Gender Equality has been a significant sectoral EDI priority, highlighted by the Report of the HEA Expert Group, and the subsequent publication of the Gender Taskforce Report.
HEA National Review of Gender Equality in Irish Higher Education Institutions
The reports make key recommendations to advance gender equality in higher education and emphasize the need for coordinated efforts across universities, including sharing ideas and best practices. To support sustained progress, both the HEA Expert Group and the Gender Equality Taskforce recommended regular progress reviews. In line with this, the HEA conducted a Second National Review of Gender Equality in Irish HEIs, published in December 2022. This review acknowledged significant progress, issued further targeted recommendations, and reaffirmed the importance of continuing the implementation of earlier recommendations.
Athena Swan
Our gender equality agenda is supported by a dedicated accreditation scheme, Athena SWAN, which was developed by AdvanceHE (UK), and introduced to Irish HE in 2015. Today, the Charter has been adapted and refined to the Irish Higher Education context, and all eight IUA universities have attained Athena Swan a minimum of Bronze status, which is a key indicator of progress on equality and diversity.
SAGE Charter/Research Projects
The IUA has formally endorsed the SAGE Charter of Principles for Gender Equality which supports structural, cultural and political change to eradicate sexism, bias and other forms of discrimination in research and higher education.
Senior Academic Leadership Initiative (SALI)
The Senior Academic Leadership Initiative (SALI) was launched in 2019 in response to a 2018 Gender Equality Taskforce analysis highlighting the underrepresentation of women at professor level in Irish higher education. While women made up 52% of lecturers, only 27% were professors. To address this imbalance, the Taskforce recommended creating gender-specific senior academic posts to drive rapid and lasting change.
Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment
In 2019 Dept. of Education launched a Framework Policy document for Higher Education entitled: ‘Safe, Respectful, Supportive and Positive – Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Irish Higher Education Institutions’.
The IUA has devised a set of guidelines to support universities in developing and adapting their policies to ensure an effective response to reports of complaints of sexual misconduct, and is working with universities, the HEA, and other partners on an ongoing basis to assist universities in implementation of institutional action plans to end Sexual Violence and Harassment in Higher Education.
Universities have also been active in the provision of Sexual Consent training, as a key initiative in ensuring a safe and respectful institutional environment. So, whether you are a student or member of staff in an Irish university, if you or someone you know needs help or advice relating to sexual consent or wellbeing there are a number of practical and helpful resources available here: https://www.iua.ie/ourwork/diversity-equality/consent/
IUA’s Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion is Tony McMahon