News & Seminars
Championing Human Rights and Researcher Representation: Rola Abu Zeid–O’Neill
Rola Abu Zeid–O’Neill, a Palestinian citizen born and raised in Nazareth, is a passionate academic, community worker, and activist, advocating for human rights, Palestinian justice, and fair conditions for researchers. Her work spans education, refugee and International Protection applicants’ health support, and activism against precarity in academia, as well as tireless advocacy for Palestine through peaceful protest, education, and community solidarity.
Education and Career
Rola Abu holds a BA in Geography from the University of Haifa and an MA in Peace and Development Studies from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. In 2017, after marrying an Irish citizen, she moved to Ireland and began a PhD in Sociology at UCC, researching intergenerational trauma experienced by Palestinian women following the Nakba (the 1948 Palestinian Catastrophe). Her work focuses on memory, displacement, and the impact of war on women and their families. She has recently completed her PhD, pending final corrections.
Rola is an experienced researcher, trainer, and evaluator, in range of fields especially aiming to mitigate exclusion, poverty and conflicts, targeting refugees, displaced and disadvantage groups applying both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
Photo: In May 2024 Rola was at a Palestine Solidarity Protest in front of the Dáil Éireann in Dublin
Rola’s work also involves empowering a diverse range of people in the community, such as parents of children with disability, women, minority groups, refugees, asylum seekers, Irish women in disadvantaged areas. In addition to this, Rola is engaged in ‘capacity building of minority groups’, as well as community development, advocacy and political and civic lobbying, intercultural dialogues and cooperation experience for more than 30 years!
Currently, Rola works one day per week at UCC as a programme coordinator at the Centre for Adult Continuing Education (ACE) and is an hourly paid lecturer who teaches across several programmes across the university, especially MA in Women's Studies. Her teaching covers critical themes such as human rights, minorities, women and war, refugees, Irish women is disadvantage areas, and Islamic feminism. Rola previously played a key role in developing and coordinating multiple diplomas and certificate programmes, including a ‘Diploma in Women’s Studies’ and a ‘Diploma in Development and Global Human Rights’. Currently, Rola coordinates a ‘Diploma in Social and Psychological Health Studies’ in cooperation with SHEP, offering flexible evening and weekend courses for adult learners.
Outside UCC, Rola works with the HSE as a community worker supporting Syrian refugees, International Protection applicants (asylum seekers), and other migrants across Cork City and County. ‘It’s very interesting and rewarding, especially working directly with the communities,’ she states.
As a champion for her local community, in 2024, Rola decided to run as the ‘People Before Profit’ candidate for Cork County Council, Cobh LEA, driven by her commitment to the unique diversity of Ireland and to the future of the next generations, prioritising local issues, including school places, local transport and health care.
Photo: Rola can be seen here in Cobh welcoming the freedom Flotilla
A Call to Act: Standing in Solidarity with Palestine
Beyond her academic and community roles, Rola is a dedicated activist for Palestine, raising her voice against the ongoing Israeli-led genocide in Gaza. As a core member of the ‘Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign’, she has helped establish local branches in Carrigaline, Cobh and Midleton. Despite being diagnosed with cancer in September and temporarily stepping back, she remains a strong advocate for peaceful protest, education, and community action. ‘When there is injustice, we have to stand up,’ she states. ‘The Palestinian issue is not just a Palestinian problem — it’s a global problem.’
Rola encourages involvement through:
- Weekly protests every Saturday at 1 pm in Grand Parade, Cork and UCC on Wednesdays, 1.15pm staff and student silent vigil for Palestine at the main College Gates.
- Bridge vigils on Fridays in Cobh, Mahon Point, Ballincollig (on Mondays), Midleton (on Sundays), Fermoy, and Mallow.
- Film screenings and talks, such as keynote cinema screenings, UCC talks, and coffee mornings (check Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign website and Instagram for updates).
- Boycott campaigns advocating financial pressure by avoiding companies that support or benefit from the occupation, including Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, KFC, and L’Oreal. A full list is available via the 'No Thanks' app, Trocaire and the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign websites.
Rola also stresses the importance of ending research funding and academic collaborations with Israeli institutions. She notes, ‘Boycott movements played a key role in ending apartheid in South Africa — and they can do the same today for Palestine.’
Fighting Precarity in Higher Education
Rola’s perspective as a part-time staff member at UCC further fuels her advocacy for better working conditions for academics. ‘Even after years here, many researchers remain on temporary contracts without pensions or mortgage access,’ she explains. ‘That insecurity affects mental health, family life, and the ability to fully commit.’ She warns that without job security, UCC risks losing talented researchers to more stable employment.
For her, this makes the role of the UCCRSA critical. The association acts as a collective voice for staff who may fear speaking out alone. Some worry that raising concerns could jeopardise contract renewals, so the RSA provides a safe, collective way to raise issues.
Rola urges more staff to join the UCCRSA to help shape a better future. Not only for researchers but all precariously employed academic and research employees at UCC.
Looking ahead, she hopes UCC researchers and staff can find stability, dignity, and freedom to focus on their work without the constant fear of contract expiration.