By September of 2022 Advance HE in Britain, who operate Athena Swan, had dropped the requirement to foster ‘collective understanding’ from the UK Principles. However, crucially, collective understanding about gender is still required in Ireland.
Colette Colfer's courageous stance in objecting to the South East Technological University's new gender identity and expression policy was reported in The Irish Times on Thursday of last week: Lecturer
It’s time to revisit the idea of the university and the still important ideas of John Henry Newman and to reposition Ireland on a path which prioritises cultivation of the intellect above an award system that stifles intellectual and institutional freedom and stultifies open inquiry and debate.