Derry's Ryan Feeney appointed new board member for Centre for Cross Border Studies

Dr Ryan Feeney, Vice-President for Governance and External Affairs and Registrar at Queen’s University Belfast, has been appointed a Board Member at the Centre for Cross Border Studies in Armagh. 

The Faughanvale man holds a Doctorate in Governance specialising in political science and public policy from the National University of Ireland with a specific focus on the operations and functions of the Strand Two structures of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. He was the Executive Producer for an RTE documentary, The Agreement, on the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement negotiations and has been a Visiting Professor in Governance and Public Policy at Ulster University. 

Dr Feeney has organised and curated numerous major international conferences at Queen’s University, including the 20th and 25th anniversary events for the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. He is currently leading the organisation of the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils’ Global Innovation Summit in November 2024, on the theme of Advancing Global Sustainability and Economic Inclusion. 

Ryan is the former Director of Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility and Head of Public Engagement at Queen's University. He was Director of Strategic Communications and Engagement at the Police Service of Northern Ireland from 2018 to 2021, where he was responsible for civic and political engagement, media relations, and digital and creative services.  

An independent member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board from 2011-2018, Ryan was the lead for Human Rights and Professional Standards and the Vice-Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.  

Peter Osborne, Chair of the Centre for Cross Border Studies, said: “We’re delighted that Ryan has joined the Centre for Cross Border Studies. He brings a wealth of experience and skills in political science, governance, strategic communications and community engagement.

"Ryan has extensive knowledge of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and I’m confident he will make an excellent contribution to the work of the Centre as we look to the next 25 years.” 

Ryan added: “It is a privilege to join the Board of the Centre for Cross Border Studies. The work of the Centre is vital to promoting research, collaboration, and reconciliation, and I look forward to supporting the excellent team and their strategy to enhance social and economic cohesion across the island of Ireland.”