Time of assuming the current leadership role

In June 2022 Professor Shane Kilcommins was appointed Provost and Deputy President of University of Limerick, Ireland.

Previous experience and education

Shane is a graduate of the University of Limerick (B.A., 1994), the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, (Ph.D, 1998), and University College Cork (MA, 2007). Shane worked as a Professor of Law in UCC before he joined UL in 2014. Prior to this, he worked in the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and WIT. He was head of the School of Law between 2014 and 2020 in UL. During this period, he established extensive links with An Garda Síochána that has involved the introduction of several new programmes for that organisation. He also successfully co-tendered for and launched an ambitious new research programme at the School of Law to help improve the effectiveness of the youth justice system in Ireland. The programme is funded by the Department of Justice and is led by Prof. Sean Redmond. During his tenure, the Law School won the AIB Private Banking Award for Best Law School in Ireland (2017), a DELTA award for disciplinary excellence in teaching and learning (2018), and postgraduate Law programme of the year (2018). Prof. Kilcommins also oversaw the redesign and refurbishment of the Law School and the establishment of a new law library and A&L Goodbody Appeal Moot Courtroom in the library extension. He also co-led the tender to provide training in commercial and company law to the Revenue Commissioners (2019-2024). The School was ranked in the top 100-200 Law Schools in the World (QS Rankings) in 2021.

In April 2021, Professor Shane Kilcommins was appointed Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Limerick, Ireland.

Research/Professional interests

His areas of expertise are criminal law, evidence law, criminal procedure, penology and legal philosophy. He is a Fulbright scholar, has been appointed an expert with European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. He has also worked as part of a team of inspectors for the Inspector of Prisons, and being invited by the then Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald, to chair the Consultative Council to advise on issues relating to penal policy. He has also chaired the consultative forum on the Victims' Charter, as part of its relaunch by the Minister for Justice and Equality. He has also acted as an expert adviser to Transparency International Ireland. In 2020, he was appointed to An Garda Síochána's Expert Review Group on Recruit Education and Entry Pathways and Learning and Development, to provide strategic advice and make recommendations on the delivery of learning and development interventions in the organisation. He is an examiner for the Law Society of Ireland, and sits on the board of the Victims' Rights Alliance.

Areas of responsibility

  • Leadership, governance and management of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, which includes the following units:
  • Department of History
  • Department of Politics and Public Administration
  • Department of Sociology
  • Irish World Academy of Music and Dance
  • School of Law
  • School of Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics
  • School of English, Irish and Communication (including Aonad na Gaeilge)
  • University of Limerick Language Centre
  • Accountable for the academic programmes within the Faculty
  • Staffing and resourcing in the Faculty
  • Quality in research teaching and processes
  • Risk Management
  • Budgetary control
  • Member of the University’s Executive Committee and Academic Council
  • Chairs Faculty Board and Management Committee
  • Develops and implements the University’s vision and strategy.