Fiona Buckley

Fiona Buckley is a Lecturer in the Department of Government and Politics at University College Cork (UCC), specializing in women in politics, gender quotas, and electoral integrity. She holds a PhD in Political Science from Queen's University Belfast and completed postgraduate studies in Government and Teaching at UCC. Her research focuses on gender and politics, particularly in Ireland, with a strong emphasis on feminist institutionalism and the implementation of gender quotas.

Education:

• PhD in Political Science (2016), Queen's University Belfast
• MSc by Research in Government (UCC)
• BComm (UCC)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (UCC)

Research Interests: Fiona's work examines women's political representation, gendered political violence, electoral integrity, and pedagogical innovations in political science education. She co-leads international projects like the Cost of Doing Politics (examining gendered political violence) and has authored/co-authored books such as Gendered Power: Women, Gender and Cabinet Government in Ireland.

Awards & Recognition:

• 2024 Elizabeth Meehan Prize (PSAI)
• 2010 PSAI Teaching and Learning Award
• UCC President’s Award for Innovation in Teaching (2013)
• Visiting Fellowships at the University of Sydney and University of Malta

Grants & Projects: Fiona has secured funding for projects including the Research Council of Norway-funded Cost of Doing Politics (€1.1M), the Electoral Integrity Project, and the 5050 Group advocating for gender quotas. She has also advised parliamentary committees and governments on electoral reforms and women's political participation.

Teaching & Outreach: She established UCC's government work placement program, including the Albany Work Placement Programme in New York State. Fiona is actively involved in mentoring students and promoting experiential learning.