Maynooth University leads discussion on advancing gender equality in Brussels for International Women’s Day 2024

Today, Maynooth University, recognised as an EU Gender Equality Champion, convened an event in Brussels focused on advancing gender equality in higher education leadership to mark International Women’s Day 2024. The event, which focused especially in highlighting the potential of European Universities to promote the change, brought together senior female leaders, including Aingeal O’Donoghue, Ambassador of Ireland to the Permanent Representation to the European Union, Eeva Leinonen, President of Maynooth University, Professor Pilar Aranda Ramírez, former Rector of the University of Granada and Professor Dorothy Kelly, Arqus Coordinator, to discuss best practices and policy implementation across Europe.

“In a year marked by European elections, it’s important to highlight the transformative impact of European policies, such as European University Alliances, in driving change. Moreover, ensuring continued progress in advancing gender equality in positions of leadership, both within higher education and beyond, remains crucial,” said Professor Eeva Leinonen, President of Maynooth University. 

“One of the outcomes of European University Alliances is a focused commitment to foster diversity, inclusiveness, and gender equality in higher education leadership, and tangible progress is being made. As a recipient of the EU Award for Gender Equality Champion, we’re committed to sharing our experiences and leveraging our participation in Arqus to drive progress,” she added.

The panel, moderated by Professor John O’Brennan, Jean Monnet Chair of European Integration at Maynooth, included Professor Pilar Aranda Ramírez, former Rector of the University of Granada, Spain, Professor Eeva Leinonen, President of Maynooth University, and Professor Dorothy Kelly, Coordinator of the Arqus European University Alliance, with additional remarks from Vanessa Debiais-Sainton, Head of Unit, Higher Education Policy, at the European Commission. Speakers shared their experiences and highlighted the importance of EU initiatives that support gender equality in higher education leadership.   

“Today’s event underscores the value of our collaboration within the Arqus Alliance,” said Dorothy Kelly, panellist and Coordinator of Arqus. “Together, we engage in the deep, rich learning of a multilateral alliance, to understand other perspectives and to learn from them. Arqus is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) as a core value across everything we do. This commitment is proving transformative, showing how education can shape society. Maynooth contributes complementary strengths to our Alliance, particularly in gender equality and inclusion, enhancing our collective efforts.”

In recent years, Ireland has made significant strides in addressing gender inequality in higher education leadership through its intersectional approach and multi-level state interventions. Since 2019, the number of female university Presidents has risen from zero to seven. Moreover, data from Ireland’s Higher Education Authority indicates a steady rise in the percentage of female professors, climbing from 24% in 2017 to 31% in 2022[1], surpassing the European average of 26.2%[2]. Ireland’s innovative approach has been acknowledged in European Union reports[3], positioning it as a role model in developing and implementing gender equality plans for catalyzing change[4].

In 2023, Maynooth received the EU Award for Gender Champion in the Newcomer category. The institution currently has 35% female professors, which is among the highest in Ireland. Additionally, the university secured four out of thirty (13%) national posts-to-date for the Senior Academic Leadership Initiative (SALI), aimed at promoting gender balance at senior levels. These posts are awarded based on demonstrated progress in advancing gender equality, especially in fields with historical underrepresentation of women. Maynooth also has a Vice President dedicated to leading organisational change through strategic initiatives in equality, diversity, inclusion, and interculturalism, as well as the expansion of access and widening participation programmes.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion is a key enabler of Maynooth’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2028. This commitment is further reinforced by strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing engagement, fostering partnerships, and promoting internationalization. As part of these efforts, Maynooth became a member of the Arqus European University Alliance in January 2023.

Maynooth’s strategic direction and active participation in Arqus build on its rich history of European engagement since the establishment of St Patrick’s College in 1795. Today, its European connections span multiple domains. Maynooth is involved in 53 research projects spanning the Horizon EU, Horizon 2020, and Erasmus Plus frameworks, collaborating with over 270 institutions in 31 countries. It plays an active role in the Jean Monnet Actions programme, fostering perspectives on EU integration, and boasts 140 study exchange partners through Erasmus Plus. Moreover, Maynooth hosts Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG), Ireland’s pioneering language testing service, and is the sole Irish member of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE).

The event closely aligns with Global Citizens 2030, Ireland’s Talent and Innovation Strategy for the internationalisation of the tertiary education system. It is particularly in keeping with Pillar Three: Global citizens in multi-national, multi-cultural and diverse workplaces, which highlights the European Universities initiative as a flagship effort, and Pillar Four: Enhanced European influence in education and research.

[1] Higher Education Authority (2022). Higher Education Institutional Profiles by Sex and Gender – December 2022. https://hea.ie/policy/gender/statistics/higher-education-institutional-staff-profiles-by-sex-and-gender-2022/

[2] European Commission (2021). She Figures 2021. https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/67d5a207-4da1-11ec-91ac-01aa75ed71a1

[3] European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Approaches to inclusive gender equality in research and innovation (R&I), Publications Office of the European Union, 2022, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2777/004694

[4] European Research Area and Innovation Committee (ERAC) (2021). Report by the ERAC Standing Working Group on Gender in Research and Innovation on Gender Equality Plans as a catalyst for change. https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-1202-2021-INIT/en/pdf

Media contact: Kat English, Strategic Communications Specialist, Maynooth University, kat.english@mu.ie, +353 86 8166970.

In the picture, from left to right: Professor Pilar Aranda Ramirez, former Rector, University of Granada, Spain; Professor Eeva Leinonen, President of Maynooth University, Ambassador Aingeal O’Donoghue, Ambassador of Ireland to the Permanent Representation to the EU, and Professor Dorothy Kelly, Arqus Coordinator.