NEWS: State takes direct action on gender inequality in higher education; Playing sport linked to mental wellbeing

State takes direct action on gender inequality in higher education

TWO major gender equality initiatives – aimed at addressing gender under-representation in senior leadership roles, and supporting the achievement of equality and diversity goals in higher education institutions – have been launched today by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, T.D.

A call for applications under the Senior Academic Leadership Initiative – which promotes gender-targeted leadership posts in higher education institutions (HEIs) – is now live following approval by the Minister earlier this week.

The Call which is being issued by the HEA will be for 15 senior leadership posts in HEIs nationally. This is on top of the 20 posts that were approved in January 2020.

New equality funding

In addition, the HEA has announced that it will provide €300,000 in funding annually to the Gender Equality Enhancement Fund, which will support organisational and cultural change initiatives nationally.

This Fund will encourage innovative approaches to addressing gender inequality across HEIs and support cross-sectoral collaboration.

This is of particular importance due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on female academic staff – many of whom disproportionately carry the increased burden of caring responsibilities, potentially further delaying their career progression.

Leadership

The Senior Academic Leadership Initiative (SALI) aims to help achieve equality of outcome in the higher education sector, and 45 senior academic leadership posts will be awarded to HEIs over three years to assist in accelerating gender balance at senior levels. The key objective of this initiative is principally to attract outstanding female applicants both from within the sector currently and internationally.

In 428 years, there has only been one female president of an Irish university (appointed in 2020).

Playing sport linked to mental wellbeing

YOUNG people who engaged in sports were found to have higher levels of wellbeing and lower symptoms of anxiety and depression with team sports conferring an additional benefit according to the Physical Activity and Wellbeing study published by DCU.

The study, including a survey of 5,500 adolescents across Ireland found that of the 4 out of 10 who self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety, 47% were females and 28% were males.

Only 8% achieved the daily recommendation of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise. 70% of male adolescents took part in a team sport compared to 56% of females. Levels of physical activity, among females, decreased as they got older and only 1% of sixth-year female students achieved the recommended physical activity guidelines per day.

A fifth of adolescents did not take part in any activity, either individual or team-based.