SETU celebrates lecturers' recognition in Women in STEM awards
Dr Sheila Donegan
South East Technological University (SETU) is celebrating the success of two of its foremost academics on their success in this year's Women in STEM Awards.
Dr Sheila Donegan and Dr Amanda Barry received national recognition at the ceremony which was held in The Mansion House, in Dublin.
Dr Donegan, Lecturer in Chemistry and Director of the Calmast STEM Engagement Centre at SETU, was named winner of the ‘Women in STEM Award for Maths’, recognising her outstanding leadership and long-standing contribution to promoting mathematics across Ireland and beyond.
Dr Barry, Lecturer in the Department of Health and Sport Science at SETU, was also honoured as a nominee in the ‘Rising Star’ category, marking her as one of the country’s most promising advocates for STEM.
As the founder of Maths Week Ireland, Dr Donegan has had a transformative impact on how mathematics is perceived and celebrated. Through her leadership, Maths Week has reached an extraordinary 4.3 million pupils to date and has expanded internationally.
Her work has earned international recognition for science communication and has inspired countless girls and young women to pursue careers in mathematics and related fields.
Speaking about the award, Dr Sheila Donegan said: “It’s a huge honour to receive this award, but it really belongs to the thousands of teachers, students and volunteers who have helped make Maths Week such a success.
"When we started out, our goal was simply to show that maths can be creative, fun and relevant to everyone’s lives," she said.
"Seeing how attitudes have changed and how many young people - especially girls - are now embracing maths with confidence is deeply rewarding," she added. She expressed gratitude to the entire Calmast team - Nollaig Healy, Nora Salaberry and Elaine Liew - and she also acknowledged the team's partners and supporters.
"I want to pay particular thanks to the co-founder of Maths Week, Eoin Gill, who founded Maths Week with me 20 years ago," said Dr Donegan.
"Together we have made Maths Week what it is today. Maths Week is a partnership, and it is only through the strength and support of our partners across the island over the last 20 years that it has grown to include participation from every county," she added.
She went on to comment: "I’m proud to accept this award and acknowledge the partnerships and support that make Maths Week possible.”
Dr Helen Murphy, Head of Faculty of Education and Lifelong Learning at SETU welcomed the award and expressed pride in Dr Donegan's achievement.
“We are delighted and proud of our colleague Dr Sheila Donegan," she said.
"Sheila has led the field of STEM engagement with a focus on Maths for almost 20 years, achieving national and international recognition," she added.
She said her receiving the national award was an acknowledgement of her role as a female leader in the field.
"On behalf of our colleagues in the Faculty of Education and Lifelong Learning, I wish her continued success in her important work," said Dr Murphy.
Reflecting on her own nomination, Dr Amanda Barry said she was “humbled, proud, and totally in awe” of the women she shared the shortlist with.
“For me, STEM is about opening doors and making physics accessible to everyone," she said.
"I want to inspire people to stretch their imaginations and use what they learn to change lives for the better,” she added. “I’m grateful to everyone who has supported and believed in me on my journey through physics.”
Always one to think outside the box, earlier this year, Dr Barry, who is an avid surfer, along with fellow SETU physics lecturer Dr Gary Cahill, invited 100 students from SETU's Department of Health and Sports Science (HSS) to switch the classroom for the ocean as they engaged in an innovative outdoor learning experience of exploring physics through surfing.
This transformative approach to health and sports science education was created to bridge the gap between physics theory and real-world applications in health science and sports performance and rehabilitation.
Professor Marie Claire Van Hout, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Impact at SETU, congratulated both colleagues on their success: "These achievements highlight the exceptional calibre of women in STEM at SETU and the profound impact our staff have in education, research and engagement. Sheila’s work has transformed how maths is perceived nationally, while Amanda represents the next generation of STEM leaders who are opening doors for others."
"Their recognition is richly deserved and a source of pride for the entire university," said Prof Van Hout.
"Through initiatives like Calmast and the ongoing work of its academic and outreach teams, SETU continues to champion gender equality in STEM and to inspire participation, confidence and curiosity among learners of all ages," she added.
