Students back lecturers in equality action

Students at NUI Galway have joined the campaign for equal promotional opportunities for their female lecturers after the university was found to have the lowest proportion of women in top jobs.

At a lunchtime meeting yesterday, representatives from 25 student societies met to show solidarity with the five female lecturers who are preparing legal action against the university after they were denied promotions.

Their move follows the successful case taken by now retired lecturer Dr Micheline Sheehy Skeffington, who last November was awarded €70,000 and a back-dated promotion, after the Equality Tribunal found she was discriminated against in being overlooked for promotion.