Gender inequality has long been a problem in Irish academia. A recent report by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) noted that widespread inequalities pervade universities across the country, with women in only 19 per cent of academic professorial roles despite filling 52 per cent of entry-level positions. The report’s central recommendations amounted to suggestions relating to promotion, gender balance at senior management levels, focus on overall culture, career development opportunities, and childcare provision and supports.
These problems are prevalent across Ireland, not just in Trinity. However, a report by the College Board on Trinity’s specific gender status found that women hold only 16 per cent of chair professor positions, though 44 per cent of academic staff are female. In response, College’s new Gender Implementation Plan, which will be brought to Board by the end of this year, intends not only to address these inadequacies but to strive for excellence in gender equality goals.
Trinity’s plans are not just attempts to paper over a deeply-ingrained problem, but are instead sustained and detailed efforts to address systemic inequality. Though Trinity is above the national average – with women occupying 48 per cent of Trinity’s governing authority positions, compared to 39 per cent nationally – this isn’t a good enough figure to rest on. As Director of Trinity’s Centre for Women in Science and Engineering Research, Prof Eileen Drew, said in a press release last week: “It is no longer acceptable to consider ‘the norm of 10 per cent to 20 per cent’ women as adequate.”
In the EU’s Gender Equality Index, Ireland is listed as eighth in the EU. While this does not imply any stunning inadequacy, there is still work to be done. Trinity’s attitude towards equality – built on ambitious and wide-reaching recommendations within a long-term, strategic Implementation Plan – is to be lauded. Being good is no longer good enough when it comes to gender equality. Despite being better than average, Trinity still recognises room to improve.
