The academics were among 28 new Members of the Royal Irish Academy admitted for exceptional contribution to the sciences, humanities and social sciences as well as to public service.

Professor Eileen Murphy, Prof Roger Woods, Prof Marco Borghesi and Prof Mauro Paternostro from the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences and Prof Anne-Marie McAlinden from the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Queen’s were admitted at a ceremony in Dublin on Friday 26 May. 

• Marco Borghesi is a Professor of Plasma Physics at Queen’s and internationally recognised for his pioneering work in laser–plasma interactions. He's the recipient of major awards from the American and European Physical Societies.
• Anne Marie McAlinden is Professor of Law at Queen’s and a world expert on sexual offending. Her award-winning books focus on risk, reintegration, and child sexual-abuse.
• Eileen Murphy is Professor of Archaeology at Queen’s, specialising in osteoarchaeology and childhood archaeology. She is the founder/editor of the Childhood in the Past journal.
• Mauro Paternostro is Professor of Quantum Information Science at Queen’s and is an international leader in quantum mechanics and technologies, known for advancing quantum optomechanics.
• Roger Woods is a Professor of Digital Systems at Queen’s and best-known for innovations in computer hardware and co-founding a successful tech company. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

The 2025 RIA cohort also includes Sir David Sterling, former Head of the NI Civil Service; and Linda Ervine MBE, manager of Turas, the centre of excellence for Irish language based in east Belfast - both of whom hold honorary doctorates from Queen's.

There are 688 Members of the Royal Irish Academy in total. Past members have included the poets Seamus Heaney and W B Yeats; and physicist and philosopher Erwin Schrödinger.

Congratulating the new members from Queen's this year, President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer said:

"I warmly congratulate our five Queen's academics on this great honour. I am delighted that my highly esteemed colleagues have been recognised by the highly prestigious Royal Irish Academy. To have so many appointed in the one intake is praise indeed." 

Professor Pat Guiry, President of the Royal Irish Academy said:

"We are delighted to welcome the newly elected Members of the Royal Irish Academy. Our mission is to recognise and foster academic excellence, and to create, curate and share knowledge for the good of society. Your election today embodies this mission, and your insights and achievements will enrich the work of the Academy as we continue to lead trusted and independent dialogue and analysis across the island for the benefit of all."

The Royal Irish Academy is an all-island independent forum of peer-elected experts. Membership of the Academy is the highest academic honour in Ireland.

The Academy has been honouring Ireland’s leading contributors to the world of learning since its establishment in 1785. Those elected are entitled to use the designation ‘MRIA’ after their name.

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Media inquiries to Una Bradley u.bradley@qub.ac.uk