Orla Sheils
Orla Sheils is the vice-provost of Trinity College Dublin, known for her insights on higher education and student admissions processes. Recently, she expressed concerns regarding the implications of grade inflation and random selection methods used by third-level institutions for highly sought-after courses, describing it as a 'cruel' system for students receiving maximum points who still miss out on their desired programs.
Not in the pool (under ¢1).
Recent news mentions
Trinity College Dublin’s vice-provost Professor Orla Sheils expressed the view that, 'if used wisely, AI has the potential to democratise third-level education in ways that once felt impossible'.
We are lecturers in Trinity College Dublin. We see it as our responsibility to resist AI – The Irish Times
Ireland· 2025-09-04
Orla Sheils, Trinity’s vice-provost, commented on the fairness of the selection process for students with equal marks.
student who got maximum Leaving Cert points loses out on course over random selection – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-08-31Trinity vice-provost Orla Sheils previously described random selection as a 'cruel arbiter'.
Students angry after top-performers lose out on places due to ‘cruel’ random selection – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-08-27
Trinity’s vice-provost Orla Sheils described random selection as a 'cruel arbiter' and commented on the effects of grade inflation.
Random selection used for some 25 high-demand courses in round one – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-08-27Professor Orla Sheils is vice-provost/chief academic officer and deputy president of Trinity College Dublin.
From personalised tutoring to improved accessibility, why AI can democratise higher education – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-08-25
Trinity College Dublin’s vice-provost, Orla Sheils, described the process as 'cruel'.
Grades deflate as H1s make up 12% of higher-level exam results – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-08-22
