Game designer sues University of Limerick for discrimination

AN internationally renowned games designer has initiated High Court proceedings against the University of Limerick, alleging the university subjected her to unlawful gender discrimination.

Brenda Romero, a Bafta-award winning game designer originally from New York, has filed High Court proceedings against UL that claim she was subjected to unlawful gender discrimination and that the university breached its obligation under the Universities Act.

An application for damages and losses in relation to her professional reputation has also been submitted, the Leader understands. 

Highly respected for her design work on 47 video games, Ms Romero was previously given a Fulbright scholarship to study the fledgling gaming industry in Ireland. She moved to Ireland with her family in 2015. 

She co-owns Romero Games based in Galway. During the course of her career Ms Romero has received a Bafta special award for her work and has been named as one of the most influential women working in the industry. 

She began working with the University of Limerick in 2017 in the Faculty of Science and Engineering where she was involved with the MSc in Game Design and Development. 

Louise Howard, Ms Romero’s Galway-based solicitor said: “Brenda is a longtime, tireless advocate of women and girls in STEM and has won awards for her work in this regard. For my client, this matter is of the utmost importance.” 

When contacted for a statement, a UL spokesperson said: “UL takes a firm stand against discrimination of any kind, and all members of the UL community of staff and students are encouraged to report any instances of discrimination of any kind, that they may witness or encounter.” 

“UL has long been a leader across Irish higher education institutions with the highest percentage of female professors of any HEI at 33% and as one of the two first institutions in Ireland to be granted Athena Swan Bronze award in 2015 for advancing gender equality.”