Ciarán Seoighe

Dr Ciarán Seoighe is the Deputy CEO of Research Ireland, the largest competitive funder of research in Ireland formed in 2024 by the amalgamation of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Irish Research Council. Ciarán joined SFI as Deputy Director General in January 2018 where he leads the Strategy and Transformation Directorate which includes International engagement, Corporate Communications and the Strategy function which supports the development and tracking of both SFI’s and national strategies. Ciarán joined SFI after nearly two decades in management consulting with Accenture. In his time with Accenture, based in both Ireland and South Africa, Ciarán has worked with some of the world’s largest and most successful organisations across a range of industries. He holds a PhD in Quantum Physics from TCD. Ciarán led the development of SFI’s strategy and is currently leading on Research Ireland’s first Corporate Plan. He has also been a regular contributor to national strategies and initiatives including the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund Advisory Board, the Public Service Innovation Advisory Board and the Creating Our Future public consultation initiative. He is Ireland’s representative on the UK-led International AI Scientific Safety Report. He brings a wealth of experience across a variety of sectors executing large-scale transformation, innovation, strategic and change initiatives.