Former president to join University of Glasgow

A former Irish president who played a major role in the Northern Ireland peace process is set to join the teaching staff at the University of Glasgow.

Mary McAleese, will take up her position as Professor of Children, Law and Religion in the current academic year.

McAleese was President of Ireland from 1997 to 2011 and spent years campaigning for social justice prior to her presidency as co-founder of Belfast Women's Aid, the Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform, the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas and co-chair of the Working Party on Sectarianism.

She trained as a barrister and journalist and was formerly Reid Professor of Criminal Law, Criminology and Penology at Trinity College Dublin and Pro-Vice Chancellor at Queen's University of Belfast.

Since 2013, McAleese has taught courses in various higher educational institutions on children rights, gender and LGBT rights in international law.

McAleese said: “Joining the University of Glasgow opens up exciting prospects for collaboration in teaching and research on the subjects of children, law and religion.

“The university has a culture of innovation and cross disciplinary engagement which augurs well for fresh and fascinating scholarly initiatives in these fields. I am looking forward to being part of these developments.”

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Professor Mary McAleese is joining the University of Glasgow.

“As well as being well known on the international stage, she is an accomplished academic with vast experience in her field. I have no doubt her insights and wisdom will be of great benefit to our students and staff.”

McAleese was President of Ireland for two terms and is the first to have come from Northern Ireland.

Her work for peace and reconciliation culminated in the historic state visit to the Republic of Ireland by the Queen in May 2011.