Dr. Christy Ann Petit:

I will elaborate a little bit on the role of academics. I very much agree with all of our speakers that we have a mission. It is not just about excellent research and learning but there is a very significant part about engagement, which is also part of the mission of Dublin City University, DCU. In these engagement activities, it is our mission and responsibility to get out of our ivory tower and to convey all of these data and evidence and what we believe, to some extent, because there is also an opinion that we represent, namely, the academic position. This is where I would very much support the committee’s proposal or the fact that it emphasises establishing a forum of activities in which academics could participate and play a role here, between North and South and east and west. There are many initiatives and issues and all worlds, including academia, policymakers and communities need to be talking to one another and making space for that and spending time together. It is about making this knowledge and all of this accessible. It is a challenge but is a mission we can achieve.