Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee meets every month and contains representation from our students and all staff categories. Chair of our EDI committee is Dr. Florence McCarthy.
Dr. Florence McCarthy
Gender: Male
Position: Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Background: Parent to 2 young children (1 boy, 1 girl; one with disabilities)
Committee Role: Chair of Committee
Time on the Committee: < 2 years
Influence of Athena SWAN: I joined the committee in 2019 as I believed I could contribute to the development and implementation of equality principles in the School. Athena SWAN has had a transformative influence on both the School and my working practices leading to a better working and studying environment.
Florence says: "I am passionate about fairness, equality of experience and inclusion of all in everything I do."
Prof. Anita Maguire
Gender: Female
Posiition: Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Director of ABCRF
Background: Parent to 2 teenagers (2 boys)
Committee Role: Promoting women in science at UCC and national level. Have been able to bring experience at the University level steering committee and in national discussions on EDI to the committee in the School.
Time on the Committee: 5 years
Influence of Athena SWAN: It is very clear that the quality of everything we do in the School is enhanced by stopping to consider how the ways in which we act might impact on people within the School, depending on individual circumstances. Small changes can make a very big difference leading to an improved experience for all in the School and enhanced outcomes.
Anita says: "Embedding the principles of equality and inclusion in everything we do is a key priority."
Dr. Subhajit Biswas
Gender: Male
Position: Senior Research Fellow
Background: Parent to 1 young child
Committee Role: Co-Lead of WG Staff Data, Member of WG Career Development
Time on the Committee: 5 years
Influence of Athena SWAN: I joined the committee in 2016. Athena SWAN has not only made me aware of the gender disparity in Irish Universities, but also on the significance of good practice in equality (among gender, race, religion) in the general wellbeing of the society and country. I am also very much happy that I can directly contribute to creating equality in a research environment in the School and University through this great initiative.
Subhajit says: "Born and brought up in a country as deeply stratified as India motivated me to participate in an initiative like Athena SWAN which promotes inclusion and opportunity for all."
Dr. Elizabeth Gilchrist
Gender: Female
Position: Lecturer in Analytical Chemistry
Background: Do dogs count under caring responsibilities?
Committee Role: Co-Lead on WG Career Development and member WG Staff Data
Time on the Committee: 4.5 years
Influence of Athena SWAN: I joined the committee in 2016 as a postdoctoral researcher keen to contribute towards positive change. Everyone has their personal barriers and Athena SWAN helps us hear these and commit to addressing these challenges.
Elizabeth says:
Dr. Trevor Carey
Gender: Male
Background: Parent to 1 infant child with full time health care requirements.
Position: Senior Technical Officer
Committee Role: Co-Lead of Section 5.6 (Organisation and Culture) Working Group, Member of Section 5.5 (Flexible Working) Working Group, Paternity Leave Champion, School website administrator (including EDI and Athena SWAN).
Time on the Committee: 5 years
Influence of Athena SWAN: Since the committee was established, I have learned a lot about gender inequality, diversity and inclusion, and where possible, put these learning outcomes into practice in my role with students as a Senior Technical Officer, as school website administrator and also in everyday life where equality and gender diversity issues often arise. I now think about things very differently to how I did 5 years ago.
Trevor says: "Until we get equality in education, we won't have an equal society."
Ms. Michelle Ryan
Gender: Female
Position: PhD student in Organic Chemistry
Background: Parent to one child, a boy.
Committee Role: Member of WG Student Data, and WG Culture. Involved in the design of the PG student survey.
Time on the Committee: < 2 years
Influence of Athena SWAN: I wanted to join the Athena Swan committee to understand the barriers that prevent women from progressing in their scientific careers. Being part of Athena Swan has allowed me to be part of the solution and address these challenges through active engagement and action planning with members of the school and the AS committee.
Michelle says: "Increasing equality means increasing opportunities. I believe everyone deserves equal opportunities."
Dr. Humphrey Moynihan
Gender: Male
Position: Senior Lecturer in Organic Chemistry (Medicinal/Pharmaceutical) and Head of School.
Background: Parent to two grown up daughters.
Committee Role: Head of School and Co-Lead of WG Career Development
Time on the Committee: 2.5 years
Influence of Athena SWAN: Being on the committee means I can be part of working to ensure equality, inclusion and fair practices for our students and staff.
Humphrey says: "There is great enthusiasm for and commitment to Athena SWAN principles throughout the School, influencing all aspects of the School’s mission."
Ms. Claire Tobin
Gender: Female
Position: School Manager
Background: Member of SEFS AS Steering Group
Committee Role: Co-Lead for WG Staff Data and WG Flexible Working
Time on the Committee: 5 years
Influence of Athena SWAN: I was delighted to join Athena SWAN when we went for our first Bronze award in 2017, I believed it was an opportunity to open conversations around equality, inclusion and diversity within the School and an opportunity for us as a School to see and reflect on where we are in this arena and where we need to go.
Claire says: "It is important to recognise that we are all unique and that one size does not fit all."
Dr. Ger McGlacken
Gender: Male
Background: Parent to 2 young children (3 year old boy and 3 month old girl)
Position: Senior Lecturer in Organic Chemistry
Committee Role: Co-Lead of WG Flexible Working
Time on the Committee: 2 years
Influence of Athena SWAN: I joined the committee in 2019 because I think that diversity is what makes the world go around, and would like to enhance that ethos in any way I can.
Ger says: "Just be honest in all your dealings. Things will sometimes go awry because of it, but you can always look people in the eye."
Dr. Aoife O'Sullivan
Gender: Female
Position: Senior Technical Officer – Undergraduate Teaching Labs
Background: Parent to a preschool age boy
Committee Role: Co-Lead of WG Student Data
Time on the Committee: 5 years
Influence of Athena SWAN: The introduction of Athena SWAN principles in the School has opened the conversation around flexible working, family leave and opportunities for all staff categories. It has instigated engagement with undergraduates, postgraduates and staff that previously didn’t exist.
Aoife says: "I am grateful for my involvement in Athena SWAN activity as it has opened many doors for me at College & University level. My interest and network in this area has also broadened since I have been entrusted to act as a Panellist for the past year."
Prof. John Wenger
Gender: Male
Position: Professor in Physical Chemistry
Background: Parent to 2 teenagers (1 boy, 1 girl)
Committee Role: Co-Lead on WG Culture and Contributor to Section 3
Time on the Committee: 5 years
Influence of Athena SWAN: Athena SWAN has been a vehicle for change for us in the School of Chemistry. It has promoted inclusivity, togetherness and helped deliver a better working environment for all.
John says: "Transparency, equal opportunity and inclusion are essential for allowing people to flourish and be comfortable in their surroundings."
Ms. Kasia Pyrz
Gender: Female
Position: Senior Executive Assistant
Background: Parent to 2 teenage children (one with disabilities)
Committee Role: Administrator and Co-Lead of WG Student Data; Member of WG Career Development; One of the Case Studies.
Time on the Committee: < 2 years
Influence of Athena SWAN: I am passionate about all issues EDI stands for: advocating for and working towards a more inclusive, supportive, and diverse workplace, science, and broader society. Social and sectoral injustices persist and must be mitigated, and a comprehensive EDI strategy is the first step towards achieving that. My involvement in the School’s EDI committee allows me to lend my voice and expertise to these vital issues. I have been enabled to expect and influence the impact and implementation of actions and policies towards creating more inclusive spaces.
Kasia says: "Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible."
Dr. Dave Otway
Gender: Male
Position: Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry
Background: Parent to 3 children (2 girls; 1 boy), husband to full-time hard-working nurse.
Committee Role: Member WG Staff Data and Culture
Time on the Committee: 5 years
Influence of Athena SWAN: Athena Swan has been transformative in our school and in UCC especially around maternity benefits, flexible work practices and associated aids.
Dave says: "The full adoption of flexible work practices along with the core hours policy has been revolutionary when juggling a family life, children, and work responsibilities."
Ms. Katie Phelan
Gender: Female
Position: Undergraduate student at UCC, studying Chemistry of Pharmaceutical Compounds.
Background: Involved with WiSTEM during my studies.
Committee Role: Member of WG Student Data and Organisation and Culture
Time on the Committee: < 2 years
Influence of Athena SWAN: I became involved with the committee with the hope that I might bring the student perspective and reflect the ethos of Athena SWAN in the student community.
Katie says: "I've been inspired to see how Athena SWAN encourages and facilitates equal opportunity and inclusion. I'm committed to playing my part in promoting this at UCC."
