A new executive dean has been appointed to head up University of Limerick’s Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Dr Sandra Joyce, who has served as the Interim Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences since July 2022, has been appointed to the role for a five-year period.
Prior to her appointment, Dr Joyce held the role of Director at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance for more than nine years.
Dr Joyce said: “I am deeply honoured to assume the position of Executive Dean of the diverse and vibrant Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences for the upcoming five-year period.
“I look forward to collaborating with colleagues within and outside the University of Limerick as I embrace the exciting and challenging responsibilities of this role.”
Dr Joyce’s appointment was welcomed by UL President Professor Kerstin Mey.
“I look very much forward to working with Sandra in her new role and as member of the Executive Committee. While leading the Irish World Academy, she played a key role in several impactful curricular and research developments, including the enhancement of the arts practice research landscape and its broader recognition within and outside of UL.
“She facilitated numerous important collaborations between the university and the arts sector, including prestigious partnerships with the renowned Silkroad ensemble and the appointment of Grammy and Pulitzer Prize winner Rhiannon Giddens as artist in residence,” added Professor Mey.
A former course director of the MA Irish Music Studies, Dr Joyce is a traditional singer and bodhrán player who has performed extensively around the globe, with recent performances at Harvard University and Milwaukee IrishFest.
Originally from Tuam, Co Galway and now living in East Limerick, Dr Joyce released her solo song recording titled ‘Since you and I have been: Songs of love and loss from the Irish tradition’, which features notable artists Dónal Lunny, Niall Keegan, Cora Venus Lunny and Ernestine Healy, in February of this year.