DrDeclan Downey

PhD Cambridge (1994), member of Queens' College Cambridge (1989); Lecturer in Modern European and Japanese Diplomatic History in the School of History, University College Dublin, since 1995; Co-Coordinator of the BCL Degree in Law with History Programme since September, 2010; In 2009, he became the first Irish citizen to be elected to membership of the Spanish Royal Academy of History (founded 1733). His extensive publications and leading roles in major international research projects have been recognized with international honours and awards including the Austrian Order of Merit (2003), the Spanish Royal Order of Isabel la Católica (2008), the Japanese Ambassadorial Commendation (2010), and the Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation (2020).

Member of the Board of Trustees of the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle, (April 2012-May 2017); Member of the Executive Committee of the Council for Hispano-Irish Historical Studies, since March 2011 & Co-Secretary since October 2015; Member of the Scientific Committee of the Spanish University Review: Revista Espacio, Tiempo y Forma: Historia Moderna, since 2011; Co-director and co-editor with Prof. Ciaran Brady (Trinity College, Dublin.), of the 'Wild Geese Regiments Database Project ' Irish officers and soldiers in the Spanish and Austrian Services c.1560-1810, This is a joint T.C.D.-U.C.D. research project funded by the Higher Education Authority; Co-Director of the Irish in Spain and the Iberian Trans-Atlantic World International Research Project; External Advisor on Japanese-EU Relations, Directorate General for External Relations of the European Commission, Brussels, since 2000; Director of Ireland's EU Presidency Cultural Project Conference: Eminent Europeans of Irish Origin. The Impact of Ireland in Europe: An Historical Perspective, Royal Irish Academy ( 21 & 22 February 2013); Former Acting Director of the U.C.D. Centre for Asian Studies (from June 2000 to December 2003); Since September 1995, Dr. Downey has held administrative roles such as Director of Examinations, Coordinator, Rapporteur and Editor of the Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement Assessment and Report on the UCD Combined Departments of History (2002-'3), Director of Tutorials, Director of International Exchanges in History, Director of Postgraduate Studies in Early Modern History; Advisor to the Asian Strategy Committee, Dept. of An Taoiseach, (Prime Minister), Dublin (2000-2004); Member of the Irish Business & Employers Confederation (I.B.E.C. ) Asia Forum for the maximisation of business, educational and cultural links with Asia (2000-2004).