The Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT; ) is a trade union representing university staff, including lecturers, postdoctoral researchers, tutors, librarians and other grades in Ireland.
The union originated among a group of teachers at Maynooth College, who met informally from 1962 to 1964. In 1965, they formed the IFUT, and held its first general meeting in 1966.Patrick J. Corish, Maynooth College, 1795-1995, p.405 Among the founder members was Kader Asmal, who also founded and led the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement."Kader Asmal", Irish Independent, 26 June 2011
By the time the union registered, in 1970, it had fifty members at universities in Ireland. It grew rapidly, and by 2005 had around 1,700 members.Arthur Marsh and John B. Smethurst, Historical Directory of Trade Unions, vol.5, p.415 The union is affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Education International and the European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers (Eurodoc).
Leadership General Secretaries 1975: Kieran Mulvey 1980: Daltún Ó Ceallaigh 2007: Mike Jennings 2017: Joan Donegan 2021: Frank Jones
Originally the general secretary was termed the executive secretary.
Chairmen and Presidents 1965: J. J. Morrissey (UCD) 1968: Thomas Desmond Williams (UCD) 1969: George Dawson (TCD) 1970: Sean Lavelle (UCG) 1971: Robin Dudley Edwards (UCD) 1972: Enda McDonagh (Maynooth) 1974: Kader Asmal (TCD) 1975: Seosamh Hanly (UCD) 1977: Patrick J. O'Flynn (UCD) 1979: John L'Estrange 1980: Fergus Lalor (UCC) 1981: Bernard McCartan (TCD) 1983: Keith Warnock (UCG) 1985: John T. Lewis (DIAS) 1987: Garrett Barden (UCC) 1989: Caroline Hussey (UCD) 1992: Anne Clune (TCD) 1994: Eugene Wall (MICL) 1997: Maureen Killeavy (UCD) 2001: Pat Burke (SPD) 2003: Brendán Ó Cochláin] (NUIG) 2006: Joe Brady (UCD) 2010: Hugh Gibbons (TCD) 2011: Marie Clarke (UCD) 2013: Rose Malone (Maynooth) 2015: Michael Delargey (UCC) 2017: Aidan Seery (TCD) 2019: Angela Flynn (UCC) 2021: Anthony Harvey (RIA)
The role was termed chairman from 1965-1972 and president from 1972 to present.
References
Further reading Marie Coleman, IFUT - A History: The Irish Federation of University Teachers 1963-99