TU Dublin’s Dr Mary Deasy Speaks at Magna Charta Observatory’s 2025 Anniversary Conference
Dr Mary Deasy, Head of Engagement and Impact for Research and Innovation at TU Dublin, was invited to London last week to speak at the 2025 Anniversary Conference of the Magna Charta Universitatum (MCU) at King’s College London. The three-day event, held from 11th – 13th of November, brought together university leaders, academics, policymakers, and students from around the world to explore one central question: what are universities for?
The MCU was first signed on 18th September 1988, the 900th anniversary of the University of Bologna, by 388 university leaders from across Europe and beyond. It sets out principles of academic freedom and institutional autonomy as a guide for good university governance. In 2020, following a multi-national review and wide consultation, the updated MCU was adopted, keeping its core values while addressing contemporary global challenges and recognising universities’ wider local and international responsibilities.
TU Dublin was one of a handful of universities around the world which were chosen to take part in the Magna Charta Observatory’s research project on Responsible and Responsive Universities. Dr Deasy and Dr Catherine Bates led TU Dublin’s involvement in this project, which focused on developing an extensive research case study on the university’s supports for community engaged research both inside and outside the curriculum. Community engaged research is designed in collaboration with community organisations, in response to their research ideas and questions.
Speaking on a panel and presenting a workshop at the conference, Dr Deasy highlighted how TU Dublin approaches these values in practice. Dr Deasy described the university’s focus on community engaged research with tangible societal impact, in partnership with communities and industry, and initiatives that connect innovation with real-world challenges:
Being part of the Magna Charta community is not just about endorsing a set of ideals. It’s about showing what universities can do and how we can work in partnership with communities to combine knowledge, research, and collaboration to make a real difference in society, said Dr Deasy.
The event concluded with a ceremony for new universities signing the MCU 2020, reaffirming the global reach of the charter. TU Dublin signed the updated MCU in 2022, committing to act as a responsible and engaged partner for society, business, and other stakeholders and the conference offered a chance to learn from other institutions while showcasing TU Dublin’s work as Ireland’s first technological university.
The Magna Charta is a living framework. It reminds us that universities aren’t just about lectures and labs, they’re about shaping societies, addressing challenges, and creating opportunities beyond the campus,’ said Dr Deasy.
The conference was also a reminder that global collaboration and dialogue are key to ensuring research and education remain relevant, impactful, and aligned with the values universities were founded on.