The History Research Seminars, School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics, in collaboration with HAPP Athena SWAN celebrate International Women's Day 2021.

To register for the event, view full details in the event listing: 

History Research Seminar Friday 5 March 2021

Academic colleagues on a teaching and research contract in the School of HAPP are entitled to a teaching-free semester upon their return from maternity leave, in line with Queen’s University’s SWAN agenda.  Between 2016 and 2020, seven female colleagues availed of this support.  

'Having no teaching meant that I didn’t have to spend valuable maternity time working on teaching preparation. This made my decision to go back to work much less stressful. During the semester, I designed a new international module for which I won competitive funding from the Faculty. Moreover, I was able to focus on my research. I also had the time and headspace to apply for a promotion to Senior Lecturer. Had I not had the time, I’m not confident that I would have gone for the promotion this time, which would have obviously had some mid- and long-term effects on my career. I consider the teaching-free semester an extremely important provision by the School that in my case played a catalysing role in my career progression'. Evropi Chatzipanagiotidou, Senior Lecturer, Anthropology

‘immensely helpful in getting me back into…research. I say helpful, but honestly, I feel like it was almost necessary for me to have that relatively uninterrupted time to properly re-engage with the research side of my work. …The SWAN semester made it possible to get…[a] paper to the level it needed to be accepted for…[the] highest profile journal…– so it is important for my career…[and] research and write a short paper for a collection…and progress…initial work on a grant proposal’. Sparky Booker, Lecturer, History

'invaluable…to catch up on archival research…and writing…[It] also enabled me to refresh my module reading lists, familiarise myself with new literature published during my leave, and absorb new school policies relating to students. This would have been impossible had I returned to the classroom immediately on return from maternity leave. The school's implementation of the teaching-free semester was also reassuring because it indicated recognition of the physical, mental and psychological effects of pregnancy, childbirth and new-born childcare.'

'I was generously offered funding from the SWAN committee. The application was very straightforward, and the funding was very helpful, particularly after my viva. After completing your PhD this kind of funding helps make you feel fully supported by the institution to further your academic career in a transitional period of a student's life.'

Irish journalist and broadcaster Mary Kenny delivered a talk at the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics on 6 March 2020 to mark Internaional Women's Day.

Mary Kenny worked as a reporter, feature writer and European Correspondent on the London Evening Standard from 1966-69. She was Woman’s Editor, at the Irish Press, Dublin from 1969-71 and a freelance writer and columnist thereafter with the Sunday Telegraph, Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph, Times, and many other newspapers and weeklies. She has been a panellist on Question Time and Any Questions and The Late Late Show (Dublin), as well as a presenter and contributor to radio and TV documentaries. She is a founder member Irish Women’s Liberation Movement in 1970. In 2010-12 she was Master of The Keys in the Guild of Catholic Writers.

Mary’s books include the hugely influential Goodbye to Catholic Ireland: a social history published in  1997; Death by Heroin, Recovery by Hope: A Family Tragedy (2001); Germany Calling – a Personal Biography of William Joyce, Lord Haw-Haw (2003), reprinted 2004. Crown & Shamrock – Love and Hate between Ireland and the British Monarchy (2009); Something of Myself and Others (2013); A Day at a Time – a  book of thoughts and reflections (2016) and Am I a Feminist? Are You? (2019). Also a playwright, Mary’s works include,  ‘Allegiance: Winston Churchill and Michael Collins 1921-2’ performed in Edinburgh in 2006 with Mel Smith and Michael Fassbender; ‘A State of Emergency’ – a drama set in neutral Ireland, published in Dublin in 2010; ‘In the Light of Eva’s Shadow’, on RTE Radio May 2017; ‘Dearest Old Darling’ – a chamber piece drawn on the prison letters of Constance Markievicz (2018-2019), performed in Ireland and England, with Jeananne Crowley.

Mary is currently working on a new book called ‘Why Ireland Was Catholic’, exploring culture, folklore, society and values in an Ireland that is now disappearing. She continues to as a work as a journalist.

The HAPP SWAN SAT committee funded a Mental Health workshop delivered by Aware NI for HAPP Professional Support Staff on 6 March 2019.  

The SWAN Charter applies to all staff and students in the School. The Charter has ten principles that are adopted by the School relating to the promotion of gender equality.

View the School Charter 

In 2019 the School launched its' SWAN Grant Support Semester, to support HAPP teaching and research staff apply for research grants.  Dr Laura Pfuntner received SWAN-funded support.   

Members of the 2018-19 HAPP SWAN SAT, Swan Champions Dr Elaine Farrell and Dr Joe Morrison with Rebecca Kerr, PGR Representative.