Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2022
516. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has implemented the senior academic leadership initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6455/22]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that one of the key objectives of SALI is to strengthen gender diversity at the senior leadership level within HEIs and to encourage the benefits that such diversity can deliver.
Championing equality and diversity is one of the key goals of my department. The Senior Academic Leadership Initiative (SALI) is an important initiative aimed at advancing gender equality and the representation of women at the highest levels in our higher education institutions.
I can confirm that seven of our institutions have been successful under Cycle 2 of the Senior Academic Leadership Initiative (SALI), securing an additional 10 posts at senior academic level in higher education. This brings the total number of posts awarded under SALI to 30.
The posts awarded span a range of disciplinary areas, from Biochemical Engineering, to Sustainable Geoscience, Intersectional Humanities and Pharmaceutical Engineering. These posts will not only have a significant impact in terms of gender equality, but they will also contribute to wider societal goals through research and education. The posts now being announced were approved by an expert international assessment panel chaired by Professor Chantal Davies, Professor of Law, Equality and Diversity in the School of Law at the University of Chester. Further posts under SALI Cycle 2 may be approved from a reserve list in 2022.
Recruitment of these posts will be initiated by the relevant HEIs. The recruitment process in each HEI will take place to the highest standards of assessment, evaluation and rigour consistent with the seniority of the posts to ensure the quality and excellence of the appointments made in due course.
I have no doubt that the Senior Academic Leadership Initiative (SALI) will continue to attract outstanding applicants from within the higher education sector in Ireland and internationally in the future.
