Gender warning to third levels

Moves to withhold research funds from universities that fail to deal with gender inequality have been welcomed by an academic union.

The Irish Research Council, Science Foundation Ireland and Health Research Board will only allow those from 20 publicly-funded third-level colleges apply for competitive funding if they have met minimum requirements to deal with the issues from the end of 2019.

They will need to have a bronze accreditation from the Athena Swan Charter, but a silver accreditation will be required from the end of 2023, meaning they have to show improved female representation in academic roles.