Minister Heydon presents Women in Agriculture Studies Excellence Award
- Published on: 27 March 2025
- Last updated on: 15 April 2025
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, today presented the Women in Agriculture Studies Excellence Award to Ruth Connolly, a final year PhD student in Animal Science at UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science (SAFS).
The award which is sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine acknowledges and recognises females innovating and excelling in the agri-food sector.
Ruth Connolly was selected by the evaluation committee in recognition of her work ethic, engagement with the programme and her academic achievements. The committee also acknowledged her ongoing contribution to gender equality, inclusion, and empowerment within the SAFS and the wider UCD and external communities.
Ruth Connolly, who is from Galway, graduated from UCD with a First-Class Honours degree in Animal Science in August 2020 and embarked on her PhD in Animal Science in September 2021. Her research programme is focused on identifying feeding strategies and feed additives for the diets of weaned pigs which improve thrive, gut function and digestive health.
Presenting the award, Minister Heydon said:
“I would like to congratulate Ruth Connolly on being awarded the Women in Agriculture Studies Excellence Award. This award is just one way in which we can acknowledge and promote the involvement of exceptional women and young girls who can become mentors and role models for future generations of women in agriculture.
“The award aims to improve the status of women in the agricultural sector, contributing to a more inclusive future for the sector. It is appropriate that this award is presented during UCD’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion week. As we reflect on the importance of diversity, equality and inclusion, we acknowledge the achievements of women in agriculture, and we are honouring those who inspire change and pave the way for a better future.”
The Women in Agriculture Studies Excellence Award aligns with the objectives of the department’s Women in Agriculture Action Plan and with the UCD SAFS recent commitment to recognise such student achievements. SAFS recently achieved an Athena Swan Silver Award, the first School in UCD to do so, in recognition of its promotion of gender equality within its staff and student community, and recognition of student contribution is at the core of those efforts.
Notes
A National Dialogue on Women in Agriculture with the theme of “Improving Gender Balance in the Agri-Food Sector” took place on 1 February 2023. The dialogue provided an opportunity for stakeholders to explore gender equality in agriculture and how to increase the visibility and status of women in agriculture and the agri-food sector.
The outcomes and recommendations were compiled into a report and Action Plan covering a wide range of areas, all of which are important to the successful achievement of gender balance within the agriculture sector in Ireland. The Action Plan is being implemented by the Women in Agriculture Working Group made up of sector stakeholders.
Action 7 of the Action Plan called for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to consider sponsoring an Award within an existing award programme(s) to acknowledge and recognise those who are leading the way in the Agri-food sector. The “Women in Agriculture Studies Excellence Award”, in the amount of €2,500, is a joint initiative between DAFM and UCD SAFS.
Image caption
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, and Ruth Connolly.