UL project aims to advance gender equality in higher education
A UL project aiming to advance gender equality in higher education has identified approaches to creating fairer and more gender-responsive practices across higher education.
Researchers, university leaders, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) professionals, implementation scientists, academic staff, and higher education stakeholders recently gathered to share findings from ELEVATE, a collaborative research project involving University of Limerick (UL), The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and University College Cork (UCC).
The ELEVATE project examined how workload in Irish higher education institutions impacts the career progression of women academics and how institutions can create fairer and more gender-responsive approaches to allocating academic work. The project was funded through the Higher Education Authority Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Enhancement Fund.
Drawing on evidence collected across UL, RCSI and UCC, the project provides new insights into the often-hidden ways workload allocation can influence promotion opportunities, research productivity, leadership development, and career advancement. Academics from across the three HEIs contributed to the study.
Dr Aoife Gallagher, University of Limerick ELEVATE Research Lead, said: "Despite significant progress in gender equality within higher education, research continues to demonstrate that women academics are more likely to undertake disproportionate levels of teaching, administration, student support, and other forms of 'academic citizenship' work.
"While these activities are essential to the functioning of universities, they are not always recognised or rewarded equally in promotion and career progression processes. ELEVATE seeks to address this challenge by identifying practical, evidence-informed approaches to workload allocation that support fairness, transparency, and equity."
The recent dissemination event provided an opportunity for participants to engage directly with the project's findings and recommendations, while also contributing their perspectives on how the evidence can be translated into meaningful organisational change. Discussions focused not only on work allocation practices, but also on how the ELEVATE methodology and implementation approach may inform broader EDI initiatives across the higher education sector.
The event attracted representation from across all disciplines, and academics from all stages of their career with an interest in workplace equity and organisational change.
"ELEVATE demonstrates the power of collaboration across institutions to tackle some of the most complex EDI challenges facing higher education. While workload allocation may appear to be an operational issue, it has profound implications for equity, opportunity, and career progression," Dr Gallagher added.
"By bringing together researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers, this event provided an opportunity to explore how evidence can be translated into practical actions that create fairer systems for women academics and, ultimately, stronger and more inclusive universities."
Participants discussed findings from the three partner institutions and engaged in discussions about future implementation.
The event highlighted University of Limerick's longstanding commitment to advancing equality, diversity, and inclusion through research, institutional leadership, and partnership working. UL has played a leading role nationally in developing innovative approaches to EDI and continues to invest in initiatives that support equitable career development, inclusive academic cultures, and evidence-informed organisational change.
The research team aim to progress the work further to understand how the recommendations might be embedded within HEI systems and processes using an implementation science approach.
More information about the project is available on the ELEVATE website.
