Julie Irish, a researcher running for the Ward 5 Newton City Council seat, loves knocking on doors.
“It’s a real kind of a privilege to be able to go knock on anyone’s door,” said Irish. “How often do you get to do that with a real reason? It’s a privilege to be able to talk to so many people.”
Her professional background in academic medicine informs her perspective—she has spent her career leading research at centers such as Tufts Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Irish, who holds a Ph.D in social psychology, sees campaigning as a way to continue the interactive work behind research.
“’I’m a qualitative researcher, so it’s asking questions, listening, interpreting, and [knowing] how to use that information to make a change,” Irish said. “So for me, it’s just an extension of my professional expertise and work into campaigning.”
Irish believes she would add a unique touch to the Ward 5 Newton City Council seat through her personability and the value she places on human interaction. Irish believes her time volunteering with a range of organizations in the city will help her expand the reach and efficacy of the city council.
Irish is currently the president of the Upper Falls Area Council and previously volunteered with the Newton Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), but she hopes to extend her helping hand further as a city councilor. She said volunteering has helped her learn a lot about the city—and herself.
“I joke that when I was on the PTO, I learned so much about myself because there’s so many volunteers,” Irish said. “I have been involved in the community and working with the city for, oh gosh, probably over 10 to 15 years at this point.”
Irish said she decided to get involved in Newton after seeing all the opportunities it granted her two kids through soccer programs, summer camps, swimming lessons, children’s programming, and more.
“I learned from raising two kids here … that there’s so much out there,” Irish said. “You really don’t have to leave Newton if you don’t want to. Everything is here.”
Eleven current city council officials endorsed Irish for the seat. Irish said she wants to follow the example of the sitting council, including that of her predecessor, Ward 5 City Councilor Bill Humphrey. To Irish, Humphrey is a model for emphasizing one-on-one interaction and transparency.
“Bill Humphrey is excellent and responsive, and he’s knocked on lots of doors,” Irish said. “What I would do differently is be responsive to constituents as a ward councilor … if someone has an issue with a tree or sidewalk or street sign, you’re the first person they call and [you need] to be responsive.”
If elected, Irish said she hopes to emphasize transparency.
“I think sometimes things just happen and people don’t understand why and they [get] really worked up, like ‘no one told me,’” Irish said. “It’s really about communication … If [councilors] tell you why something is happening, when it’s happening, it’s so much better.”
During a family trip at just 12 years old, Irish decided that Boston would one day be her home. She got pretty close to that dream—she has now lived in Newton for over 25 years and is immensely happy with her decision.
“We’re so lucky to live in Newton,” Irish said. “ For me, it really checked all the boxes for having any and everything.”
Now, Irish hopes to give back to those who have made her feel so lucky to call Newton home.
“You have to always go back to the people you’re serving—that’s really what it’s all about,” Irish said. “There’s zoning and all sorts of things you have to do, but not to lose sight of who you’re doing it for.”
