Dear colleagues,
As not only President of this wonderful institution but also as chairperson of the Athena Swan EDI Steering Committee, I am exceptionally proud to let you know that UL is the first institution in the Irish Higher Education Sector to receive a prestigious Silver Athena Swan Institution Award. In addition, the Kemmy Business School (KBS) is also to receive a Silver Faculty Award, the first business school in Ireland to do so, marking their commitment to embedding the principles of Athena Swan through transformative actions.
Aligning our human rights, equality, diversity and inclusion objectives to our strategic and sustainability goals ensures that the core values of equity, inclusivity and diversity are integral to the work of the institution not an ‘add on’. More than this, I have seen how these values have been embraced in UL to create a working and learning culture that empowers all staff and students to reach their full potential.
92% of our academic faculties, schools and departments are recipients of Athena Swan Bronze Awards, and this is down to the on-going work that the many Athena Swan/EDI committees undertake throughout the University, supporting not just these successful applications but also our ambitious plans for the future.
My heartfelt congratulations to the UL Athena Swan Steering Committee Members 2022, Dr Marie Connolly, who led the institution application and her team Michael O’Brien and Maureen Keogh; and to the Chair and Co-Chair of the KBS EDI committee, Dr Caroline Murphy and Professor Finbarr Murphy and their team on their successful silver application. Special thanks too must go to the members of the working groups and the chairs who contributed greatly to the successful submission:
- Supporting Researchers Working Group: Professor Norelee Kennedy (chair) / Professor Seán Arkins (co-chair)
- Career Development and Supports (PMSS) Working Group: Ms Ursula Mullane (chair)/ Mr Peter Reilly (co-chair)
- Organisation Culture Working Group (Professor Finbarr Murphy)
- Career Development and Supports (Academic) Working Group (Dr David Coughlan)
- Inclusivity Working Group (Dr Lydia Bracken/Professor Shane Kilcommins)
- Survey Design Working Group (Professor Donald Truxillo)
- Grainne O’Donovan Technical Writer
- Leticia Scheidt and Gemma McCarthy (Survey Analysis)
While our commitment to gender equality is long standing, we know that there remain significant challenges to be faced to address gender equality across all levels and, very importantly, intersectional inequality.
I am personally committed to fully integrating Human Rights, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion into our structures, actions, and culture and to dedicating resources to achieve this end. My vision for UL is to rebalance social progress within environmental constraints and become a truly egalitarian university.
For now, however, let us enjoy what we have achieved thus far. Once again, thanks and congratulations to everyone who has contributed to our Athena Swan success, and to the culture of equality, diversity and inclusion in UL.
Have a very happy Easter and an enjoyable long weekend,
Professor Kerstin Mey
Uachtarán / President
Oifig an Uachtaráin / Office of the President
Ollscoil Luimnigh / University of Limerick
T +353 (0) 61 202020 E : president@ul.ie
Gréasán / Web: www.ul.ie