In June 2023, Dr Sandra Joyce was appointed Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and had served as Interim Executive Dean since July 2022.  Prior to this position, she held the role of Director at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance for more than 9 years.  While leading the 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.

Sandra’s research interests include the Irish harp and song traditions, historical ethnomusicology, and environmental humanities.

Sandra is also a traditional singer and bodhrán player.  She has performed extensively around the globe, with recent performances at Harvard University and Milwaukee IrishFest.  On February 7th, 2023, she 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.

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 English, Irish and Communication (including Aonad na Gaeilge)
  • School of Law
  • School of Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics
  • 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 AHSS Management Committee and Faculty Board
  • Develops and implements the University’s vision and strategy.