Testimonials

  • Sinead is exceptional -- at once level-headed, forward-thinking, strategic, efficient, reliable, honest, intelligent, and humble. She is deeply empathetic without compromising her strengths and, above all, she has a wonderful sense of humor. All of these characteristics add up to an expert across varied international fields who can conceive, build, implement, and lead complex projects across cultures, languages, and timezones. It's difficult to think of someone more accomplished and capable of doing pretty much anything put in front of her.

    — Sarah Willcox, Deputy Director, Scholars at Risk Network

  • Sinead played a pivotal role in the establishment of Germany’s first support program for at-risk scholars: The Philipp Schwartz Initiative, hosted by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. She provided invaluable guidance in designing the programme. As a highly skilled and diplomatic representative of the network, Sinead successfully engaged a wide range of stakeholders—from policymakers and university leaders to representatives of funding organizations—convincing them of the urgent need to support at-risk academics. Whether speaking on panels, delivering keynote addresses, or engaging in one-on-one discussions, she navigated each setting with exceptional ease and effectiveness. What sets Sinead apart is her rare ability to address both the practical, day-to-day challenges faced by at-risk scholars and the broader strategic questions that shape international policy. Thanks to her intelligence, insight, and unwavering commitment, the importance of scholar rescue initiatives gained recognition at the European level.

    — Dr. Barbara Sheldon, Director, Research & Innovation, University of Bonn, Germany

  • Sinead is wonderful to work with. She is very knowledgeable, thorough and thoughtful. Her organisational skills, clear communication, and sense of commitment are second to none. Her professionalism and collegiality make working together, even on complex and time-pressured projects, a rewarding experience.

    — Professor Rory O’Connell, Professor of Human Rights & Constitutional Law, Ulster University, Belfast.

  • I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Sinead for over a decade, originally through her work with Scholars at Risk where she successfully established and led the organisation's European office. Most recently, I was fortunate to have Sinead's assistance on an important project - this time in her capacity as a consultant. I was struck afresh by her meticulous and thoughtful work, her attention to detail, her ability to reliably meet challenging deadlines, her willingness to go beyond the call of duty, and her graciousness and good humour throughout the process.

    — Dr. Chandana Mathur, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Maynooth University, Ireland

  • I warmly commend Sinead as an effective and collaborative colleague, and a tireless advocate in support of at-risk scholars and academics, and of academic freedom. In her role as Director of SAR Europe she contributed hugely to the overall success of the Inspireurope and Inspireurope+ bids, mastering all the intricacies of the complex EU bidding and report-writing process. She is someone who can see the big picture clearly while also keeping a firm grip on all the vitally important small details. In all our dealings, she was positive and open, in a way that inspires confidence. I wish her every success in her consultancy role, helping others to achieve great results as she did with us.

    — Stephen Wordsworth CMG LVO, Chancellor, Cardiff Metropolitan University. 2012-2025 CEO of Cara, the Council for At-Risk Academics.

  • I’ve had the pleasure to know Sinead since 2010, when she helped us set up a National Section of Scholars at Risk in Norway. Sinead has natural authority and presence, and her commitment in the field of higher education and human rights is legendary. She built SAR-Europe to be an important European actor in the field, and secured funding for important projects, while still having an eye for details and for all of us. Sinead cares about people and has a great sense of humor and I give her my warmest recommendations in her future assignments.

    — Karen-Lise Knudsen, Senior Advisor, University of Agder, Norway

  • Sinead has played a key role in the development of the Scholars at Risk network in Switzerland. Thanks to her strategic vision and daily commitment, we managed to significantly expand the national network of member institutions and put the question of academics at risk on the top of the agenda, providing higher education institutions with practical solutions to face those new challenges. Thank you, Sinead!

    — Olivier Vincent, Deputy Director, International Office, University of Geneva