Book Launch: Bridging the Gender Pay Gap through Transparency
Dr Sara Benedí Lahuerta speaking at the book launch in MoLI
Our colleague, Dr Sara Benedí Lahuerta’s book: Bridging the Gender Pay Gap through Transparency: Comparative Approaches and Key Regulatory Conundrums (Edward Elgar, 2024) was recently launched in the Museum of Literature Ireland. Dr Benedí Lahuerta co-edited the book with Katharina Miller (Instituto de Empresa), and Professor Laura Carlson (Stockholm University).
The event brought together leading figures from academia, politics, and civil society to examine the potential—and limits—of pay transparency legislation to address gender-based pay inequality. The keynote address was delivered by Ivana Bacik TD, a key advocate for introducing pay transparency in Ireland. A panel discussion followed, featuring Prof. Mark Bell (facilitator), Adjunct Prof. Anthony Kerr SC, Assoc. Prof. Sara O’Sullivan, and Dr. Salome Mbugua. Attendees included several of the book authors, like Dr. Suzanne Carthy and Dr. Christine Aumayr-Pintar, and one of the foreword authors, Mr. Stefan Cross KC.
(L to R) Ivana Bacik TD, Dr. Salome Mbugua, Prof Sara O’Sullivan Prof Mark Bell, Adjunct Prof Anthony Kerr SC
Speakers explored the origins of pay transparency legislation in Ireland, the challenges of implementing meaningful reporting and enforcement mechanisms, and the potential and limitations of the 2023 EU Pay Transparency Directive. The discussion also highlighted the importance of addressing intersectional pay discrimination, particularly for migrant and racialised women.
The event was sponsored by the UCD Centre for Common Law in Europe and supported by the UCD Equality Studies Centre and the UCD Geary Institute for Public Policy.