The School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin has announced that women now make up 37% of its incoming Junior Fresh cohort which marks a significant increase in female participation that places the School well above the national average for engineering programmes.
According to the HEA’s Key Facts & Figures – Gender 2024 report, women represented 24.5% of students enrolled in engineering, manufacturing, and construction disciplines across Irish higher education in 2022/23. Trinity’s progress in this area has been consistent over the past decade, rising from 29% female representation in 2016/17 (compared with the national figure of 18.3% that year) to 37% in 2025/26.
This upward trend reflects the School’s sustained commitment to inclusion, visibility, and outreach. Initiatives such as the Athena SWAN action plan, engagement with the Trinity Walton Club, and collaboration with the Trinity Centre for Gender Equality and Leadership (TCGEL) have all contributed to creating a more inclusive environment for women pursuing studies in engineering.
Student-led initiatives have also played an important role. The Female Engineering Mentorship (FEM) group, founded by Trinity graduates Anneliese Walsh and Louise McKiernan, continues to provide mentorship, community, and inspiration through workshops, speaker events, and peer support for women at all stages of their engineering studies.
The leadership of Trinity’s first female Provost, Dr Linda Doyle, appointed in 2021, has further reinforced the visibility of women in engineering. With her background in engineering research, Dr Doyle’s position at the head of the university serves as a powerful example of representation and possibility within the field.
While no single factor explains this progress, the collective impact of inclusive policies, community initiatives, and visible role models has clearly made a difference. The School of Engineering remains committed to fostering an environment where all students, regardless of gender, can thrive, contribute, and lead in shaping the future of engineering.
Founded by Trinity graduates Anneliese Walsh and Louise McKiernan, FEM supports women in engineering through guest lectures, workshops, and peer mentoring. The group’s mission is to build a supportive community that empowers female engineers to achieve their full potential within academia and industry.
Located in the heart of Dublin city, Trinity College Dublin has been at the forefront of Irish educational excellence for more than four hundred years. Today, it’s ranked as Ireland’s number one university, providing a variety of courses across the Arts & Humanities, Business, Law, Engineering, Science and Health Sciences.
