The fellowship connects Irish and Canadian academics, researchers and thinkers online to nurture and develop collaborations. Beacon fellows deliver an online lecture that is recorded and posted on the Ireland Canada University Foundation and also gives a series of smaller online events.

Mike, who is the Faculty of Science Chair in Sustainable Silicone Polymers, was made a Distinguished University Professor in 2017 and has been a visiting professor at six universities in Ireland, Australia, France and the Netherlands.