Former Limerick Leader journalist and lecturer awarded doctoral degree

FROM the newsroom to the classroom, Limerick journalist and lecturer Kathryn Hayes joined a group of her students last Tuesday, as she received her doctoral title.

Originally from Ennis Road, Kathryn began her career in journalism in 1998 at the Limerick Leader, working under the guidance of editor Brendan Halligan and news editor Jimmy Woulfe.

"The leader has a very special place in my heart," she smiled, "it's where I had my first job after college, and now where so many of my UL Journalism graduates are now working."

Her passion then led her to the news editor role of the Evening Echo, and later into freelancing for many national outlets, including The Irish Times where she experienced first-hand the demanding nature of the profession.

However, she decided to explore the world of academia, and, in 2016, and after almost two decades in journalism, Kathryn joined the University of Limerick as a lecturer.

Eager to continue her journey in academia, she pushed herself to pursue a PhD titled, “Labouring the News: An Exploration of Working Conditions in Journalism”.

In Pictures: More photos from the University of Limerick graduations

Her research focuses on the often-overlooked aspect of journalism: the working conditions of journalists.

In her research, Kathryn examined the challenges faced by freelance journalists, shedding light on the precarious nature of their work, while also exploring the stress and burnout experienced by full-time journalists, challenging the notion of job security.

From a homelife point of view, she couldn't have done it on her own, her husband had "the hardest job" at home "rearing three boisterous boys," while waiting for a successful kidney transplant, which the family are extremely grateful for. Kathryn adds: "Dave is doing extremely well for many years and we are so grateful to the family who made this happen. We have seen first hand just how important organ donation is." 

Kathryn believes her lifestyle has moulded her into a natural multitasker, somehow finding ways to balance her roles as lecturer, researcher, journalist, daughter, mother, and wife.

A self-titled “juggling act,” she recounts tales of her early reporting career while having three children under two. “When I had my first child, I'd have him sitting on my lap as I was typing,” she laughed, “and with the twins, I had a double-buggy I'd bring along to council events.”

Of her parents, Kathryn says: “My mother, Margaret Hayes, she worked in UL for 35 years as a librarian, so it was a very proud day for her, and my father Barry.”

Looking to the future, the now Dr Kathyrn Hayes will continue her research as it gains national recognition, all the while educating the reporters of tomorrow.