SETU Hosts PROMOTE Event for Early Career Female Researchers

On 13 November, South East Technological University (SETU) proudly welcomed early career researchers to the third PROMOTE Project training session, an initiative involving four partner universities to provide guidance on career progression for female researchers at the early stages of their careers.

The event aimed to showcase the wealth of skills and experience researchers bring to diverse sectors, both within and outside academia, and to inspire attendees to explore a range of career opportunities.

Dr Allison Kenneally, Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at SETU, opened the session by underscoring the importance of retaining women in research and emphasised the transformative role of the PROMOTE project. She encouraged participants to engage with the PROMOTE online platform and reflected on the critical role of mentorship, including peer-to-peer mentoring, throughout a research career.

A career panel offered valuable insights into the professional journeys of its members, illustrating how academic research experience can shape varied career paths. Panellists, including Dr Geraldine Canny, Dr Aisling O’Neill, Dr Denise McGrath, Dr Luciana Herda, and Dr Blanca Suarez-Bilbao, discussed key topics such as identifying personal values and goals, balancing work with family life, and practical strategies for working parents. The importance of mentoring, networking, and leveraging available supports was also highlighted.

Reflecting on the event, Dr. Geraldine Canny, Head of Research at SETU, stated, “The PROMOTE training session exemplifies our commitment to fostering an inclusive research environment. By equipping early career female researchers with the necessary tools and networks, we are paving the way for a more equitable and innovative research community.”

Dr Michael Scriney from the Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics at Dublin City University provided an overview of the PROMOTE online platform. The platform offers early career researchers access to career progression resources, networking opportunities, and support, all designed to empower researchers in advancing their careers.

The event also featured a career skills workshop on transferable skills, led by SETU’s HR Business Partner for Research, Eimear Fitzpatrick. The session focused on translating research skills for new sectors and crafting compelling applications. Eimear shared practical advice, emphasising the importance of presenting research experience in a format that resonates with employers, ensuring researchers feel confident and prepared for new opportunities.

The day concluded with in-person networking, interactive discussions, and resource-sharing to foster a supportive culture as researchers transition to the next phase of their professional lives.

The PROMOTE project is funded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and supported by the Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics. Partner institutions include Maynooth University (MU), South East Technological University (SETU), Munster Technological University (MTU), University of Limerick (UL), Dublin City University (DCU), University College Cork (UCC), and the University of Galway. Together, these partners are championing the call to #promotewomen and #buildthenetwork online. The project is coordinated by Christine O’Sullivan, PROMOTE Project Manager, Maynooth University.