RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has announced the appointment of Alison Boyle as Director of the University’s new public health gallery, the first of its kind in Ireland.

In her role as Gallery Director, she will be responsible for driving the vision and potential for RCSI’s pioneering public engagement initiative, through curated programme development.

Alison brings with her more than two decades of international experience in science communication and large-scale public engagement. She previously worked with the Science Museum in the UK, most recently as Keeper of Science Collections where she led a team of curators responsible for a collection that attracted millions of visitors each year through physical exhibitions and online content. She joins RCSI from Research Ireland where she was Programme Manager for Education and Public Engagement, overseeing a range of nationwide initiatives including Science Week.

RCSI’s innovative public health gallery will be a cornerstone of the University’s €95 million campus transformation project, located at 118 St Stephen’s Green, which will provide essential infrastructure for cutting-edge health sciences research, innovation, and community engagement.

Opening to the public in late 2025, the new public health gallery will offer a diverse range of programmes, workshops and exhibitions aimed at engaging the public with health sciences and medical research. The gallery underscores RCSI’s commitment to delivering on the third UN Sustainable Development Goal, to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages. Located at the new building's entrance, it will serve as a dynamic hub to foster meaningful dialogue on health and well-being, making medical knowledge accessible and engaging.

Empowering the public

Professor Fergal O’Brien, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, RCSI congratulated Alison on her appointment to the role: “I am delighted to welcome Alison Boyle as Director of the University’s new public health gallery. Alison’s track record in public engagement on the national and international stage has inspired millions through her leadership of innovative exhibitions spanning science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine. I look forward to working with her as she drives the development of the gallery and our ambitions to promoting public conversations about how to live long and healthy lives.”

Accepting her role as Gallery Director, Alison Boyle said: “In a world of misinformation, there has never been a more pivotal time to empower the public with accurate health information. The public health gallery at RCSI is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engage people in conversations about health research through creative, innovative, and artistic ways. In partnership with our stakeholders, I am looking forward to welcoming visitors to a dynamic and inviting space, reflecting RCSI’s strategic goal of innovating for a healthier future, along with our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

Addressing health concerns

Alison Boyle holds a PhD in Science and Technology Studies from UCL and an MSc in Science Communication from Imperial College London. She previously studied at the University of Galway.

The public gallery is an extension of RCSI’s longstanding commitment to public health education, building on the success of the RCSI MyHealth series, a flagship public engagement initiative launched over a decade ago.

The series, which transitioned online during the COVID-19 pandemic, has played a crucial role in addressing public health concerns and empowering individuals to take control of their health and well-being.