From cybersecurity to healthcare, female participants in UL’s DEng programme are using industry-based research to transform their careers and organisations.

In 2020, University of Limerick (UL) launched the world’s first doctoral level apprenticeship, the Principal Engineer Professional Doctorate (DEng). Designed to combine rigorous academic research with real world application, the programme is opening new career pathways for professionals across STEM.

While not designed specifically for women, the DEng has created significant opportunities for female leaders. From healthcare to cybersecurity, participants are driving innovation, expanding their networks, and climbing the career ladder. 

'Multiple pathways into leadership'

Professor Ann Ledwith, interim provost and deputy president at UL, says the programme demonstrates how executive apprenticeships can reshape careers in STEM.

“This programme has demonstrated that executive apprenticeships can create multiple pathways into leadership roles in STEM," she said. "For women, it offers not just an opportunity to advance their careers but to influence the culture of industry and academia. The DEng exemplifies UL’s commitment to lifelong learning, industry partnership, and gender equity in education.”

Progression and impact

When first profiled, Claire Monahan was a senior engineer at Johnson and Johnson beginning her doctoral journey. She is now staff manufacturing engineer and says the DEng has been transformative.

“Participating in the doctoral programme profoundly elevated my research capabilities and deepened my respect for academic rigour," she said. "It encouraged me to pay meticulous attention to detail while also illuminating the reasons behind unsuccessful approaches. Completing the DEng further refined my ability to address complex business challenges and foster innovative solutions.”

She added that the programme also strengthened her professional network: “This experience allowed me to cultivate meaningful relationships with faculty and fellow researchers, significantly enriching my professional network.”

Ruth Buckley, who was at the start of her research when last featured, has since advanced in public sector cybersecurity and highlights the value of the structured approach.

“I found the structured approach in the first two years extremely helpful and it provided a comprehensive foundation in all research related subjects," she said. "The formalised annual assessments by experts in both industry and academia encourage an ambitious but achievable, consistent 'stretch'. The support of UL’s DEng programme office is very important and there was always someone to answer a query.”

For Buckley, the DEng has opened doors beyond her expectations: “I found my experience to be personally and professionally enriching, and it has opened up new horizons and experiences I would never have been able to access otherwise. The professional DEng programme allowed me to leverage the extensive experience I have from my career to make a formal contribution both to academic knowledge and organisational practices. Not bad for 4.5 years.”

Redefining doctoral study

The Doctorate of Engineering Apprenticeship allows professionals to remain in their roles while conducting doctoral level research. This embedded model means participants solve real-world problems for their organisations while adding new knowledge to the wider STEM field.

For women in STEM, the flexibility and real-world focus of the DEng make progression more achievable, and the results are already visible. Graduates are moving into leadership roles, delivering innovation, and proving that UL’s doctoral apprenticeship is not just further study but a launchpad for long term career success.

For further information about the principal engineer doctorate or any of our higher-level apprenticeships, please email apprenticeships@ul.ie.