An anonymous donation of £1.5 million has enabled Limerick University to extend the boundaries of its Women’s Studies programme to create new educational opportunities and research programmes.
Funding for the extended programme came from a private anonymous donor concerned with issues related to equality and social justice, said Prof Pat O’Connor, Dean of Humanities at Limerick University.
"It is like Santa Claus striking - an amazing, wonderful and highly believable act," she said.
The result of four years work headed by Course Director, Prof Carmen Kuhling, the new Women’s Studies programme will focus on extending research into Women’s Studies and enhancing educational opportunities.
The new initiatives and funding will provide for a Senior Lectureship and Junior Lectureship position in the new academic year along with a number of postdoctoral fellowships, doctorate bursaries and seed funding for research.
The initiative will also include a new Certificate in Women’s Studies, a part-time course which offering 20 places each year.
"The certificate is intended for people who have not attended university before, giving them a bridge into university study," said Mr John Logan, head of the Government and Society faculty, which includes women studies.
The University has also pledged to heighten awareness of women studies related issues in disciplines and programmes across the University faculties.
with voluntary and women groups in the local community. It will also hold regular Women’s Studies day-seminars with guest speakers.
Limerick University has the longest running women studies programme in Ireland. The Masters programme began in 1989 and the University began the country’s first Postgraduate Programme in Women’s Studies.
"There has been a healthy response to the programme over the years. What is interesting is that we have seen an increase in the number of men who have taken it on and graduated with degrees in Women’s Studies, which is good considering it has been considered a women’s subject," said Mr John Logan Head of the Government and Society faculty which includes women studies.
"Universities still remain hierarchically and numerically male dominated institutions as only 5 per cent of those at professorial positions nationally are women. Women’s Studies programmes like this are important to continue to move towards a better balance.
"The whole driving force is the idea that knowledge should be created by men and women. Programmes like this are about keeping that vision alive," said Prof O’Connor.