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FEATURE | Innovation


Innovation in Unexpected Quarters


Arts & Humanities in Trinity

Trinity College Dublin has a long standing reputation in Arts & Humanities since the founding of the University in 1592. Arts & Humanities have been a cornerstone of the University which has always been an important centre of culture in Dublin and Ireland.

Today, Arts & Humanities continue to fl ourish with the same attention to research and teaching that makes Trinity stand amongst the world’s best academic institutions.

The Trinity Long Room Hub (LRH), the brainchild of a number of entrepreneurial academics and the Librarian, is a unique concept designed to build on a key strength in teaching and research at the University.

The LRH builds on the depth of research and teaching in Arts & Humanities and the strength of the collections in the Library. The Book of Kells is the most famous of these, but there is a treasury of unique material which remains yet relatively undiscovered.

The LRH will act as a facilitator and institute, an umbrella under which Arts & Humanities research at Trinity will be promoted nationally and internationally. It will act as an enabler, connector, fundraiser, brand builder, broadcaster and marketing platform. The LRH team will allow senior and junior academics to focus more on their research. In addition, it will act as an interface with the public by hosting a series of outreach events.

www.tcd/ie/longroomhub


"We wish to ensure that future generations are equipped to be our leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs. We can do this by ensuring students receive cutting-edge research-based teaching and this is what the Trinity Long Room Hub facilitates. In terms of the digital agenda, we have a real opportunity to train this generation of humanities scholars so that they will be at the cutting edge in their fi elds. Add to this, business acumen, a good sense of knowledge, and the experience of multi-disciplinary collaboration and you will have graduates of extraordinary ability.”"

(Photo of Professor Poul Holm Academic Director of the Trinity Long Room Hub)


"Trinity has a tradition of producing graduates who think critically, have superior analytical and communication skills, and embrace change with ease; attributes eagerly sought by employers."

(Photo of Professor Jane Ohlmeyer Ph.D., M.A. (j.o.) F.T.C.D. (1991))


Trinity Long Room Hub building

The LRH’s physical manifestation is a new building in Fellows’ Square (adjacent to the Long Room) which will provide facilities for Trinity and international academics. The building will house leading research projects many of which aim to unlock the treasures of our historic Library Collections and work in partnership with industry, local cultural institutions and Dublin City Council.

It will also facilitate exchange between scholars from Trinity and abroad serving as a venue for a series of public outreach events.

A number of fellowships for visiting academics will be announced in Autumn 2009 and the building will be opened in Spring 2010. Additional funds for the building are being provided by a number of individuals and a group of UK Trinity alumni.


36 | Trinity Today