(08.03.2022) DIAS has a strong tradition of promoting women researchers and their work. The Institute is lucky to have some fantastic female scholars – both past and present – who have achieved remarkable success in their research areas.

This year, to celebrate International Women’s Day, DIAS is holding a series of events and activities, to highlight female researchers and their work at DIAS.

Some the activities taking place include:

• The Life and Work of Cecile O’Rahilly: Dr Síle Ní Mhurchú, UCC will deliver an online lecture exploring the life and work of Celtic language scholar Cecile O’Rahilly, who was the first woman professor of Celtic Studies at DIAS in 1956. The lecture has been published on YouTube and is viewable on https://youtu.be/gT857–TQ_g
• Girls into Geoscience: Female geophysics researchers at DIAS will deliver an interactive online talk to schools, universities, and groups of young women, who may be interested in a career in geoscience – with the hopes of inspiring them to follow a career in science someday. The event is at 4pm today IWD, register via https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/career-paths-in-geoscience-with-dias-girls-into-geoscience-ireland-tickets-288661132217
• A spotlight on DIAS women researchers: Throughout the week, DIAS female researchers – past and present – and their work, will be highlighted by the School of Theoretical Physics and the Astrophysics section, on DIAS social media platforms.

Commenting today, CEO and Registrar of DIAS, Dr Eucharia Meehan, said: “DIAS is committed to supporting gender equality in research and ensuring women researchers reach their full academic potential. Last year, we were delighted to appoint Professor Caitriona Jackman as the first ever senior professor of physics at the Institute and we look forward to appointing more women to senior roles in the years ahead.

“Despite this, there is evidence across the research community – both domestically and internationally – that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on women researchers, particularly early-career researchers. Studies have indicated that women researchers with children or carer roles struggled most to balance their research commitments during the pandemic. This is an issue the research community must address as we emerge from the pandemic. As we mark International Women’s Day today, we are delighted to highlight and celebrate the work of our women researchers at DIAS, and acknowledge and thank them for their commitment to the invaluable work that they do.”