Diversity in politics | The politics of diversity Panel Discussion
Diversity in politics | The politics of diversity Panel Discussion
October 13 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm IST
This panel discussion looks at how political systems reflect or fail to reflect the diversity of the societies they serve.
The discussion features Professor Pauline Cullen, Professor of Sociology, Maynooth University and Professor Tània Verge Mestre, Full Professor of Politics and Gender, Pompeu Fabra University, and former Minister of Equality and Feminisms in the Catalan government, moderated by Hugh Linehan, Irish Times. Presented as part of the 2026-2027 Royal Irish Academy (RIA) Discourse Series focused on the theme of ‘Diversity’ in its many forms.
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Speakers
Professor Pauline Cullen, Professor of Sociology, Maynooth University
Professor Tània Verge Mestre, Full Professor of Politics and Gender, Pompeu Fabra University, and former Minister of Equality and Feminisms in the Catalan government
Event moderator: Hugh Linehan, Irish Times writer and Duty Editor. Presenter of the weekly Inside Politics podcast
Full Event Details
The Royal Irish Academy’s discourses are the oldest and most renowned series of talks in Ireland. The first discourses were presented in 1786. Historically, Academy discourses were the occasion reserved for the most distinguished academics to first reveal and discuss their research in public. Continuing in this tradition, the Discourse Series brings international experts to the Academy to discuss important contemporary issues in front of a live audience. The 2026/27 Discourse Series will focus on the theme of ‘diversity’ in its many forms, looking at how diversity shapes research, politics, identity, environmental resilience, biodiversity, and language.
This panel discussion looks at how political systems reflect or fail to reflect the diversity of the societies they serve.
We are pleased to announce that Hazel Chu will deliver the opening remarks to set the context this discussion. Hazel is the first Irish-born person of Chinese descent elected to political office on the island of Ireland, the first person of colour to serve as Lord Mayor of Dublin, and the first person of Chinese ethnicity to be mayor of a European capital city.
Eolas faoi Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann
Is cumann léannta neamhspleách, uile-oileáin é Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann, a bunaíodh sa bhliain 1785. Tacaíonn an tAcadamh le scoláireacht agus taighde sna heolaíochtaí, sna daonnachtaí agus sna heolaíochtaí sóisialta. Tá tuairim is 680 comhalta tofa ann agus 80 ball foirne, agus déanann siad ionadaíocht ar son na hÉireann go hidirnáisiúnta, cuireann siad comhairle shaineolach ar fáil don rialtas, déanann siad taighde, déanann siad deontais taighde a riaradh, eagraíonn siad comhdhálacha agus léachtaí poiblí, cuireann siad leabhair agus irisí acadúla i gcló, agus déanann siad cúram de leabharlann taighde.
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Tabhair faoi deara:Ba cheart go mbainfeá an tAcadamh (19 Sráid Dhásain) amach faoi 5:50in ar a dhéanaí chun a chinntiú go mbeidh gach éinne socraithe sula gcuirfear tús leis an imeacht ar 6:00in. Ní ligfear isteach daoine a bheidh déanach.
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About the Royal Irish Academy
The Royal Irish Academy (RIA), established in 1785, is an all-island, independent learned society and academic body that champions research by supporting and promoting scholarship in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. Its elected membership of approximately 680 individuals and 80 staff represent Ireland internationally, provide expert advice to government, carry out research, administer research grants, organise conferences and public lectures, publish academic books and journals, and maintain a research library.
Please note:We ask that you arrive to the Royal Irish Academy (19 Dawson Street) no later than 5:50pm so that we can ensure everyone is seated before the event begins at 6:00pm. Late-comers will not be admitted.
Access requirements
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Speaker Biographies:
Professor Pauline Cullen, Professor of Sociology, Maynooth University
My work examines civil society mobilization on social justice and gender equality at national and European Union level, women’s movements and gender and political representation. I have also worked as a gender expert for advocacy organisations working on gender justice and equality issues and have supervised postgraduate student research on the mobilization of sexual minorities in Ireland and ethnic minority women and gender roles.
Professor Tània Verge Mestre, Full Professor of Politics and Gender, Pompeu Fabra University, and former Minister of Equality in the Catalan government
I am Full Professor of Politics and Gender at the Department of Political and Social Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), where I led the Equality Unit between 2014 and 2021 and coordinated the Minor in Gender Studies. Between May 2021 and August 2024, I was the minister of Equality and Feminisms of the Government of Catalonia, and between May 2024 and January 2026 I was an elected MP in the Parliament of Catalonia. My main area of research is gender and politics, with focus on how political parties and parliaments are patterned through gender and on resistance to the adoption and implementation of equality policies. My professional portfolio is grounded in feminist political science in terms of research, teaching, academic service, consulting services for both national and international institutions and organisations, collaboration with social movement organisations, and knowledge transfer activities. Yes, “the personal is political”. So the transformation of unequal power relations and, more broadly, societal change, are also part of my academic work.
Hugh Linehan
Hugh Linehan is a duty editor, leader writer and podcaster at The Irish Times. He presents the weekly ‘Inside Politics’ podcast. He writes a weekly media column as well as contributing regularly on politics, culture and technology. He presents The Irish Times’s Inside Politics podcast and has previously held the positions of features editor, online editor and arts & culture editor.
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