Vice President Office for R&I

Dr. Brendan Jennings

Vice President,Research & Innovation

Dr Brendan Jennings is responsible for delivering on the University’s ambitious research strategy and embedding innovation throughout TU Dublin. Reporting to the President, he holds primary responsibility for the planning, development and implementation of all research and innovation initiatives in support of TU Dublin’s vision, mission, and strategic direction relating to research and innovation. As Chair of the Research Academy, he will drive the strategic direction of research activities, providing inspirational leadership across the institution to ensure rapid and effective responses to industry needs, research funding opportunities and government policies.

Brendan has been Principal Investigator on research grants totalling €9m+, many of which were co-funded by industry partners including Cisco, IBM and Intel. From 2014 to 2019 he was Waterford IT’s first Head of Graduate Studies, leading the introduction of Structured PhD programmes and research student structures and supports across WIT’s six schools. During 2020 Brendan was the Interim Director of CONNECT, the SFI Research Centre for Future Networks and Communications. He contributed to the national response to the pandemic through his work in the SFI Expert Advisory Group on Contact Tracing, providing expert commentary on contact tracing apps to RTÉ Radio 1, the Irish Times and the BBC. Brendan is strongly committed to Integrity in Research and to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, having represented Waterford IT on both the National Research Integrity Forum and the Athena SWAN Ireland Committee.