Madam, - Recent reports and correspondence have expressed anxiety about the future of women's studies at NUI Galway. It is necessary now to state, and firmly put on the record, that women's studies is not closing at this university. Rather, the discipline is assured of the resources to grow in strength and range. This has been achieved after 15 months of full consultation and discussion.
The new affiliation of women's studies with the department of political science and sociology is in line with arrangements already in place in other universities both in Ireland and abroad. The traditional interdisciplinary work of women's studies will also benefit from proximity to new research programmes.
NUI Galway will now advertise two appointments to provide academic leadership in women's studies, with particular reference to research in public policy, gender, inequality and power.
Such a large investment can only be based on new strategies: to this end we are introducing a new BA programme with women's studies and establishing new research clusters.
Women's studies is re-locating from its house outside the campus into a dedicated and integrated space at the heart of a vibrant teaching and research environment. New and existing staff will continue to develop the links between women's studies in the university and the wider community.
Every care has been taken to ensure that publication of the Irish Feminist Review is not interrupted during this period of change and expansion. - Yours, etc,
Prof KEVIN BARRY, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, NUI Galway.