Professor Áine Ní Dhubháin appointed Chair of council on forestry

4 March 2026

(opens in a new window)Professor Áine Ní Dhubháin is the new Chair of the COFORD Council, the body that provides scientific and policy advice to support the development of Ireland’s forests.

The appointment was announced by Minister of State for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae TD, who said that Professor Ní Dhubháin brings “a wealth of experience to this important role.”

Director of the Forestry undergraduate degree programme at UCD and a leading expert in forestry research and policy, Professor Ní Dhubháin said she looked forward to working with fellow council members and the Department to continue connecting science and policy to support the forestry sector.

“I have worked for many years on previous Councils and know that, through collaboration, we can continue to produce studies that will support the sector and its stakeholders,” she added.

The COFORD Council plays an important role in advising the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on research and evidence to support the delivery and implementation of Ireland’s Forest Strategy.

For more than 30 years it has been advising government on forestry research and development for more than 30 years.

Its work includes producing studies and reports that inform the strategic development of the sector, such as forecasts on roundwood production and plant and seed supply.

The newly appointed Council includes representatives from universities and research organisations across Ireland, including Maynooth University, the University of Limerick, University of Galway, South East Technological University and Teagasc.

By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations

To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie