UCD Press Release | 14 February 2025
The Royal Irish Academy has presented the 2025 RIA Gold Medal in the Humanities to Professor Anne Fuchs, Professor of German and Director of UCD Humanities Institute.
Professor Fuchs has been awarded for her exceptional scholarship in the areas of German literature, culture, and critical theory, contributing to the global understanding of modern European thought. Her ground-breaking scholarship on the transformation of German cultural memory, time and temporality from the modern period to the present day, and on modernist and contemporary literature, has led to new lines of research in German Studies and interdisciplinary research areas.
The RIA Gold Medal is one of Ireland’s highest academic honours and two Gold Medals are awarded annually to recognise and foster excellence in research which advances the public good, both nationally and internationally. This esteemed recognition celebrates outstanding contributions to science, research and scholarship.
Seamus Martin, Professor of Microbiology at Trinity College Dublin, was presented with the 2025 RIA Gold Medal in the Life and Medical Sciences. The distinguished prizes were presented at a ceremony in the Royal Irish Academy with guest of honour, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, members of the Irish higher education system, and AIB who is sponsor of the 2025 RIA Gold Medals.
Minister Lawless praised the winners for their excellence and dedication: “Seamus Martin and Anne Fuchs embody the spirit of intellectual rigor and innovation that drives Ireland’s academic landscape. Their work has not only advanced their fields but has also contributed to the global dialogue on key scientific and cultural issues. As Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science I congratulate them both on this well-deserved recognition.”
President of the Royal Irish Academy and Professor of Synthetic Organic Chemistry at UCD, Professor Pat Guiry said: “The Gold Medals are a prestigious honour bestowed on exceptional researchers in higher education across Ireland. The 2025 awards are a testament to the dedication, passion, and intellectual contributions to their disciplines demonstrated by Professor Fuchs and Professor Martin. Their research continues to shape the future of their respective fields, and it is an honour to recognise them with these prestigious awards.”
Professor Anne Fuchs said: “I am deeply honoured to receive the 2025 Royal Irish Academy Gold Medal in the Humanities. By awarding this gold medal to a scholar in German Studies and Modern Languages, the RIA recognizes the breadth of humanities disciplines and the knowledge and expertise they bring to creatively addressing the enormous challenges of the 21st century in dialogue with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and the social sciences.”
Mr Colin Hunt, CEO of AIB, said: “I extend my congratulations to Professor Seamus Martin and Professor Anne Fuchs on their remarkable achievements. It is truly inspiring to witness Irish scholars making a significant global impact in both the Life and Medical Sciences and the Humanities. This reflects the ongoing success of Irish higher education in fulfilling its immense potential to drive positive change in Irish society, the economy, and beyond.”
Prior to her current role at UCD, Professor Fuchs held the Chair of German at University of Warwick and University of St Andrews, and a personal Chair in German at UCD. As Director of UCD Humanities Institute she has catalysed numerous transdisciplinary research projects, supporting early career researchers, while also collaborating with other humanities institutes across Ireland, the UK, and the world.
Since 2005, a total of 36 Gold Medals have been awarded; notable recipients have included philosopher Professor Dermot Moran; engineer and cryptographic expert Professor Máire O’Neill, immunologist, Professor Fergus Shanahan; psychologist, Professor Malcolm MacLachlan; and environmentalist Professor Jennifer McElwain.
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[Images from left: Prof. Fuchs with medal | Prof. Fuchs with Prof. Orla Feely, UCD President (on right)| Prof. Fuchs with Prof. Pat Guiry, RIA President]
The award ceremony took place at the Royal Irish Academy on Thursday, 13th February 2025. Professor Fuchs noted in her address:
"In our disruptive times democracy remains a fragile endeavour, requiring the vigilant participation of informed and engaged citizens. The humanities play an indispensable role in this regard: they foster critical and historical thinking alongside linguistic, aesthetic and affective sensibilities in our students. These qualities are surely needed if we want to creatively address the complex disruptions of the 21st century. I thank the Academy once more for awarding me the 2025 Gold medal in the humanities, making this a very special day".