Sector leading activities
All-Ireland Network for Gender Equality in Chemistry
The School initiated and continues to lead the All-Ireland Network for Gender Equality in Chemistry, connecting 12+ higher education institutions across Ireland. Since 2023, four member institutions have progressed within Athena SWAN. The Network was profiled in Chemistry World (2025) recognising the model's value.
CCE ECR Academy — structured career development for early career researchers
Established in 2023, the CCE Early Career Researcher Academy provides structured, School-specific development for postdoctoral researchers and early-career academics, with a dedicated annual budget. The Academy directly addresses the gendered attrition that occurs at the postdoctoral stage through fellowship and lectureship preparation workshops, grant writing support, careers panels, and peer networking. Since its launch, PDRA engagement with the School community has increased significantly, and members have gone on to secure fellowships and lectureships — outcomes that reflect the Academy's core purpose of building the confidence and capability needed to navigate the transition to an independent academic career.
LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Chemistry — RSC-funded intersectionality study (QUB–Purdue)
The School participated as Co-I in the RSC-funded 'LGBTQ+ Symbols in Chemistry' study (QUB–Purdue, 2023/24), and convened a UK network of six university chemistry departments to co-interpret the findings. The study produced one of the first cross-national datasets on LGBTQ+ inclusion in STEM departments, and findings have been submitted to the RSC as a policy brief.
Widening Participation in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
The School has published a programme of evidence-based widening participation research and outreach in the Journal of Chemical Education, combining sustained school partnerships, gender-balanced delivery, and socioeconomic targeting.
- Women in the Chemical Engineering Curriculum — integration of historical and contemporary women's contributions into core undergraduate teaching, addressing the underrepresentation of women in standard chemistry and engineering textbooks.
- Toward Greener Fragrances — post-16 students from disadvantaged schools conducting original green chemistry research, with female PhD students in lead roles.
- Careers and Counterfeit Cures — graduate student-led analytical chemistry outreach across schools with high free school meal entitlement.