TU Dublin events highlight inclusion and early-career research for International Women’s Day
Researchers, staff and students at TU Dublin participated in a series of events marking International Women’s Day 2026 that focused on advancing equality, strengthening inclusive workplaces and supporting early-career researchers. Observed globally on 8th March, this year’s theme ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,’ calls for renewed action to address persistent gender inequalities. Despite progress in recent decades, women worldwide still hold only about 64% of the legal rights afforded to men across areas including work, safety, finance and property.
Two TU Dublin events held during the week highlighted the role research communities and institutions can play in addressing these challenges.
On the of 2nd March, two EU-funded research projects at TU Dublin; PANTOUR and NEXUS hosted a panel discussion titled ‘Inclusive Workplaces: Giving Opportunity, Gaining Impact.’
Organised by Nwabuogo Enwerem, Research Management Support Officer in the Research Support Services Unit, the event invited staff and students to reflect on how workplaces and research environments can create more inclusive opportunities.
Opening the event, Dr Fernanda Lima Rabelo welcomed attendees and outlined key outputs from the two projects, including initiatives developed through NEXUS such as the EDI Champion Networks, the Research Mentoring and Mentee Programme, the EDI Info Hub and Bystander Intervention Training. Dr Fernanda Lima Rabelo also highlighted the PANTOUR project’s Best Practice Handbook on equity, diversity and inclusion in the tourism and hospitality sector.
Speakers shared insights from research and practice on building supportive professional environments. Dr Sara Clavero reflected on challenges often faced by early-career researchers and emphasised the importance of mentorship, networks and institutional support. Research in equality, diversity and inclusion, she noted, can be both challenging and rewarding, encouraging participants to persist in their work.
Dr Geraldine Gorham highlighted the importance of preparing students for work placements in organisations with strong EDI practices. She also stressed that students should feel empowered to speak up when inclusive practices are lacking.
Other contributors included Kathleen Linehan, who discussed EDI initiatives in her organisation and the importance of embedding inclusion into workplace culture, and Fernanda Vergara, who reflected on the role of supportive managers in helping early-career researchers develop their careers.
The discussion also offered guidance for students considering future employers, encouraging them to look for organisations where inclusion is demonstrated through practice, diverse voices are represented at all levels and opportunities for development are equitable. The event concluded with remarks from Dr Denise O’Leary, who thanked speakers and attendees for their contributions. For more information on project outcomes and actions, please visit the TU Dublin EDI Info Hub.
Later in the week, the Women+ in Early Career Research Community of Practice held its inaugural research symposium on the 6th March at the TU Dublin Grangegorman Campus.
The event welcomed 50+ attendees, including 20 researchers representing seven universities and disciplines from across Ireland. It aimed to support networking, collaboration and discussion among early-career researchers.
The event was organised by Elizabeth Darnell, a PhD student in the School of Computer Science funded by ARISE, Andrea Heaney, a PhD student in the School of Computer Science funded by ML-Labs, and Róisín Faherty, Faculty Head of Research and Innovation in Faculty of Computing, Digital and Data and officially opened by Dr Dympna O'Sullivan, Vice President, TU Dublin Research and Innovation.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr Ebun Joseph, Ireland’s Special Rapporteur on Racial Equality and Racism and CEO of the Institute of Antiracism and Black Studies. Speaking about her own experience as an early-career researcher, she encouraged participants to recognise the value they bring to research environments through new questions, methods and perspectives. Dr Joseph also emphasised the importance of building supportive networks, protecting wellbeing and leading with courage.
Organisers said the Women+ in Early Career Research Community of Practice will continue to host workshops, networking events and social gatherings throughout the year to support researchers across TU Dublin and beyond.
Together, the events highlighted TU Dublin’s ongoing work to support inclusive research cultures and to advance the principles of rights, justice and action reflected in this year’s International Women’s Day theme.