Dr Marie Connolly

Dr Connolly was appointed as the inaugural Director for Human Rights, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the University of Limerick in March 2021. Since joining UL in 2006 Dr. Connolly has held several key roles including leading the University’s bid in achieving the prestigious Athena SWAN (AS) Bronze Institution Award in 2015, one of the first universities in Ireland to achieve the award most recently leading the institution in achieving the first Silver Athena Swan Institution Award in the Irish HEI Sector in 2023.

She represents the university on external bodies providing an authoritative voice in the development of the national agenda in the area of equality and diversity. She is the current chair of the Irish Universities Association (IUA) Vice Presidents Equality, Diversity & Inclusion forum and previously held the position of chair of the National Athena Swan Steering Committee.