Linda Doyle is the 45th Provost of Trinity College Dublin. She has a long academic career, having previously served as a Professor of Engineering and the Arts and as Trinity’s former Dean of Research. She graduated from University College Cork in 1989, completed her Master’s Degree at Trinity in 1993, and completed her PhD at Trinity in 1997. She is Trinity’s first female Provost.
What would you say to your Fresher self?
Firstly, I’m not sure if my Fresher self would have taken any notice of anything anyone said to her! However, if I were to say something, it would be: “Take chances, make opportunities for yourself and do not be afraid to put your head above the parapet. And it’s fine if things go wrong. There is plenty of time to work it out.”
What have you taken from the college experience that you use/think about today?
I studied engineering, and it gave me a very systematic way of thinking about problems and finding solutions. This has turned out to be really useful in my role as Provost. I also learned that I needed something more than just engineering and that it was possible to create that “something more” yourself. That is why I went on to mix engineering and the arts and do things a bit differently.
Do you have any advice for incoming first years at Trinity?
Make a friend. You just need to find one to start off! And if you come to Trinity with a gang of friends already made, be the one to reach out to someone who might not know anyone!
