Marine Institute celebrates Women and Girls in Science

Marine Institute celebrates Women and Girls in ScienceThe Marine Institute is proud to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11th February, 2024.

The United Nations Theme for the 9thInternational Day of Women and Girls in Science is “Women in Science Leadership: A New Era for Sustainability”.

The Marine Institute provides scientific, research and development services to government, agencies, industry and society that support the sustainable use of our maritime area and the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems. As an organisation, sustainability is at the heart of how the Institute works and a guiding principle for the organisation, its research, scientific advice and economic development services. None of this could be achieved without the contribution of the many women who work in the Institute.

The Marine Institute has a longstanding commitment to equality in the workforce and to encouraging young people to consider a career in our sector through our education and engagement at national school level, our annual Transition Year Programme and work as partners with many 3rd Level Institutions in Ireland and overseas.  The Marine Institute has a staff of 245 employees, of which female employees account for 51.2%.

Patricia Orme, Director of Corporate Services commented, “As an organisation we are committed to fostering the talents of women in all areas of marine science, particularly those at the early stages of their careers, as they are the future leaders of our sector.”

She continued, “Our current 5-year strategy, Ocean Knowledge that Informs and Inspires, demonstrates our commitment to women in science leadership with a strategic initiative being to advance equality of opportunity for all, with specific actions as a public body focusing on gender equality.”

Over the next few days we will be sharing messages from some of our female staff, showcasing their work, its impact and the many meaningful careers available to women in science on the Marine Institute's Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (X) and Instagram.

ENDS
 

For more information, please contact:
Sinéad Coyne, Marine Institute e. sinead.coyne@marine.ie m. +353 (0)87 947 7090
Sheila Byrnes, Marine Institute e. 
sheila.byrnes@marine.ie m. +353 (0)87 815 5271

Notes to Editor:

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an annual event for the United Nations that aims to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in science. Since 2016, it has been an important platform for discussing ways to address the underrepresentation of women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This underrepresentation is a major barrier to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which include ensuring equal access to education and promoting gender equality. According to the United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), only 28% of researchers worldwide are women, and even fewer hold senior positions. By highlighting the contributions of women and girls in science and promoting their participation in STEM fields, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science helps to pave the way for a more inclusive and sustainable future.