Brigid Laffan
Brigid Laffan in 2015

Brigid Laffan is an Irish political scientist and Emeritus professor at Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute.[1] Politico Europe ranked her among women who shape Europe in November 2018.[2] She has been Chancellor of the University of Limerick since November 2023.

Education

Laffan graduated in 1977 from National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE).[3] After graduating, Laffan became a research co-ordinator at the College of Europe in Bruges.

Career

In 2013, Laffan joined the European University Institute in Florence, where she was appointed as Director of the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies.[3] She retired from the role in August 2021.[1] Laffan was previously Professor of European Politics in University College Dublin. She spoke up about structural discrimination of women in academia.[4] On 2 November 2023, the University of Limerick approved Laffan as Chancellor, and chair of its governing body.[5][6]

Awards

Laffan has been awarded numerous awards for her professional achievements,[7] including:

Personal life

Laffan was married to the businessman Michael Laffan, whom she met as a student. They had three children.[3] Her husband died tragically in January 2022.[8]

Other activities

References

  1. ^ a b "Brigid Laffan". European University Institute. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Women who shape Brussels - class of 2018". No. November 2018. Politico.eu. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Brigid Laffan". University of Limerick. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  4. ^ "Interview: Brigid Laffan on 'Europe in the World: The Emergence of Collective Power Europe'". Opinio Juris (blog). 17 May 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  5. ^ Redmond, Siadbh (2 November 2023). "New chancellor voted in at University of Limerick". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  6. ^ "University of Limerick Governing Authority unanimously approves Professor Brigid Laffan as new chancellor". University of Limerick. University of Limerick. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Brigid Laffan". SASE. Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  8. ^ O'Brien, Tim (14 May 2022). "Brigid Laffan recalls 'unimaginable' trauma of husband's death". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  9. ^ Franziska Brantner, Susan Danger, Brigid Laffan, Alexander Stubb and Nathalie Tocci join EPC Governing Board European Policy Centre (EPC), press release of March 29, 2021.
  10. ^ Board of Trustees Hertie School.
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