Dr. Ciarán Seoighe is Deputy CEO of Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland, the body formed from the amalgamation of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Irish Research Council in August 2024. Since joining SFI in 2018, Ciarán has led the Strategy and Transformation Directorate, overseeing the organisation’s International, Strategy, and Corporate Communications functions. A trusted voice in national science and innovation policy, he plays a key role in shaping Ireland’s strategic direction in emerging areas such as quantum, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and sustainability.
Ciarán represents Ireland on high-level fora including the UK-led Expert Panel for the International Scientific Report on the Safety of Advanced AI. He also contributes to national initiatives like the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, the Public Service Innovation Advisory Board, and the landmark public engagement campaign Creating Our Future.
Prior to his public sector leadership, Ciarán spent nearly two decades as a global management consultant, advising leading organisations across ICT, finance, pharma, retail, and more. His experience spans a variety of sectors executing large-scale transformation, innovation, and strategic initiatives. This global experience includes 8 years in the emerging markets based in Johannesburg and working across Sub-Saharan Africa.
He holds a BA in Science and a PhD in Quantum Physics from Trinity College Dublin.