New postgraduate scholarship to support the next generation of women leaders

The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, in partnership with the Irish Research Council, today announced a new postgraduate scholarship in honour of the legacy of Countess Markievicz, to aid the development of innovative national policies and to support the next generation of women leaders.

The announcement was made at the Countess Markievicz Conference: Celebrating Women Leaders in Ireland in the House of Lords Chamber at Bank of Ireland, College Green.

The successful postgraduate researcher will undertake cutting-edge research, with the guidance of an expert advisory group, to develop the evidence base required in order to remove barriers and to create the supports needed to enable women to rise to the top of business and public service in Ireland.

The research will be based on the findings of a Behaviour and Attitudes survey of female senior-cycle students and teachers, which focused on students’ ambitions, aspirations and interest in leadership roles, with an emphasis on politics and public service. This survey was commissioned by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

Dr Eavan O’Brien, Assistant Director of the Irish Research Council, said the research will inform future policy in the area of women in politics, business and science. “The Irish Research Council is delighted to partner with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation to deliver this new postgraduate scholarship. This research will make an important contribution to informing public policies that will address the structural barriers that women face when seeking to access leadership roles.”

The scholarship will fund a postgraduate researcher at any eligible higher education institution in Ireland. The Irish Research Council will open a call for applications in early 2020.

This call is now open. Full details are available on our Employment-Based Postgraduate Programme page.