The HECA Research Conference 2025

A Celebration of Research, Community and Vision Across Independent and Private Higher Education

The HECA Research Conference 2025 brought together presidents, academics, students, policy voices, and industry partners from across Ireland’s independent and private higher education sector for a day of connection, reflection and research excellence. Hosted at Dublin Business School, the event highlighted the sector’s growing research culture and reinforced the important role HECA institutions play in Ireland’s wider knowledge landscape. Our MC for the day, Dr Kelly Hunnings, introduced Tim Bicknell, President of Dublin Business School, who opened the conference with welcoming remarks and set a warm and collegial tone for the day. This was followed by an address from Dr Marcella Finnerty, HECA Chair, who spoke about the continued development of research capacity across independent and private higher education, and the shared commitment to supporting both staff and student researchers. 

One of the most memorable moments of the day was the keynote delivered by Dr Tom Farrelly of Munster Technological University (MTU), who offered a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of how generative artificial intelligence is reshaping research and academic practice. In his talk, Beyond the Algorithm: Redefining Research in the Age of Generative AI, he examined the rapid growth of AI, the shifting nature of scientific inquiry, and the need for researchers to protect human creativity, judgement and critical thinking in an age of automation. This talk was provocative and challenging to both boosters and critics of AI. His keynote resonated strongly with attendees and provided a powerful framework for the conversations that followed.

The research presentations throughout the day reflected the full breath of the conference theme Thriving in the Digital Age: AI, Education and Wellbeing for a Resilient Ireland. Presenters explored topics related to wellbeing, including how people experience stress, anxiety, motivation and personal coping in challenging environments. Other presentations examined developments in artificial intelligence, machine learning and digital tools, showing how these technologies are influencing areas such as healthcare, environmental prediction, industry processes and organisational practice. Work centred on education highlighted evolving approaches to teaching, learning, assessment, academic integrity and the development of empathy and ethical awareness. There was a big focus on business and sustainability, highlighting student and staff contributions to real-world projects that spanned across agriculture, pharmaceuticals, supply chain performance and digital marketing and creative media. Across all sessions, researchers demonstrated a shared focus on real-world impact and social relevance.

Each set of presentations concluded with an extended question-and-answer session, where students, lecturers and sector leaders engaged directly with the presenters. These conversations brought an added layer of depth and energy to the day, reflecting the collaborative spirit that defines independent and private higher education. Each of the Q&A sessions could well have gone on longer than the packed schedule allowed. The delegates were very engaged and energising.

The conference also featured the HECA Research Conference Panel, which gathered leaders from national policy, sector governance, institutional research management, industry and the student community. Together, they explored questions around long-term research identity, sector-wide collaboration, visibility and coherence of research activity, navigating the evolving funding landscape, and how HECA institutions can meaningfully engage with themes such as artificial intelligence, digitalisation and wellbeing.

Celebrating the talent of emerging researchers was another important aspect of the event, with the Fifth Annual HECA Student Research Awards (HSRA) recognising outstanding student research and highlighting the strong culture of inquiry and support across HECA institutions.

The winners of the HSRA 2025 Digital Poster Exhibition

By the end of the conference, the collective sense of purpose was clear. The HECA Research Conference 2025 showcased the breadth and significance of research taking place across independent and private higher education, strengthened connections among institutions and reaffirmed the sector’s commitment to nurturing impactful research that supports a resilient, future-ready Ireland.

The 2025 HECA conference at Dublin Business School was a brilliant event, filled with collaboration and insight.

It brought together research across AI, digital innovation and education, with multiple speakers including our president Tim Bicknell.#dublinbusinessschool #HECA pic.twitter.com/L0uPtApyaG

— DBS | Dublin Business School (@DBScollege) November 12, 2025