Trinity College Dublin names Professor Linda Doyle as the first female Provost in its history.
For over three hundred years, Trinity College Dublin, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, refused entry to women. The 32nd Provost of the university George Salmon, was one of the last opponents to the idea. Susan Parkes, editor of 'A Danger to the Men? A History of Women in Trinity College Dublin 1904-2004.' notes that
He died in January 1904 and the women were in in March.
Trinity College Dublin has appointed Professor Linda Doyle as its 45th Provost, the first female Provost in its 429-year history. Before summer 2020, no Irish university had ever had a woman at the helm; by the end of 2021, there will be four.
Professor Kerstin Mey was appointed interim President of the University of Limerick (UL) in September 2020. Professor Maggie Cusack was appointed as the inaugural President of Munster Technological University (MTU) in January 2021. In October 2021 Professor Eeva Leinonen will join Maynooth University as President.
Linda Doyle understands her appointment is a major historic moment.
I look forward to the next 400 years, where this is no longer extraordinary, it's just an ordinary thing.
Linda Doyle was Professor of Engineering and The Arts in TCD and served previously as the college's Dean and Vice President of Research. The Provost-elect, is already turning her attention to getting back to campus life in the post COVID-19 era.
Linda Doyle will take up her office as Provost of Trinity College Dublin on 1 August 2021.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 10 April 2021. The reporter is Laura Fletcher.
