THE TECHNOLOGICAL University of the Shannon (TUS) is one of the institutions behind a first-of-its-kind all-island research consortium to examine and tackle the gender gap in sport and health science.
The cross-university research consortium, named Míde, aims to understand and improve the health, wellbeing, participation, and performance of girls and women in and through sport and physical activity.
The consortium was officially launched last week at the Women in Sport and Exercise Conference at Glasson Lake House, County Westmeath, and was attended by over 180 academics, researchers, and key opinion leaders.
Attendees heard from leading Irish and international researchers, with keynotes from Professor Elizabeth Pike, Professor Anthony Hackney, Dr Patricia Jackman, and former international rugby player for Ireland and director with Sport Ireland, Nora Stapleton.
‘Míde’, derived from the old Irish word ’míd’, meaning middle or centre, consists of researchers from nine higher education institutions from across the country and is chaired by representatives from Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Dublin City University (DCU), Ulster University and Atlantic Technological University (ATU).
Only six per cent of research in sport and exercise science globally focuses on women and girls, presenting a significant gender data gap.
Míde research aims to address this by taking a holistic view of the various factors in girls’ and women’s lives that may act as barriers when it comes to engagement in physical activity, sport and exercise across the lifespan, including at key stages such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.
Speaking at the event Dr Aoife Lane, lead of SHE Research Centre at TUS and co-chair of Míde said: “With a growing commitment to women’s sport and health, reflected in dedicated strategies, policies, and initiatives, there is an urgent need to harness current research opportunities and shape the research agenda of the future in a coordinated, strategic, and impactful approach.”
“Míde represents an exciting and novel initiative for the academic community across the island. Members of the SHE Research Centre in TUS through Dr Niamh Ní Chéilleachair and Dr Emma Cowley, are at the forefront of this new consortium, working to develop collaborations and build projects that bring additional research funding and opportunities to TUS.
“Now is the time to unite and amplify our efforts, driving meaningful change for women and girls in, and through sport, exercise, and physical activity.”
