W100 Representative
Abi KellyDirector of International Engagement and External Relations
Abi Kelly joined RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences in 2020 as Director of International Engagement and External Relations with responsibility for the Office for Institutional Research and Planning.
Her role is to support the University’s reputation raising strategy and build its brand among key stakeholders. A key ambition for RCSI is to be recognised in the Top 200 of universities in the world.
Prior to her role with RCSI, Abi spent 8 years at Newcastle University (UK) where she was Executive Director of Corporate Affairs managing the external profile of this Russell Group university. She also led communications for the N8 Research Partnership, a collaborative mission group of the eight research-intensive universities in the North of England.
She has spent 28 years working in the Public Relations industry in the UK, including roles in local and regional government, and as a PR Consultant for private-sector clients including Whitbread and Nissan.
Founded as the national training body for surgery in Ireland, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has been at the forefront of healthcare education since its establishment in 1784. As an independent, not-for-profit institution, we chart our own course in the pursuit of excellence in human healthcare.
Today we are an innovative, world-leading international health sciences education and research institution with undergraduate and postgraduate schools and faculties across the health sciences spectrum. We are home to numerous healthcare institutes as well as leading research centres driving pioneering breakthroughs in human health.
A deep professional responsibility to enhance human health through endeavour, innovation and collaboration in education, research and service inform all that we do. We welcome students and researchers into programmes of academic excellence and a lifelong community of colleagues that is clinically led, nurturing and supportive to enable them to realise their potential to serve our global patient community.
The Latest from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
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Thank you to those who joined our #RCSIMyHealth conversation about cannabis and young minds yesterday.
We are grateful to our panel of experts and partner support groups. Special thanks to @LauraStack who generously shared her family’s story.
More: https://tinyurl.com/2bu9b6ux
Prof Mary Rose Sweeney @RCSI_FacNurMid is the co-lead on a new study that underlines the need for individualised support for autistic pupils in schools.
The report also highlights the vital role of pupil-teacher relationships.
Read more ➡️ https://www.dcu.ie/instituteofeducation/news/2025/mar/individualised-supports-autistic-pupils-primary-and-secondary
#RCSIdiscover
“I am not trying to scaremonger here. I am keen that people who use drugs are treated with compassion. But, in terms of this product, it’s very potent.” Professor Colin O’Gara says says that the effects of cannabis are terrifying.
#RCSIMyHealth
RCSI’s Professor Mary Cannon notes the HSE Drugs and Alcohol helpline: 1800 459 459.
“If you ring them, no matter where you are in the country, someone will find support services local to you." The services are for those living with addiction and their loved ones.
#RCSIMyHealth
“We’re in a society where cannabis use is normalised." Professor Colin O’Gara, Consultant Psychiatrist and Head of Addiction Services, St John of God Hospital addresses the range of negative impacts experienced by people who use cannabis.
#RCSIMyHealth
Clinical Investigator with @Futureneuro_ie, Professor Norman Delanty describes how one Irish hospital is regularly seeing young people presenting at its ED with cannabis-induced hyperemesis (severe vomiting).
#RCSIMyHealth
Professor Mary Cannon, RCSI Professor of Psychiatric Epidemiology and Youth Mental Health outlines how cannabis negatively affects young people’s school experience and their ability to connect with friends. And notes how this is a crucial time in their development.
#RCSIMyHealth
“If I knew then what I knew now, I could have saved him. But it is not too late to save any of your children.” Laura Stack finishes her talk as part of our RCSI MyHealth event, ‘Cannabis and young minds: What parents and families should know'.
#RCSIMyHealth @laurastack
“He became verbally abusive. He would disappear for weeks. […] We became afraid of him.” Laura Stack shares the story of her late son Johnny who died by suicide at age 19 during an incident caused by his use of cannabis.
#RCSIMyHealth
Developing students tobecome ‘world citizens’
RCSI has extensive international partnerships including:
Clinical/research elective agreements and Erasmus partnerships with an extensive list of international institutions including Johns Hopkins University, McMaster University and University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Joint undergraduate Pharmacy programme with Soochow University, China
Transnational education operations/partnerships in Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain), Malaysia (RCSI UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC) and PU-RCSI School of Medicine) and Dubai (RCSI Dubai)
5% of research output produced through international collaboration with 1,758 institutions worldwide (Source: SciVal 2013-2017 accessed February 2019)
Mission and vision
- To educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health
- Respect
- Collaboration
- Scholarship
- Innovation
At the global forefront of pioneering medical research
18,000
alumni, practicing in 97 countries
€35.1m
Research grant income 2018
The mission of RCSI’s research strategy is to improve human health through translational research: clinical, laboratory-based and health service research informed by bedside problems, and societal and global health challenges. We promote innovative research that leads to improved diagnostics, therapeutics and devices; tackles important healthcare delivery issues; informs policy and clinical practice and enhances the quality of education of healthcare professionals.
RCSI is developing research centres in areas of excellence and critical mass, focused on clinical and patient-centred research:
- Cancer
- Regenerative Medicine
- Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders
- Surgical Science and Practice
- Population Health and Health Services
- Vascular Biology
Become a Member
The World 100 Reputation Network is a group of the best universities in the world, delivering research that enhances reputation and offering leaders the chance to develop their own careers on a global stage. Members benefit from events and study tours, training, monthly media monitoring, and unique reputation research to provide institutional advantage.