Orginal interview features in Waterford Chamber of Commerce Network Magazine, Issue 30, page 28.
Hazel Peavoy is the Principal Investigator and Programme Manager for ENTIRE European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) at Walton Institute in South East Technological University (SETU), in Waterford. ENTIRE is part of a network of 250 hubs established by the European Union driving the digital transformation of Europe, by enhancing the digital capacity of SMEs and Public Sector Organisations (PSOs). In addition to her work with ENTIRE, Hazel is also the Senior Strategic Business Partner at Walton Institute, where she collaborates with key stakeholders in agriculture across Ireland and Europe.
You work in the tech sector but you’re not a technologist. What unique role do you play in Walton Institute?
The team at Walton Institute investigates innovative technologies, verifying their capabilities and applicability for today’s society. In my position, I serve as a bridge between technology and its impact on people’s lives. My background in the arts and equine industries gives me a unique perspective in questioning how technological research can be practically applied to benefit society. This involves fostering partnerships that connect research with industry on a global scale and exploring how innovations can support rural communities.
What role have you played in advancing gender equality?
Over the last few years, my role has expanded into areas of importance both to me personally and the projects I have worked on. One of my key focus areas has been gender equality, particularly in agriculture, where there are both advantages and challenges associated with any gender, and my work has aimed to highlight and address these.
As part of Smart AgriHubs, a €20M Horizon 2020 EU project, I played a pivotal role in launching the Gender Alliance for Innovation in Agriculture (GAIA). This initiative remains active today and continues to drive discussions on gender equity in agriculture. In collaboration with i4agriculture in the UK, I helped organise events and surveys that highlighted gender imbalances, culminating in a published report available on the Smart AgriHubs portal.
Building on this success, we developed Synergy Days, a leading European event bringing together agricultural technology and data-driven European Commission projects. This platform has been instrumental in raising awareness about gender and equality issues within the agricultural industry. We have helped create an ecosystem that connects key stakeholders, acting as an information broker, fostering dialogue and meaningful action toward a more inclusive and equitable sector.
What are some of the biggest challenges or misconceptions you face?
One of the biggest challenges in my role is managing the vast scope of work that my diverse background enables me to engage with, and also balancing strategic leadership with hands-on involvement in digital innovation, gender advocacy, and agricultural transformation. Recently, I was invited by the EU Commission’s Digital Transformation Accelerator (DTA) to chair the Thematic Working Group for Agriculture within the EDIH Network. This recognition highlights the impact of my work and provides a platform to further influence digital innovation in agriculture across Europe.
What advice would you give to young girls interested in a career in STEM?
While I did not come from a STEM background, I encourage young girls to look beyond traditional industry boundaries and develop transferable skills. My passion lies not in STEM itself but in leveraging its potential to address real-world challenges. The true value of technology is in its ability to drive meaningful change, and to create countless opportunities across diverse fields.
