Dr. Dympna O’Sullivan, TU Dublin, was invited to speak at the Connecting Women in Digital event in Brussels last week as part of celebrations marking International Women’s Day. The gathering brought together policymakers, industry leaders and researchers to discuss the next Women in Digital Declaration, a key European initiative aimed at accelerating gender equality in the digital sector.
Representing Technological University Dublin and the wider university sector, Dympna contributed to discussions on how Europe can increase the participation of girls and women in information and communication technologies (ICT). The event focused on practical actions needed to strengthen inclusion across Europe’s rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.
From a research and education perspective, universities were highlighted as playing a central role in delivering Europe’s Digital Skills Agenda. Participants stressed that higher education institutions are critical in preparing the next generation of digital talent and ensuring that opportunities in technology are accessible to a diverse range of students.
The discussions will help inform recommendations for the new declaration ahead of the Women in Digital Summit in Ireland in October 2026 as part of Irish EU Presidency.
The event also saw strong engagement from European policymakers, including Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, and Elena Sancho Murillo, Member of the European Parliament.
Insights from the discussions will help inform recommendations for the next Women in Digital Declaration ahead of the Women in Digital Summit, scheduled to take place in Ireland in October 2026 as part of the country’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.
