The school’s coastal location means that marine research is one of its areas of expertise on both a national and global level
IN FOCUS: JE CAIRNES SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS, UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY
From the city of Galway in the west of Ireland, faculty leaders share details of the JE Cairnes School of Business and Economics’ particular research strengths, programme pedagogy and emphasis on developing students’ sense of social responsibility
advises associate head of research Karyn Morrissey. “For example, we have colleagues that are working on the marine environment and commercial marine sphere at the national and international level. Their work is being fed into how the Irish government and the EU are shaping marine strategy.” The school also espouses strong links with industry in its educational approach, with head of school Jonathan Levie explaining how this goes hand in hand with its mission and ethos. “Our aim is to make a transformative impact for students, society and business. The way we do that is increasingly through working with business.” Head of external engagement and alumni relations Majella Giblin elaborates on
recognition that they serve a wider society”. “Transformational Leadership”, meanwhile, is structured around three leadership modules and an applied strategic project. Taken together, the school’s learning pillars are designed to deliver the key objective of positioning students for “accelerated career progression”, as Lenihan terms it. LEVERAGING CONNECTIONS With points of differentiation ever-more important in today’s global industry, the school made a strategic decision to highlight its research expertise in the areas of Health & Ageing, Digital Responsibility and Environment & Marine. “As a research-led university, our school has identified three distinct areas of research where we can really contribute,”
In this episode of Leading the Future , programme director Orla Lenihan highlights “Creative Edge” as one of three learning pillars of the MBA at the University of Galway’s JE Cairnes School of Business and Economics. “This is where we develop creative skills in our students by enhancing their ability to innovate and developing their entrepreneurial skills,” details Lenihan, explaining that each learning pillar is integrated throughout the programme. Lenihan, who is also an assistant professor of sustainability, governance and finance at the school, goes on to describe the other pillars. With a focus on bringing aspects of governance, sustainability and ethics into teaching, she says “Business for Society” is “about instilling in our students the
34 Ambition • ISSUE 3 • 2026
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