Release Date 31 October 2014

Dr Claire Heffernan has recently returned from the renowned Bellagio Center in Northern Italy after being awarded with a Rockefeller Foundation Academic Writing Residency.

The prestigious programme allows internationally recognised academics and artists to conduct focussed and goal-oriented work on topics of global importance in a serene setting. It also offers unparalleled opportunities to establish new connections with fellow residents from a stimulating array of disciplines and geographies.

Past awardees include poet and award-winning author Maya Angelou, US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and P.K. Pachauri, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Claire was chosen for the residency by an international panel of academics chosen for their breadth of experience and knowledge in a variety of disciplines.

Dr Heffernan, Director of the University's Livestock Development Group, said: "Being in Bellagio was an inspiring experience. I was with a group of 15 global decision-makers and thought leaders ranging from academics recognised as the top in their respective fields, to politicians working on topics as diverse as human rights and land issues in the Amazon, to Emmy-award-winning documentary film-makers and some of the greatest artists of our time.

"I presented my work on Climate Change Syndemics and as an outcome I have been asked to present this work to the Arctic Council as they grapple with issues of bio-security and infectious disease control. I am also grateful for the opportunity to host a forthcoming conference at the Foundation using the conference facilities at Bellagio on my topic."