Award winning writer to speak on Leeside

Those were the words of award winning writer Mary Ann Sieghart who will be the keynote speaker at an upcoming event from Network Ireland Cork and Mná@UCC.

The event will take place in UCC on St Brigid’s Day, 1 February, and will comprise of a morning workshop followed by a keynote speaking event that evening. At the workshop, Mary Ann will give an introductory talk about what the authority gap is and what behaviour it engenders. This will be followed by an interactive session with Mary Ann where participants are encouraged to share their own experiences.

Mary Ann said: “Women’s networks like Network Ireland and Mná@UCC are important forums, and I look forward to discussing the authority gap with such a wide range of women in business and academia.”

Network Cork President Ingrid Seim said: “Knowledge is empowering. Without fully understanding the root causes behind the gender gaps we will never be able to tackle them. Mary Ann Sieghart’s thorough research provides so many answers, and solutions, to this issue, and we are delighted that she is coming to Cork to share her insights.”

The evening event will commence with a welcome address by President of UCC, Prof. John O’Halloran. Mary Ann will then discuss her best-selling book ‘The Authority Gap’ with the President of Mná@UCC, Dr Siobhán Lucey and the President of Network Cork, Ingrid Seim followed by an audience Q&A session to conclude the evening.

Dr Siobhán Lucey said: “Women in academia and business (and many other fields) are only too familiar with the authority gap. For those who are still sceptical or unaware of it, Mary Ann’s book is a must read and provides an insightful and evidence base account. For the first joint Mná@UCC and Network Cork event, we are delighted to discuss the gap further with Mary Ann in Cork and to explore the measures that we can all begin to take to narrow it.”