Abstract
RISE (Review of Irish Studies in Europe) 8.1
Book Review by Curt Rice US Norway Fulbright Foundation of Pat O'Connor's A 'Proper' Woman? One Woman's Story of Success and Failure in Academia (Bern and London: Peter Lang, 2024), 223 pp., ISBN: 978-1-80374-305-9, €32.60
Pat O'Connor's memoir is deeply personal and powerful. It recounts her life in academia, from her start as a contract research assistant to becoming a professor and dean. Along the way, she encountered, endured and ultimately challenged and changed the systemic inequities of male-dominated academic institutions. This is a book about persistence, resilience and a refusal to conform. It is also a book about what it means to succeed —and to fail— in a world where the odds are often stacked against women. O'Connor inspires us through unflinching honesty about the barriers she faced and the toll that breaking them down exacted. Her sharp wit makes the book an engaging read, even as it tackles serious issues. This blend of gravity
and humour is one of the book's great strengths. It reflects the balancing act that women in academia —and surely in many other professions—often have to perform.
Book Review by Curt Rice US Norway Fulbright Foundation of Pat O'Connor's A 'Proper' Woman? One Woman's Story of Success and Failure in Academia (Bern and London: Peter Lang, 2024), 223 pp., ISBN: 978-1-80374-305-9, €32.60
Pat O'Connor's memoir is deeply personal and powerful. It recounts her life in academia, from her start as a contract research assistant to becoming a professor and dean. Along the way, she encountered, endured and ultimately challenged and changed the systemic inequities of male-dominated academic institutions. This is a book about persistence, resilience and a refusal to conform. It is also a book about what it means to succeed —and to fail— in a world where the odds are often stacked against women. O'Connor inspires us through unflinching honesty about the barriers she faced and the toll that breaking them down exacted. Her sharp wit makes the book an engaging read, even as it tackles serious issues. This blend of gravity
and humour is one of the book's great strengths. It reflects the balancing act that women in academia —and surely in many other professions—often have to perform.
| Original language | English (Ireland) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-3 |
| Journal | Review of Irish Studies in Europe (RISE) |
| Volume | 8.1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 18 Aug 2025 |
