The Riddel Hall Chronicles: Riddel Hall and the history of the education of women in NI

The Riddel Hall Chronicles: Riddel Hall and the history of the education of women in NI

In this episode, Alice Dubois talks to the two women behind the book “Pioneering women, Riddel Hall and Queen’s University Belfast”. Dr Diana Hadden shares how she acquired the Riddel Hall archives and initiated the research project that led to the publication of the book, and author, Dr Gillian McClelland explains how pioneers like Eliza and Isabella Riddel, and places like Riddel Hall impacted the history of women’s education. “It was Molly Dawson’s [Riddel Hall’s last warden] idea I would say; I think she probably was quite pleased.” Dr Diana Hadden about the origin of the project “It was a great opportunity to do some original research into an institution that enabled women to avail of higher education, which was at its infancy at the time.” Dr Gillian McClelland about getting involved in the book project These are 'The Riddel Hall Chronicles'

The Riddel Hall Chronicles: Professor Barbara McDermott talks about her experience at Riddel Hall in the 1970s

In this episode, Dr Alice Dubois, Postdoctoral Development Centre Manager at Queen's University Belfast joins Professor Barbara McDermott as she talks about her experience as a Riddel Hall resident in the 1970s, only a few years before the Hall’s closure, and the changing expectations of students in terms of university accommodation. “I think probably that my time in Riddel also influenced me in thinking about going down that career path as I absorbed this sort of atmosphere of academic tradition and the pursuit of learning, and also the ideal of the Riddel sisters that they had regarding equal opportunities for women and their huge commitment to that.” Professor Barbara McDermott These are 'The Riddel Hall Chronicles'

The Riddel Hall Chronicles: Living in Riddel Hall in the 1960s

In this episode, Dr Alice Dubois, Postdoctoral Development Centre Manager at Queen's University Belfast joins Dr Diana Hadden and Eileen Murray as they reminisce about their time as Riddel Hall residents in the early 1960s, and the long-lasting friendships that started there. “It was very friendly, it’s a great way of meeting the people who are either doing the same thing as you in the same year or even just meeting the people who are doing different things in the same year”. Dr Diana Hadden on her time at Riddel Hall “Whenever we meet nowadays, we revert back to feeling like students again, and when you are in your 80s and you’re feeling like a student again, it’s the loveliest feeling! It lifts our spirits, all thanks to Riddel Hall”. Eileen Murray on the impact of the friendships she built in the Hall which are still going strong until this day These are 'The Riddel Hall Chronicles'