High-profile academic joins Limerick college

Mary Immaculate College has appointed Prof Jane Stadler as its new Dean of Arts, effective June 2. Stadler previously served as Dean of Graduate Research at the University of New England in Australia, where she led doctoral education and research development for 11 years at the University of Queensland. Her academic career spans over two decades, including roles as director of research in higher degrees and membership on the Queensland Human Rights Commission’s academic advisory board. Stadler is a recognized scholar in media and cultural studies, with four authored books, over 50 research papers, and funding from the Australian Research Council. She has held visiting professorships at the University of California, Berkeley, and Hong Kong Baptist University, and delivered 30 keynote conference speeches. Her teaching excellence has been honored with five university awards, including the Australian Learning and Teaching Council’s National Award for Teaching Excellence, the highest distinction in Australian higher education. In her new role, Stadler will oversee the Faculty of Arts at Mary Immaculate College, supporting innovation and student success. She expressed enthusiasm for joining the college’s ‘vibrant academic community,’ citing its commitment to teaching, research, and creativity. Prof Niamh Hourigan, the college’s vice-president of academic affairs, praised Stadler’s ‘exceptional breadth of academic leadership’ and international research experience, emphasizing her potential to strengthen the college’s academic ambitions and global profile. Stadler’s appointment follows her extensive contributions to Australian higher education, where she balanced senior leadership with direct engagement in research and teaching. Her arrival marks a strategic addition to Mary Immaculate College’s efforts to expand its international standing in arts and humanities education.