Excellence is Everywhere; Opportunity is Not
Dublin-based Professor Katriona O’Sullivan joins us in Manchester to explore how social structures, policy, and support networks shape opportunity. Challenging assumptions on meritocracy and resilience, Katriona will discuss the evidence from her academic research and lived experience revealing that talent alone is insufficient to overcome systemic barriers. Her talk will seek to inspire thinking on creating societies and environments where all individuals have the chance to reach their potential.
About Katriona O’Sullivan
Professor Katriona O’Sullivan is a psychologist and a leading researcher on educational inequality based in Ireland. Her work focuses on trauma, access to education, and social mobility, and she has published in top international journals, including Nature.
She is the founder of the STEM Passport for Inclusion, a programme that has helped thousands of young people from under-represented communities pursue higher education and STEM careers. Katriona’s research bridges academia, policy, and practice, and she regularly advises governments and institutions in the UK, Ireland, and internationally on inclusive education.
Katriona’s first book, Poor, was a monumental success in Ireland and the UK. It was the no 1 nonfiction bestseller in Ireland for 54 weeks and spent over three years in the Irish Top 10. It’s been translated into multiple languages and was named Biography of the Year by the Irish Book Awards. On Amazon, Poor has a whopping 4.6 rating with over 11,000 reviews; on Goodreads a 4.6 rating with over 18,000 reviews. Her next book will be published by Headline Books in late April 2026.
