Ninth Level Ireland

“In Ireland for the first time, after 429 years, the male dominance of the Presidency of Irish public universities has been shattered. Women have been appointed to head up four of the 10 public universities (University of Limerick – Prof Kerstin Mey; Munster Technological University, Prof Maggie Cusack; Maynooth University, Prof Eeva Leoinen; and one of the three women in contention in Trinity College Dublin) …” (more)

[Pat O’Connor, Irish Examiner, 28 March]

“Sir, – It comes as no surprise that ‘Wealthy areas keep strong advantage in accessing third-level places’ (News, January 8th). Despite the introduction of ‘free’ second-level education in 1967 and the abolition of third-level fees in 1995, access to third-level education in Ireland continues to be contingent on socio-economic status …” (more)

[Letters, Irish Times, 13 January]

“Our societies as we knew them, will never be the same again. Adapting to tragic and stressful circumstances, there is vast opportunity for businesses and organisations to improve, innovate and progress. From the leaving certificate debacle and classist connotations surrounding predicted grades, to third-level students sitting exams from home, question marks have arose around the Irish education system …” (more)

[Niamh Elliott-Sheridan, University Times, 22 September]

“The enduring ‘baby penalty’: Having children is exciting but challenging. Economic uncertainty, environmental anxiety, and lower fertility rates are among the contributing factors that lead many to opt out of parenthood. Babies have also been damaging to women’s careers from time immemorial, especially in traditionally male-dominated fields …” (more)

[Enrica Maria Ferrara, IFUT, 8 July]

“The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) in its submission to the public consultation of the Citizen’s Assembly on Gender Equality said: ‘The Commission is also concerned about the ongoing lack of gender balance in senior academic posts in Ireland’s higher educational institutions, where there are currently no female university Presidents/Provosts, and where only 24% of Professorships are held by women …'” (more)

[IFUT, 8 April]

“Trinity is to push ahead with plans to submit an application for an Athena SWAN silver medal by 2022, according to the College’s top gender equality official, despite an admission at College Board level that attempts so far have yielded ‘disappointing’ results …” (more)

[Sárán Fogarty, University Times, 25 February]

“A chara, – The creation of 75 women-only professorships is a textbook example of how members of the higher socio-economic classes who have connections and influence in political and media circles can bend the the Government into making irrational and fiscally irresponsible decisions to their advantage, with all parties assuming the taxpayer will foot the substantial bill …” (more)

[Dave Slater, Irish Times, 25 July]

“Sir, – In their analysis of the Senior Academic Leadership Initiative (SALI), Muireann Lynch and Selina McCoy urge consideration of its ‘unintended consequences’ (‘Will female-only professorships make the difference?’, Opinion and Analysis, July 15th). One such consequence, they argue, is that ‘professors generally do less teaching than lecturers, so the visibility of women to students may best be improved by gender balance at all levels’ …” (more)

[Niall Madden, Irish Times, 24 July]

“Sir, – In examining the new female-only professorships scheme, Muireann Lynch and Selina McCoy argue that we would be better off tackling gender inequality by changing the Stem (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) stereotypes that shape education and career choices from childhood (‘Will female-only professorships make the difference?’, Opinion and Analysis, July 15th) …” (more)

[Rachel Hilliard, Irish Times, 19 July]

“Gender balance in higher education institutions is on the way, but not fast enough. This, in a nutshell, is the argument for female-only professorships. But will they make a difference? The recent report of the gender equality taskforce concluded that, based on current trends, it could take 20 years to reach a situation were 40% of professors are women …” (more)

[Muireann Lynch and Selina McCoy, Irish Times, 15 July]

“In the almost two years since Mary Mitchell O’Connor became the country’s first Minister for Higher Education, it can hardly be disputed that gender equality has been the issue to dominate her time in office. From establishing a dedicated Gender Equality Taskforce to creating 45 new senior posts in higher education institutes that are gender-specific, Mitchell O’Connor has been insistent in her commitment to championing women in academia, and to ushering in a new era of gender equality in higher education …” (more)

[University Times, 30 June]

“I’ve been so busy over the last week or so that I forgot to mention that on Friday (21st June) the Minister of State for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor announced a new scheme to improve the gender balance in senior academic roles in Irish universities …” (more)

[In the Dark, 27 June]

“Summer solstice 2019: the day higher education in Ireland changed forever. I officially opened the call to higher education institutions to apply for new professorial and senior lecturer posts – gender-specific posts. The third-level sector in Ireland is underpinned by gender inequality, gender discrimination and instructional bias …” (more)

[Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Independent, 27 June]

“This week saw a sober assessment of the impact – both positive but also depressingly negative – of schemes to improve gender equality. As the Athena Swan Review Group wrestles with how to improve their own awards, it is important to learn from mistakes as well as successes. In years gone by I spoke up for Athena Swan …” (more)

[Athene Donald’s Blog, 22 June]

“The first of up to 45 women-only professorships aimed at tacking gender inequality in higher education are due to be made before the end of this year. Minister of State for higher education Mary Mitchell O’Connor on Friday officially opened applications to the what is called the ‘senior academic leadership initiative’ …” (more)

[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 21 June]

“Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are invited to submit applications for funding under the Senior Academic Leadership Initiative (SALI) Call 2019, in line with the requirements set out in the Call for Applications. This Call is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills (DES) …” (more, download)

[HEA, 21 June]

“The opening up of women-only posts in Irish higher education – which takes place from today – is not about keeping men out of high-powered positions, said Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor. ‘But there is no reason why women should continue to play second fiddle when it comes to seniority’, she added …” more)

[Katherine Donnelly, Independent, 21 June]

“The IUA welcomes the announcement of the Call for Proposals for the Senior Academic Leadership Initiative (SALI). Our member universities are enthusiastic about engaging in this positive initiative to address the gender imbalance at senior academic level …” (more)

[IUA, 21 June]

“With women making up just 24% of professors in Irish universities, new gender-specific academic posts are to be launched to achieve diversity at a senior level in the third level sector. A call for applications to a new ‘Senior Academic Leadership’ initiative has been announced this Friday, which aims to accelerate gender balance among senior positions within Irish higher level institutions …” (more)

[Jess Casey, Irish Examiner, 20 June]

“As someone who studies academic organizations and their efforts to encourage equality, I believe that dedicated programmes to address inequalities are essential. I also worry they might not be designed to provide support to the very people who need it …” (more)

[Charikleia Tzanakou, Nature, 18 June]