NUIG addresses gender equality issues

NUI Galway has avoided losing out on research funding after securing the first level of an international standard for gender equality.

The university has been the subject of criticisms over the low level of promotions of female academics, and there are still cases pending against it in the High Court by four women who were overlooked in a previous promotions round in 2008 and 2009.

NUI Galway announced this week that it has achieved a bronze Athena Swan award, the lowest level of recognition for a college’s plans to address gender equality issues. This follows two previous unsuccessful applications by the university. Athena Swan is an internationally-recognised charter that supports work by academic institutions to advance gender equality in academic, professional, and support roles.