PROMOTE

Events

The promote project is hosting networking events for women in academia throughout Ireland.

Here you can see a list of our previous events (and our upcoming ones!)

5th December 2024: PROMOTE Funding Workshop, MTU Tralee

On December 5th, PROMOTE hosted its final event of the year at MTU Tralee, drawing researchers and experts together to explore diverse funding strategies. The day began with inspiring opening remarks from the esteemed Helena McMahon, who co-facilitated alongside PROMOTE Project Manager Christine O’Sullivan. Helena shared insights from her career journey, emphasizing the importance of building networks, embracing opportunities, and exploring untapped funding paths.

 

The event featured engaging networking activities to help participants connect and included interactive sessions that fostered collaboration and addressed challenges in securing research funding. Attendees participated in lively discussions on overcoming obstacles and leveraging support systems.

 

A highlight of the day was the panel discussion led by Helena, featuring Dr. Blanca Suarez-BilbaoPaula WalsheDr. Nicola MountfordDr. Aisling WardAnnMarie Barrett, and Dr. Christina O’Connor. The panellists shared candid insights into their funding experiences, offering practical advice and inspiration to researchers at all stages of their careers.

 

To wrap up, participants were introduced to the Promotewomen.ie platform, designed to connect researchers and provide access to valuable resources. Rachel McGettrick also presented the Pathways Project, which aims to understand the factors influencing women in research and encouraged attendees to participate in Ireland’s first large-scale survey of female researchers.  Click here to have your voice heard; Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management.

 

The workshop was a resounding success, leaving participants motivated and better equipped to advance their research careers. PROMOTE extends its gratitude to all who contributed and participated throughout the year and hopes together we can continue this important work of supporting women in research.

Event Resources: 

13th November 2024: Promote Careers Workshop, SETU Arena, West Campus

The 3rd PROMOTE event took place on Wednesday, 13th November at SETU, Waterford, offering researchers valuable insights into career development and transferable skills. Facilitated by Christine O’Sullivan (PROMOTE Project Manager) and Eimear Fitzpatrick (HR Business Partner for Research, SETU), the event featured inspiring talks, engaging workshops, and dynamic panel discussions.

 

Dr. Allison Kenneally opened the event with an impactful keynote, highlighting the importance of mentorship and strategic career planning. She encouraged attendees to build their profiles and foster supportive research networks.

 

Participants enjoyed interactive networking activities, connecting with peers and sharing career experiences. A Transferable Skills Workshop, led by Eimear Fitzpatrick, explored the key skills employers seek, with attendees reflecting on their strengths and discussing their applicability across sectors.

 

A highlight of the day was the panel discussion, featuring esteemed professionals including Dr. Luciana HerdaDr. Blanca Suarez-BilbaoDr. Geraldine CannyDr. Aisling O’Neill, and Dr. Denise McGrath. Panelists shared insights on workplace culture, career transitions, and the value of PhD-acquired skills, offering practical advice for those considering diverse career paths.

 

The event concluded with a PROMOTE platform demonstration by Dr. Michael Scriney, who emphasized the importance of engagement, followed by an introduction to the Pathways Project by Rachel McGettrick.

 

PATHWAYS aims to provide a clearer understanding of the number of women working in research in Ireland and why some choose to leave. Focusing on early-career female researchers, the project will examine opportunities and challenges facing women in the field. It will adopt a mixed-methodology approach, including Ireland's first large-scale survey of female researchers. Attendees were encouraged to participate in the survey (https://maynoothpsychology.<wbr></wbr>qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_<wbr></wbr>eKVyxUweL3gjFRQto help shape a more inclusive and supportive research landscape.

 

This engaging event empowered researchers to reflect on their career paths, build connections, and contribute to vital research initiatives like PATHWAYS

7th October 2024: Publishing in Academia Training & Networking Event, University of Limerick

The second Promote event was held at The Pavilion, University of Limerick, with 33 participants from 9 higher education institutions (HEIs). Among the attendees were 31 women, and 2 men who attended in a speaking capacity.

 

We were honored to have Professor Norelee Kennedy, Vice President for Research at the University of Limerick, open the event.

 

Before starting the publishing workshop, we engaged in networking activities aimed at fostering connection, learning from each other, and having fun. During the workshop, participants shared stories and collaboratively addressed challenges before hearing from our esteemed panel. Dr. Fergal Quinn, Head of Journalism and Associate Professor in Broadcast Journalism, and Dr. Dervla Kelly, Associate Professor in Medical Education, School of Medicine at University of Limerick, shared their experiences and answered questions from the audience.

 

Following the panel, Dr. Marian Crowley-Henry, Associate Professor in Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management at Maynooth University, led an academic writing workshop. Attendees were given writing prompts and time to put pen to paper, receiving support throughout the process.

 

Later, Dr. Michael Scriney, Assistant Professor in the School of Computing at DCU, launched phase two of the Promote platform. Dr. Scriney provided a demonstration on how to sign up, navigate the platform, and explore its current functionality. While there are still a few improvements to be made, the platform is now live and ready to use. We encourage everyone to register and invite others in your network—regardless of gender—to do the same. The more the Promote community grows, the more resources we’ll have to support women in advancing their research careers.


The event concluded with inspiring speeches from Dr. Marie Connolly, Director of Human Rights, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Limerick, and Professor Katriona O'Sullivan, Director of the National Centre for Inclusive Education.

28th May 2024: First Promote In-Person Training & Networking Event, Maynooth University

The first Promote event took place in the Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth.  There were 56 attendees from 9 HEIs; 52 were women, plus 4 men who attended in support capacity to assist with facilitating the networking activities at each table. 

 

The event was launched by Professor Rachel Msetfi, VP for Research and Development from Maynooth University who spoke about her own research pathway, providing inspirational insights and learnings from her journey.

 

In her capacity as an experienced workshop facilitator, Dr Linzi Ryan from the Department of Design Innovation in Maynooth University facilitated the event. For the first half of the event Dr Ryan created structured networking activities to create engagement, conversation, and collaboration amongst attendees.

 

The second half focussed on a DORA CV workshop delivered by the Promote PI, Dr Katriona O’Sullivan. As well as receiving examples of DORA CVs, attendees were given time to start to draft a section of their own DORA CV based on the knowledge gained at the workshop, with support from a senior academic at each table.  

 

Later, Dr Michael Scriney, Assistant Professor in the School of Computing at DCU launched phase 1 of the Promote platform.  Dr Scriney conducted a demonstration on how to sign up, navigate the platform, the current functionality and what to expect from phase 2.

 

The event was closed by Dr Gemma Irvine, Vice President for EDI, Maynooth University.  Dr Irvine presented: Transferring from academia to policy and back into the University setting followed by a Q&A session.