Dr Seán Lacey received his BSc in Mathematical Sciences and Computing from the University of Limerick in 2003, followed by a PhD in Applied Mathematics in 2007. He has lectured at the Institute of Technology, Tralee; the University of Limerick; Shannon College of Hotel Management; Mary Immaculate College; and the National University of Ireland, Galway. In March 2011, he joined the Department of Mathematics at Cork Institute of Technology, where he served as Chair of the Research & Innovation Committee (2016–2020) and Chair of the Department of Mathematics Research Committee (2016–2021). He was also a member of the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Research Ethics Committee (2019–2021) and the National Research Ethics Committee (2023–2025). In 2022, he completed an MBA in Educational Leadership (International) at the Institute of Education, University College London.

In June 2021, Seán was promoted to Senior Lecturer at Munster Technological University (MTU, formerly Cork Institute of Technology). In October that year, he was elected the inaugural Chair of MTU’s Research Council. In January 2022, he was appointed as the University’s Research Integrity & Compliance Officer (RICO). In this role, Seán is responsible for fostering a research environment that upholds the highest standards of integrity, leading the development, implementation, and review of research-related policies and procedures. Working with relevant offices and postholders, he ensures that the University’s research training emphasises the importance of research integrity, promotes responsible conduct of research, discourages research misconduct, and raises awareness of the consequences of same.

Seán has played a pivotal role in shaping MTU’s research governance. He oversaw the creation of its Human Research Ethics Committee in 2022, and the Animal Research and Education Ethics Committee in 2025. He also served as co-lead for the European Commission-supported Network for Education and Research Quality, with a focus on Research Supervision and Leadership. 

With over 50 peer-reviewed publications in partnership with local, national, and international collaborators, Seán is an active researcher and mentor. He is currently supervising two PhD students and has successfully guided six MSc students to completion. His expertise in statistical analysis has made him the lead statistician on more than 40 industry collaboration studies, and he has designed and delivered over 70 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) workshops for industry professionals. 

Education

• BSc in Mathematical Sciences & Computing, September 1999 – May 2003, University of Limerick,
• PhD in Applied Mathematics (Models of Rimming Flows), September 2003 – October 2007, University of Limerick,
• MBA in Educational Leadership (International), September 2020 - October 2022, University College London.

Previous teaching

Lectured to Level 8, 9, and 10 students across a wide range of departments, including Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Mechanical, Biomedical and Manufacturing Engineering, and Marketing and International Business. Provided research support to Level 8 and 9 project students in the Faculty of Engineering and Science, focusing on the mathematical and statistical aspects of their research studies.

Membership 

Internal

• Academic Council, 2013 - present,
• Academic Council Executive Committee, 2016 - 2020,
• Department of Mathematics Research Committee (Chair), 2016 - 2021,
• Postgraduate Research Board, 2013 - present,
• Research & Innovation Committee, 2013 - 2016,
• Research & Innovation Committee (Chair), 2016 - 2020,
• Research Council (Chair), 2021 - 2023,

• Research & Innovation Committee, 2024 - present.

External

• National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Research Ethics Committee, 2019 - 2021,

• StudentSurvey.ie Analysis and Impact Group, 2021 - 2022,

• UK Research Integrity Office Community of Practice, 2022 - present,

• National Research Integrity Forum, 2022 - present,

• National Research Ethics Committee, 2023 - 2025,

• Network for Education and Research Quality, 2023 - present.

Research interests

The application of statistical methods to real-world data challenges, as well as leadership in research ethics, research integrity, and open science.

Professional profiles