continuing Education) with the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
As the Director HCI and UL@Work, Professor Ledwith is responsible for delivering UL’s Human Capital Initiative project, UL@Work, which aims to develop digital, industry 4.0, talent through flexible, innovative and technology-enabled, experiential learning; linking enterprise and education to form a co-designed future learning environment. She is passionate about the role of the university in supporting regional growth and currently chairs Explore Engineering,an industry-led initiative to the increase the quality and quantity of engineering talent (apprentice, technicians and engineers) in the region. Additionally, she represents UL on several regional bodies including the Mid-West Regional Enterprise Plan Steering Group and the Limerick Regeneration Local Strategic Advisory Monitoring Group. Professor Ledwith is also responsible for leading the introduction of UL’s new Virtual Learning Environment, Brightspace, which is funded through the UL@Work project.
Professor Ledwith worked for over twelve years as a Product Development Engineer and as a Manager of Product Development in small high-technology firms. She spent 2 years managing the Centre for Project Management at the University of Limerick. Professor Ledwith has a keen interest in work-based students and flexible learning. Throughout her academic career, she has designed and delivered part-time and blended programmes for both under- and post-graduate students on topics such as Project Management, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Management, Technology Management and Reliability.
Her research interests include new product development, project management, R&D management, innovation and technology management in small firms. Professor Ledwith regularly publishes on these topics in leading journals including the Journal of Product Innovation Management, Management Decision, International Journal of Project Management and Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development.
