‘proper’ woman? One woman’s story of success and failure in academia

Pat O’Connor is an emeritus Professor of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Limerick, and Visiting Professor, Geary Institute, University College Dublin. She was the first woman full Professor of Sociology in Ireland; and the first full female Professor and faculty Dean in the University of Limerick. She has published 120 academic publications including eight books.

'a fascinating, well-paced, beautifully written memoir' (Professor Sarah Moore, Author and Director, MA in Creative Writing, University of Limerick, Ireland)‘A wonderfully honest, often witty, personal account from someone who experienced discrimination -and challenged it - at every level of academia. So much of what has changed for women in recent decades is chronicled through Pat's life, research and actions. A tour de force’ (Micheline Sheehy Skeffington, plant ecologist and feminist activist)‘This book evokes the lived experience of a woman who, out of her time, marshalled the brains, the courage and--I have to say it--the sheer bloody-minded and tireless determination to confront others with one question: 'why?'. Asking the question came at no small personal cost, but--slowly and surely--it started to prise open some of the seemingly impenetrable male-centric power edifices that exist across academia; openings which now give so many others hope. Don't be afraid of reading this book about the lifetime of someone who asked why, it may just inspire you to do the same’. (Paul Walton, Professor of Chemistry, University of York, UK and international gender equality advocate) An incredibly important and beautifully written account of perseverance and passion by one of the pioneers of research on gender in academia. In this book, Pat O’Connor continues to inspire new generations of feminist scholars and academic leaders with her honest and intimate story of her own gendered career path (Marieke van den Brink, Professor Gender & Diversity Studies, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands) A ‘Proper’ Woman is a beautiful, beautifully grounded, and often moving and inspiring, text – combining (auto)biography, life writing, life story, story-telling, an accounting of a career, and a case study of a woman, and women, in and around the university world, and beyond. The book contributes to and across several areas, including Studies of Higher Education, Gender Studies, and Critical Studies on Men and Masculinities; it has been a personal privilege to read it (Jeff Hearn, Hanken School of Economics, Finland; author of: Age at Work; Knowledge, Power and Young Sexualities; and Men of the World).

• Contents: Like Dolmens round my childhood … sometimes – Making and not making choices – Coming home – Success? – Ten years in Management – Back to being a full- time professor again … – Reflections.