EARMA’s First Female Chairperson

31st May 2017

Posted In: FYI

The European Association of Research Managers Administrators (EARMA) has recently announced the appointment of Sharon Bailey, as its first ever woman elected as Chairperson to the board of EARMA.

Sharon Bailey, Director of Research Finance & Operations in University College Dublin (UCD),  leads research contract negotiation, grant registration and internal funding schemes within UCD. She is also responsible for the financial management of the UCD Research Support Unit and the University’s Research Institutes. Sharon was Head of the Research Services Office from 2011-2015 covering opportunity identification & communication and proposal preparation support & review. In late 2011, she set-up a dedicated EU Research Office, to increase UCD’s participation in European research funding.

Sharon is a qualified member of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (FCCA) with over 25 years’ experience working in public & private, large and complex organisations. She is also a qualified member of the Irish Taxation Institute (AITI) and has a masters in Organisational Behaviour (Msc. Mgmt.) awarded by Trinity College Dublin.

Prior to joining UCD, Sharon spent 8 years as Director of Finance & Business Planning in the Irish Blood Transfusion Service. This was a busy and demanding financial role, with a team of 25 and annual turnover of approx. €100M. Sharon’s earlier career included accountancy positions in The Irish Aviation Authority, Agfa Typography Ltd. and Irish Life Assurance PLC.

Sharon was elected as a board member of EARMA in July 2013 and took up the role as Treasurer. She will take up the role of Chair of the EARMA Board in September 2017.