University Professor Eyed for Presidential Bid
Fianna Fáil Weighs Academic’s Candidacy for Autumn Poll
A Derry-based Ulster University professor, Deirdre Heenan, is reportedly being considered as Fianna Fáil’s contender for the upcoming presidential election, signaling a potential shift in the political landscape.
Academic Frontrunner Emerges
Reports suggest Professor Heenan is in advanced discussions to enter the race for the autumn poll. While she has not confirmed or denied the claims, she is understood to be the preferred choice of Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Distinguished Career Path
Professor Heenan previously served as Provost and Dean of Academic Development at Ulster University’s Magee campus in Derry. Her career includes a nine-month stint as a policy adviser in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in 2008.
In 2011, the health minister appointed her to a five-person expert panel tasked with a significant review of Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland. The following year, President Michael D Higgins nominated her to the Irish President’s Council of State.
Her directorships include ILEX, a Derry urban regeneration company, and she also serves as a school governor at Foyle College and St. Patrick’s Pennyburn in Derry.
Expertise in Policy and Education
Professor Heenan, a recognized researcher, author, and broadcaster, is affiliated with the Institute for Research in Social Sciences. Her published work focuses on healthcare, education policy, social care, and devolution.
She co-founded the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey and received a Distinguished Teaching Award in 2001, followed by a National Teaching Fellowship in 2006. In 2008, she secured an ESRC fellowship.
Her academic background includes education at Banbridge Academy and Ulster University. She currently resides in Derry with her husband and three sons.
According to the OECD’s 2023 Education at a Glance report, approximately 39% of adults in OECD countries have attained tertiary education, highlighting the growing importance of academic qualifications in public life.
