Events

L:R President Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, Dr Katriona O Sullivan & Dr Helen Maher

President Ciarán Ó hOgartaigh opened University of Galway’s week of events to mark International Women’s Day 2024. He spoke of the importance of mentorship and support and the pivotal role Higher Education Institutions like University of Galway have in cultivating a culture of inclusion and respect. He also highlighted the University’s plans in relation to positive action measures to increase the number of women in senior positions.

VP for EDI, Dr Helen Maher, interviewed Dr Katriona O’Sullivan author of best-selling memoir Poor. During the interview, Dr Sullivan gave us an insight into her own personal experience of growing up in poverty and how this and how the structures and people around her have impacted her life. Conversations around the impact that educators and authority figures can have on people’s mind-set and self-believe were particularly thought provoking. It was noted that the hashtag for IWD 2024 #InspireInclusion should not be considered as something that is charitable, but should instead be focused on celebration and encouragement. 

Aoife Cooke, Dr Katriona O'Sullivan & Dr Helen Maher

Front: Owen Ward, Niamh Kavanagh, Dr Katriona O'Sullivan, President Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, Dr Helen Maher & Niamh Gallagher
Back: Margaret Forde, Dr Laura Loftus & Aoife Cooke