Nicola Sturgeon to deliver keynote lecture in Ireland next week

Olivia Kelleher

Former First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon is due to deliver a lecture at University College Cork (UCC) next Monday in which she will explore her career in politics and public service.

The first woman and longest-serving First Minister of Scotland, Sturgeon was a defining figure in Scottish and UK politics during a decade shaped by Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic and a period that saw five different UK prime ministers.

Elected First Minister in November 2014, she led Scotland until March 2023.

Before becoming First Minister, Sturgeon served as Deputy Leader of the Scottish National Party and played a central role in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum campaign.

As a senior figure in the Yes campaign, she helped bring Scotland to the brink of independence, leading the national conversation on constitutional change and Scotland’s future.

Born in Irvine in 1970, she joined the SNP at 16 and has been active in public life ever since.

A qualified solicitor, she worked at Drumchapel Law Centre before being elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999 as a representative for Glasgow.

She later won the Glasgow Govan constituency in 2007 and subsequently represented Glasgow Southside.

Sturgeon will be delivering the 26th Annual Philip Monahan Memorial Lecture.

Ireland’s first local authority manager. Monahan served as City Commissioner and later City Manager in Cork from 1924 to 1959, shaping the development of modern public administration in Ireland.

Dr Aodh Quinlivan, UCC Department of Government and Politics, said that they are honoured to welcome Nicola Sturgeon to UCC.

“As one of the most prominent political leaders in Europe in recent years, her experience at the highest levels of government offers a unique opportunity for students to engage directly with a leader who has navigated complex constitutional, social and economic challenges. It promises to be an insightful and thought-provoking occasion.”

The lecture will take place at noon on Monday in the Aula Maxima, UCC.

The event is free of charge, but prior registration is required. It can be obtained by emailing Government@ucc.ie.