An Post has issued two new stamps celebrating Irish women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths to mark International Women’s Day. This honour was awarded to two women with significant ties to Trinity College Dublin, Professor Aoife McLysaght and Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell.
Professor Aoife McLysaght is a leading figure in the field of evolutionary genetics. McLysaght completed her undergraduate degree and PhD in Trinity, and is now Professor of Genetics and Chair of Evolutionary Genetics in TCD. She published the first draft of the human genome sequence and was the first to discover novel human-specific genes. Having led various research groups for over two decades, McLysaght has secured more than €5.5 million in competitive research funding, as well as the role of Government Science Advisor. McLysaght described herself as “quite stunned” at being one of the two chosen scientists for this honour, while also noting that “it’s really lovely to have science represented on stamps and it’s lovely that it’s women in science”.
The second scientist commemorated is Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell. Bell Burnell is a trailblazer in the field of astrophysics, her most notable achievement being her discovery of the first radio pulsars in 1967. This breakthrough has had a profound impact on our understanding of the universe and the research received a Nobel prize, although her male supervisor received the award rather than Bell Burnell herself. Bell Burnell is an Honorary Fellow at TCD, and has conducted extensive research across the electromagnetic spectrum. The Professor said she was “honoured and delighted to have a stamp issue in [her] honour” and thanked An Post.
These scientists are being honoured not only for their myriad scientific achievements but also for the roads they have paved for women in STEM, as outlined at the stamps’ unveiling by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless. Both women have demonstrated a deep dedication to improving accessibility in science, evidenced by McLysaght’s science communication efforts, which include frequent contributions to radio discussions, television panels and public events, including music festivals and lectures at the Royal Institution. Burnell has also been a steadfast advocate for underrepresented groups in science, donating her €3 million winnings from the Breakthrough Prize in 2018 to support scholarships for underrepresented students in physics.
The stamps, designed by Detail Design Studio, feature portraits of each scientist by artist Steve Doogan, accompanied by graphics representing their respective fields: a radio telescope for Professor Bell Burnell and a DNA double helix for Professor McLysaght. These stamps, along with a limited edition First Day Cover envelope, are available at selected post offices nationwide and online at An Post’s shop. This release continues An Post’s tradition of honouring the contributions of Irish women. Previous stamp series have celebrated figures such as Mary Robinson, Susan Denham, Jennie Wyse Power and Thekla Beere, three of whom are also TCD alumnae.
Professor Aoife McLysaght said regarding this honour: “It is wonderful to see An Post celebrating the contributions of Irish women in STEM, even if the two stamps represent just a small sample of the vast body of amazing work to choose from. Each person brings a unique perspective, and these stamps help highlight the value of diversity in STEM. I hope these stamps inspire future generations of women to pursue careers in STEM and to know that their contributions are valued and recognised.”
The release of these stamps is just one initiative in a widespread attempt to combat the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields. Despite the number of women undertaking degrees in STEM on the rise, according to the OECD women still only account for 25% of STEM jobs in Ireland, with even less at senior executive level. Provost Linda Doyle, who studied engineering, said: “It is wonderful to see the contribution of women in STEM celebrated in such a visual way with these new postage stamps. I really hope it inspires many more women – and young girls, in particular – to consider a career in STEM and to follow in the footsteps of these two trailblazers.”
