GendeResearchIreland · Exploring gender equality in Irish higher education: Qualitative case-study research into the response to, and process of Athena SWAN
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2018-09-01 → 2023-01-01
- EU contribution
- €187,866
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
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Results in brief
Exploring gender equality in Irish higher education: Qualitative case-study research into the response to, and process of Athena SWAN
The Action ‘Exploring gender equality in Irish higher education: Qualitative case-study research into the response to, and process of Athena SWAN — GendeResearchIreland’ explored the process of embedding gender equality in higher education in Ireland through the implementation of the Athena SWAN Ireland Charter. The aim of the research study conducted as part of the Action sought to uncover the process of change the Charter seeks to institutionalise, by exploring the experience of university staff committed to working on the implementation of Charter actions, their perception of the role and position of the Charter in driving change within the institution, and their understanding of the on-going process of Charter implementation, by focusing on the concrete actions the staff are engaged. The study was focused on the subjective experiences of this group of university staff. The topic of gender equality and specifically tackling gender inequality through institution-wide programmes, such as the Athena SWAN Ireland Charter, is vital because society needs the higher education sector to be a place of equality and fairness. It is within this environment that future generations can flourish within an educational experience that is fair and just, led by educators and researchers working in a fair and just space. The objectives of this Maria Skłodowska Curie Action (MSCA) have been to a) develop a theoretical framework for understanding the impact of gender equality interventions (namely, the Athena SWAN Ireland Charter) in the higher education sector; b) examine the nature of the ongoing process of Athena SWAN application and actions, focusing on the nuances and dynamics of how the process is managed, driven and understood by those involved at all levels of governance and academic staff; and c) to understand the role, position and perception of Athena SWAN Ireland Charter within three selected universities in Ireland. The MSCA Individual Fellowship has fostered the career development of the individual researcher. Conclusions of the action include the completed research study with two academic journal articles and one media piece; one completed fellowship project in total and dissemination, communication and public engagement actions completed with presentations at conferences, hosting two symposia in UCC, three workshops delivered in secondary schools and one short video.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
It has been shown that gender equality interventions in the higher education sector are vital in addressing career advancement challenges facing female academics and researchers, in particular the higher up the career ladder researchers progress. This proposed research would explore a gender equality intervention, Athena SWAN, which seeks to encourage commitment to advancing the careers of women in science. It has been shown that barriers to career advancement are mainly due to institutional factors, rather than individual ones, such as career drive or skill. Strengthening research and innovation in Europe, with respect to encouraging gender diversity to support science excellence and relevance, is an identified priority of Horizon 2020. This proposed study would explore the response to, and processes of, the Athena SWAN programme in one European country, Ireland. With a number of EC funded projects in Europe, and research growing, the time is ripe for conducting this research and informing the developing theoretical and policy context for gender equality in higher education in Europe. Athena SWAN is a new intervention in Ireland (since 2015) and this novelty in the process, alongside the context of change within institutions, would elicit a wealth of qualitative data findings that would be generalisable across European institutions. Given my expertise in qualitative research methods and participation in a FP7 gender equality project, I am in the best position to restart my career in this field of inquiry, within a highly stimulating and renowned social science research environment. Supporting this original research would result in a wealth of useful findings for peer researchers, the policy sector and the wider research and innovation community in Europe, as well as engaging with the public. I would seek to promote the Fellowship with a zeal reflecting the sentiment of the extraordinary woman in science who inspired this programme, Dr. Marie Skłodowska-Curie.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK - NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, CORK · CorkCoordinatorIreland
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union