Breaking Boundaries: Exploring gender barriers in Irish higher education through a chronological review of change

This article provides a chronological review of changes in Irish higher education directed towards achieving gender equality. It reviews literature and policy on gender equality in Ireland and internationally, focusing on how Irish higher education is changing with the emergence of Technological Universities. The review draws together and analyses key changes, contributing to the growing knowledge on gender barriers in Irish higher education institutions, and providing a context for further research. The review highlights implications for the future development of gender equality interventions and initiatives. The article concludes that leaders in Irish higher education institutions need greater awareness of the relationships between gender equality and progression of female staff, and a flexible template should be developed for Irish higher education institutions based on their capacities to develop further gender equality interventions and initiatives.