The abrupt departure of Professor Philip Nolan from his leading role at Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) amid claims of bullying has occurred at a less than optimal time for the public body. The organisation is currently dealing with the complications of an intensive merger with the Irish Research Council (IRC). This fusion has been masterminded by the Government to enhance its global position by advancing pioneering research and building strategic alliances that are vital for the future economic growth of the nation.
SFI has a unique ethos centred on science, technology, engineering and maths, while the IRC endorses elementary research in areas of arts, humanities and social sciences. The amalgamated entity will be known as Taighde Éireann or Research Ireland.
Their ambitions extend to the boundary of digitalisation involving AI; countering potential health dangers that could escalate into pandemics; and crafting a more effective response to the escalating climate crisis. They have the support of an annual budget that nears €300 million.
Given Nolan’s undeniable prowess in research and his significant contribution as a member of the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) over the Covid-19 period, it was expected when he was selected as the prospective chief executive last year. Nolan was particularly instrumental in leading Nphet’s disease monitoring subgroup and communicating potential scenarios to the Government and the general public.
Despite encountering some “timeline hitches”, the merger was set to occur in the first half of 2024 with the necessary legislation in play. Now at report stage, Research Ireland, the new institution, is scheduled to officially exist from September at the soonest.
In December 2023, SFI was taken by surprise when misconduct allegations against Nolan were made by five senior executives through protected disclosures. SFI board arranged for an impartial investigation to examine these allegations and were planning to review the findings in an upcoming meeting. Reports suggest that Nolan was cleared of any misconduct or violation of corporate governance, and no conclusions of bullying were drawn in his regard.
However, it has been rumoured that the investigation concluded Nolan exhibited “unacceptable behaviour” towards specific staff members, particularly two senior employees. It is reported that Nolan challenged both the investigation process and its conclusions.
The uncertainty surrounding SFI’s future direction has intensified tensions within the government, with the pivotal amalgamation occurring amidst warnings from the board about the absence of robust, unified management. After a month’s absence due to illness, Nolan made a comeback last week, putting an end to the standstill. Despite expressing his anticipation for working with his colleagues in the coming months, Nolan voiced his disappointment over the media’s portrayal of the SFI controversy, claiming it had caused irreversible harm to both SFI’s image and his own wellbeing and reputation.
Chairman Prof Peter Clinch relayed the board’s decision to dismiss the director general to Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan, a week after Nolan’s return. O’Donovan’s representative stated that the minister is meticulously contemplating the issue, seeking counsel from the Attorney General when necessary. As of yet, it remains uncertain if Nolan, who denies any transgressions, will wage a legal battle against his termination, arguing wrongful dismissal or launching a High Court challenge, although the nature of his dismissal suggests this is a definite possibility.
Regardless of this controversy, Nolan’s next step is expected to be a position in higher education, perhaps as a top-level administrator or lead researcher rather than regaining his previous role or becoming the CEO of Research Ireland, as originally intended. Nolan may have seemed to have reached prominence overnight, relaying information about the pandemic almost every day. However, he brings along two decades of leadership in higher education, including his tenure as president of Maynooth University and vice-president of University College Dublin for seven years. He was a scholar in the field of physiology and health science, practicing at UCD for eight years from 1996.
Amidst all this, Dr Ciarán Seoighe, Nolan’s deputy at SFI, has stepped into the role of interim director general. Getting the merger back on course will be his primary focus for the interim period.