UCD School of Art History & Cultural Policy

In the University College Dublin Research News. Congrats to Prof Kathleen James-Chakraborty & Dr Alborz Dianat on the recent launch of "Minding Her Business: Women, Architecture, and Design"

New book Minding Her Business Women, Architecture, and Design A groundbreaking new book is set to rewrite the narrative of modern architecture and design by shining a spotlight on the powerful, global impact of women entrepreneurs.

Congrats to School alumni Laura Fitzachary & Priscilla Sonnier on their upcoming 2nd Summer Symposium "Threads: Stitching Together the History of Irish Dress"
Booking now live on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-person-at-threads-stitching-together-the-history-of-irish-dress-2026-tickets-1991448629459

Applications now open for the 2026/28 cycle of the UCD School of Art History & Cultural Policy Diploma & Purser-Griffith Lectures in the History of European Painting.
This programme is open to diploma & general interest students.
https://www.ucd.ie/arthistory/study/diplomapurser-griffithlectures/

Upcoming on Inis Mór.... speakers include UCD School of Art History & Cultural Policy Assoc. Prof. Róisín Kennedy.

Rivers on Aran -Celebration of Modernist Artist Elizabeth Rivers June 16-18 Rivers on Aran 2026 3 days of art, history, film, and music celebrating Modernist artist Elizabeth Joyce Rivers and her Inis Mór connection.

The School of Art History and Cultural Policy is delighted to welcome Dr Matisse Huiskens, who joined University College Dublin and the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) in May 2026 as a Research Ireland Enterprise Postdoctoral Fellow. Prior to joining UCD, Dr Huiskens was a Lecturer in Modern and Contemporary Art at Utrecht University. As an art historian, critic, and curator, he focuses on post-war art and exhibitions, counter-communities, migration, and cross-border exchange.

At UCD, Dr Huiskens is undertaking the project ‘Unpacking the Paul O’Neill Archive at IMMA: Nationhood, Counterpublics, and the Curating of Contemporary Art in Globalising Ireland Since 1991.’ The project investigates the Paul O'Neill Archive to explore how curatorial practices have reshaped socio-cultural identities since IMMA's establishment in 1991. As one of Ireland's most significant archives for contemporary art and curating, the archive offers exciting opportunities for the School, including site visits, dissertation topics, archival research, and collaborative research formats.

Working with Assoc Prof Róisín Kennedy (UCD) and Dr Lisa Moran (IMMA) as his mentors, Dr Huiskens contributes to research, teaching, and public programmes at both institutions, fostering new opportunities for collaboration between the university and the wider cultural sector.

Dr Huiskens said, “I am thrilled to have joined UCD School of Art History & Cultural Policy and to become part of the oldest department of art history on the island of Ireland. What particularly attracted me to the School is its distinguished tradition of scholarship, ranging from the earliest pioneering work to internationally recognised research undertaken today. I am looking forward to contributing to this vibrant intellectual community, working closely with students and colleagues, and advancing innovative research that connects Ireland’s art histories to the world”.

Photo: Lucy Jorgensen

Upcoming! Tues, 26 May
Our Annual Alumni Summertime Gathering.
Join us. Registration link:

UCD School of Art History & Cultural Policy | Alumni Summer Gathering From Past to Present: an architectural tour of Belfield

The School of Art History and Cultural Policy at University College Dublin is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Michael Iantorno as Assistant Professor in Creative and Cultural Industries, who will join University College Dublin in September 2026.

Dr Iantorno is a media scholar, game developer, and a current postdoctoral fellow in the University of Waterloo’s Department of Sociology and Legal Studies. His research centres user-driven videogame histories, and interrogates the state of media industry labour. Dr Iantorno is currently leading 'Longplay: Cultivating Economically Sustainable Game Studios in Canada', a longitudinal research project that studies the efficacy of incubator, accelerator, and mentorship programs in the Canadian game industry. His recent white paper exploring unions and worker co-ops in the game industry, 'If You Don’t Like the Game, Change the Rules', has been widely adopted as a crucial text by labour organisers and game studies educators.

Dr Iantorno's academic research is complemented by years of industry work as an independent game developer, recording studio production manager, audio technician and producer, and videogame level designer. Speaking on his appointment, Dr Iantorno said 'The School of Art History & Cultural Policy is an ideal venue for my work, as I combine media theory, cultural policy, and game development in my scholarly practice. I’m excited at the prospect of teaching and mentoring students who are passionate about both researching and entering the creative industries, and look forward to expanding UCD’s research agenda in the areas of game studies, media and communication, and creative industry scholarship.’

Dr Iantorno will be a central member of the academic team delivering the BA Humanities in Creative and Cultural Industries in the UCD College of Arts and Humanities, contributing to the MA in Cultural Policy and Arts Management, and joining the staff at UCD who are part of the HEA-funded Creative Futures Academy (a joint initiative of UCD, IADT and NCAD). Ireland’s video game industry is expanding rapidly, with recent studies also indicating more than 50% of Irish adults participate in gaming. We welcome the contribution Michael will make to the Irish and European game studies community, and directly to our BA in Creative and Cultural Industries students, who are exploring future careers in creative entrepreneurship and new models of creative work.

Dr Roisin Kennedy, Head of School, remarked that ‘Dr Iantorno’s interdisciplinary strengths — combining practitioner experience with creative entrepreneurship, academic expertise, and links with industry — will be an incredible asset to the School, College and University. We look forward to working with Dr Iantorno, knowing that he will make a great contribution to the CCI programme'.

👏 👏 👏 What a brilliant day we had on Friday - celebrating the first graduating class of the BA in Creative and Cultural Industries in the UCD College of Arts and Humanities with a Showcase of their final work launched by University College Dublin President Orla Feely!

More than 150 attendees joined us in UCD's Trapdoor Theatre -- friends, family, and faculty -- to see final project posters from all of the students, and hear short presentations from - selection. Head of Programme Prof. Emily Mark-FitzGerald opened the day, and Teaching Fellow Dafe Pessu Orugbo introduced our student presenters Klaudie Guthova, Annabelle Morris, Haiyue Jing, Lara Comiskey, and Eva Duggan.

The BA in Creative & Cultural Industries has been supported by the Creative Futures Academy and now enrolls more than 150 students - blending studies in the arts & humanities; information and communication; business; and law.

We in the School are so proud of our students, and their future ambitions in media, music, visual arts, theatre, film, broadcasting, fashion digital culture, marketing and more! We can’t wait to see where they go next 🎉⭐️

Check out also the great write up from RTE on the Showcase:
https://www.rte.ie/culture/2026/0511/1572770-first-ucd-creative-industries-class-hosts-showcase-event/

Exciting News!
UCD School of Art History & Cultural Policy is hiring! We are seeking a new Assistant Professor to join our fabulous School as a lecturer in Contemporary Art History.

Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Contemporary Art History, UCD School of Art History and Cultural Policy, Perm | University Vacancies Ireland Institution University College Dublin Vacancy Category Academic Salary From €65 401 Salary To €103 564 Contract Type Permanent Reference 019669 Subject / Area Creative Arts and Design Education Studies (inc. TEFL) Historical and Philosophical Studies Apply Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Contemp...

Arts & Culture Venue Manager Roscommon Arts Centre

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