SETU is committed to a coordinated, ethical, and human-centred approach to GenAI across teaching, learning, research, and university operations.
As AI technologies continue to evolve rapidly, our focus is not simply on adopting new tools, but on ensuring that their use is thoughtful, transparent, and aligned with the values of the university. Through clear governance structures, cross-university collaboration, and ongoing staff and student engagement, SETU aims to support responsible innovation while protecting the quality and integrity of the educational experience.
Our governance structure brings together academic leadership, professional services, students, researchers, and specialist working groups to support responsible AI integration across the university. This collaborative approach helps ensure clear communication, consistency, and shared understanding as AI technologies continue to evolve.
Through this work, SETU aims to:
- Support staff and student AI literacy
- Guide responsible and transparent AI use
- Enhance teaching, learning, and operations
- Ensure AI adoption aligns with the values of the university community
AI Governance at SETU
A coordinated, collaborative approach to responsible AI use across teaching, learning, research, and university operations.
Why Governance Matters
Artificial Intelligence presents significant opportunities for higher education while also introducing new ethical, legal and educational challenges.
SETU has adopted a coordinated governance structure to ensure that AI is implemented responsibly, consistently and collaboratively across the university.
Our Governance Model Supports
Strategic leadership
Clear institutional direction for AI-related activity.
Ethical and responsible AI use
Shared attention to responsible practice, risk, and accountability.
Staff and student engagement
Structures for consultation, feedback, and participation.
Capacity building
Professional development and support for confident use of AI.
Research and innovation
Guidance for research integrity, emerging technologies, and funding opportunities.
Policy and quality assurance
Institutional guidance, compliance, and strategic planning.
At the centre of this approach is collaboration rather than isolated initiatives.
Governance Structure
Academic Council
Provides oversight and strategic direction for AI at SETU.
Academic Lead for GenAI
Leads the university's academic strategy for GenAI and coordinates institutional AI initiatives.
Operations Lead for GenAI
Supports AI operations and systems across the university with a focus on efficiency and productivity.
Steering Committee
Provides strategic guidance and coordination across the university.
Working Groups and Boards
Research Working Group
Purpose
Explores opportunities and provides guidance for responsible AI in research.
Focus areas
- Research integrity
- Responsible AI use
- Funding opportunities
- Emerging technologies
- Research guidelines
Library Working Group
Purpose
Supports AI literacy, resources and information services across the university.
Focus areas
- Information literacy
- AI literacy
- Library guidance
- Student support
Student Working Group
Purpose
Ensures that the student voice informs the development of AI policy, guidance and practice across the university.
Focus areas
- Student engagement
- AI literacy
- Student experience
- Communication
- Feedback and consultation
Capacity Building Working Group
Purpose
Builds staff confidence, capability and AI literacy through coordinated professional development.
Focus areas
- Staff development
- AI capability building
- Workshops and events
- Communities of practice
- Resource development
PMSS Working Group
Purpose
Explores opportunities for AI to improve efficiency, productivity and service delivery across Professional, Management and Support Services.
Focus areas
- Operational AI
- Process improvement
- Productivity
- Administrative innovation
- Staff capability
Guidelines and Strategy Working Group
Purpose
Develops and maintains the institutional policies, guidance and strategic frameworks that support responsible AI adoption across SETU.
Focus areas
- Institutional policy
- Governance
- Ethics
- Compliance
- Strategic planning
Science Faculty AI Board - Pilot
Purpose
Focuses on responsible AI integration within the Faculty of Science in collaboration with the Academic Lead for GenAI.
Focus areas
- Faculty-level AI implementation
- Local governance
- Academic engagement
- Evaluation and feedback
- Scalable practice
SETU Commitment
SETU is committed to a human-centred, ethical and inclusive approach to AI that enhances teaching, learning, research and university operations.
This governance structure ensures that responsibility for AI is shared across the institution through collaboration, transparency and continuous improvement.
Members of Steering Committee
- David Denieffe – Executive Sponsor and Chief Operations Office
- Dr Hazel Farrell – Chair of Steering Committee and Academic Lead for GenAI
- Thomas Aherne – Operations Lead for GenAI
- Ken McCarthy – Head of Centre for Academic Practice (CAP)
- Conor Phelan – Registrar Student Life and Learning
- Damien Raftery – CAP Carlow Campus
- David Kane – Deputy Librarian at SETU Waterford
- Daniel Fagan – SU Waterford
- Anthony Dwyer – Academic
- Prof Kim Murphy – Research Integrity and Compliance Officer
- Dr Yvonne Kavanagh – Director of Engineering, Research, and Innovation