SETU promotes career progression for female researchers
Pictured L-R: Dr Sinead Ni Murchadha, Róisín Shanahan, Eoin Molly, and Dr Aisling O' Neill.
South East Technological University (SETU) in Waterford welcomed early career researchers to the third PROMOTE Project training session recently.
The aim of the initiative, which involves four partner universities, is to provide guidance on career progression for female researchers at early stages in their careers.
A spokesperson for SETU told Waterford News & Star that the aim was to showcase the skills and experience researchers bring to diverse sectors, both within and outside academia. Attendees at the event were also encouraged to explore a wide range of career opportunities.
Dr Allison Kenneally, Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at SETU, opened the session by highlighting the importance of retaining women in research. She also emphasised the transformative role of the project.
Ms Kenneally encouraged participants to engage with the PROMOTE online platform and reflected on the critical role of mentorship, including peer-to-peer mentoring, throughout a research career.
Insights were provided by a career panel composed of Dr Geraldine Canny, Dr Aisling O'Neill, Dr Denise McGrath, Dr Luciana Herda, and Dr Blanca Suarez-Bilbao. They discussed key topics such as identifying personal values and goals, balancing work with family life, and practical strategies for working parents.
Reflecting on the event, Dr. Geraldine Canny, Head of Research at SETU, said: "The PROMOTE training session exemplifies our commitment to fostering an inclusive research environment. By equipping early career female researchers with the necessary tools and networks, we are paving the way for a more equitable and innovative research community.”
Dr Michael Scriney, from the Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics at Dublin City University, provided an overview of the project's online platform, which offers early career researchers access to career progression resources, networking opportunities, and support.
The event also featured a workshop on transferable career skills, led by SETU’s HR Business Partner for Research, Eimear Fitzpatrick. The session focused on translating research skills for new sectors and crafting compelling applications. Ms Fitzpatrick shared practical advice and spoke of the importance of presenting research experience in a format that resonates with employers.
The day concluded with in-person networking, interactive discussions and resource-sharing.
The project is funded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and supported by the Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics. In addition to SETU the partner institutions involved include Maynooth University (MU), Munster Technological University (MTU), University of Limerick (UL), Dublin City University (DCU), University College Cork (UCC), and the University of Galway. The project is coordinated by Christine O’Sullivan, PROMOTE Project Manager at Maynooth University.
