Linda Doyle, Trinity College Dublin’s primary representative to the outside world, became the first female Provost in 2021. Like me, no doubt you’re curious about Linda the person, not Linda the leader. As Phil President last year, I got to know her briefly, but was still left wanting as to the person at our College’s helm. Situated at the heart of College activity, she has overseen public initiatives, such as Trinity’s recent Sustainability Strategy, and her tenure has been dominated by dwindling government funding to Higher Education Institutions. But what of the personality behind the curated public profile of the woman anchored to the title of Provost?

So, on the day before my first in-person exam since the 2020 Leaving Cert mocks, I took a break from the Library and ran over to the Provost’s office. Voice recorder ready, I was looking forward to exploring a side of the Provost few have gotten to see. 

There was a buzz around her office with paintings and books, evidence of both the grandness and chaotic nature you would expect from the leader of an over 400-year-old institution. As I sat down to begin the interview, I was extremely nervous. Away from my library bubble and in the height of December’s icy cold air, I sat in my oversized green coat, too afraid to take it off for fear of not knowing where to put it. The Provost seemed to notice my unease as she took off her coat, politely encouraging me to do the same. Her emotional intelligence was always evident. I will always remember her kind words and gentle push forward when I was about to meet President Michael D. Higgins. She made it clear that this event was not about her, but rather about students. These gentle nudges and nods showed her ability to listen and lead, which few have mastered. She eased me in by asking about my exams and year without the Phil, with a genuine interest that instantly calmed me down. For someone of her status, she always struck me as remarkably down-to-earth. 

As she was a woman of many firsts, I was interested to know if there was something in her upbringing that made her so motivated and resilient to the many obstacles female academics face. I also knew she was from Cork, so when I asked what the Provost made of growing up in the true capital, she laughed out loud. She went on to paint a picture of a happy childhood surrounded by books with a clear focus on education, and laughter. Being the eldest of four, I wondered if the leadership role amongst her siblings lent itself to her roles outside the home, to which she replied: “I’d say I was a bossy older sister, alright!” The Provost she comments on had a ‘normal’ upbringing, noting that for many, this is not the case: “You’re very privileged to have a normal family life”. She described herself as a little nerdy and dorky as a child, and someone who loved school and books. To a person whose life is now dedicated to academia, it struck me how early some of us form our lifetime interests. 

I wanted to delve deeper and see if there was anything Linda would have liked to tell her 15-year-old self. I expected to hear something about career or relationship advice, but Linda has never been one for cliché.. She was keen to stress the importance of self-belief and expression in our formative years, but admitted: “There’s no way a 15-year-old would like to know what I have to say.” I empathised with her view that, unlike today, with social media providing constant distractions and diverting our attention away from what is right in front of us, her upbringing was one of debate and discussion between family and friends.

As the interview went on, we relaxed into a conversation that was much more natural than I had initially thought it would be. I wanted to hear the Provost’s opinion on student politics and engagement with the wider issues students face. She thought it was “a real shame” that only eight per cent of students voted in the Student Union elections, a fact perhaps lost on those that dedicate their time to Union activities. She suggested that it comes from a general apathy towards modern politics evidenced by voter rates declining in most democracies, and drew attention to the traditional low turnouts in Student elections. She shared her hope that this would increase over the years and how amazed she is about how seriously students take these roles and how important it is that people hear and listen to the students’ voices. 

Her passion was evident: “The students are the reason why we exist.” She believes that a small part of student life is about the classroom, but more broadly, the time spent at college is defined by a student’s involvement in outside-the-classroom experiences and opportunity. For students graduating under her leadership, she hoped they would recognise that Trinity mattered, that their experience here should make a difference to their lives. From the passion in her voice and body language, her motivation and vision was clear – her wish is to create a campus where students feel “safe but academically challenged”. She emphasised the need for all student voices to be represented and to ensure there is respect for diversity of opinion embedded in student debate and discourse. 

I was interested to see if she liked to highlight that she was the first female Provost, rather than ‘just’  the Provost.  Gendering leadership roles only when women occupy them, is the subject of much debate in the media, and so I was eager to ask the Provost how she felt about it. Her pride in occupying the role was clear. Not in a boastful way, but rather a feeling of joy and genuine happiness at achieving this position. She described the day she got elected with a smile on her face, stating that it was the best day, as it was the first time “I was the first to do anything”. However, she was eager to make the broader point that there was a lot of momentum in Trinity at the time of the election and a desire for something new. 

We conclude our interview with a few laughs about rapid-fire answers (included below!) and a reflection on regrets. She honestly answered, “I make mistakes all the time,” but she hopes to make more “original mistakes” – aiming not to repeat the perceived failures of those before her.  She argued it shows you are learning, evolving and growing, but quickly added “I’m not there yet!”. It was this humble attitude, evident in her self-effacing answers to personal questions, that was striking to me. She always turned an “I” into a “we” – perhaps that is what leadership is all about. 

Rapid fire questions 

Death row meal? “Anything with vinegar in it! For starters, basil with feta and avocado. And comfort things… like spaghetti bolognese and then to finish, lots of chocolate!” 

Any shows you’re binge-watching? “Any Nordic crime and murder mysteries.”

Favourite Album? “Dare by The Human League back in the 80s and Trouble Will Find Me by The National.” 

Favourite book? “The Shipping News, but there’s too many to mention.” 

The moment she’d most like to relive?  “The call when elected Provost.”