Starting Out At CS - Staff

There are two separate forms of induction which you will be able to avail of upon joining the School of Computer Science in University College Dublin. The first is a local induction, to the School itself, the second a more general induction to University College Dublin. Information about the general UCD induction, which includes a hybrid orientation and helpful information on settling in, can be found here.

Local induction, part of the UCD Orientation Process,  refers to the role specific induction process that takes place when an employee member joins the University.  This process equips the staff member with the necessary information to participate fully in their new role.

Your Manager or Head of School/Unit has responsibility for managing and coordinating local induction. The Induction Process is an important way of ensuring that the new staff member and the school/unit derive real benefit from their appointment. The aim is to enable the staff member to perform to their full potential as soon as possible.

This section provides information to help managers and employees put a structure on the UCD Orientation Process of which the Onboarding process is the first step. Detailed checklists are available and these cover the pre-arrival period right up to the end of the employees first month.

You can find these useful checklists here: https://www.ucd.ie/hr/resourcing/researchfundedresourcing/onboardinginformation/

Prior to getting access to the onboarding portal, which will be made available to you during induction, it is a good idea to get a grounding of the university here: https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/gettingstartedinyournewrole/

Career Advisors are available for early-career faculty, particularly Postdoctoral Researchers. 

Alanna O'Sullivan

Research Careers Manager

Alanna O'Sullivan is the Research Careers Manager in UCD. She is responsible for developing services that support Postdoctoral researcher’s career development both inside and out of the Academy. This includes providing one-to-one career coaching, facilitating workshops on job seeking strategies and career-plans for funding applications as well as hosting academia-to-industry networking events with PhD employers and alumni Postdocs. 

Prior to joining the Careers Network, Alanna was in UCD HR People and Organisational Development supporting Postdoctoral researchers’ training and development.

Alanna holds a Masters in Occupational Psychology from the University of Nottingham and a BA in Psychology from UCD. She is a certifiedMBTI practitioner and holds accreditation from the British Psychological Society to administer A and B psychometric inventories. Alanna holds a Diploma in Executive and Leadership Coaching, accredited by the Association for Coaching.

Alanna is a member of the (opens in a new window)Association of Higher Education Careers Service and the (opens in a new window)Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services 

 Email: (opens in a new window)alanna.osullivan@ucd.ie 

About Performance for Growth (P4G)

P4G is a framework that provides the opportunity for all UCD employees to have at least one annual conversation with their line manager, Head of School or alternate reviewer, within which

• achievements and challenges of the previous year are reflected on;
• goals and objectives for the coming year are agreed;
• a development plan, if required, is discussed and agreed;
• career aspirations are explored and supported where possible.

P4G is open to all employees of UCD who have successfully completed their probation. Postdoctoral colleagues should engage with development conversations within the Research Careers Framework.

The annual P4G conversations take place between April and June.

P4G Training can be found here: https://www.ucd.ie/peopledevelopment/p4g/p4gtraining/

If you have any questions about the P4G process, there's a good chance they are covered in this FAQ document. 

If you are unable to find what you need in the above resources, please speak to your Line Manager/ Head of School in the first instance. Alternatively, you can contact (opens in a new window)p4g@ucd.ie with any additional queries.

Training in the area of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is available in both face-to-face and online formats within University College Dublin. As we are a very diverse school who pride ourselves on the broad range of staff and students we have in our community, we highly encourage you to take up some of these trainings to give you a better knowledge of the issues that may impact others around you. 

"Equality Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education" (EDI in HE) e-Learning Programme 

The EDI in HE eLearning programme is an interactive tailored online resource that aims to provide UCD employees with an awareness of key equality and diversity topics in a University context, and will complement future EDI awareness raising programmes, events and initiatives. This interactive resource will enable employees to consider and reflect on the part they play in building an inclusive culture in UCD. 

The Programme consists of four modules, each of 30-45 minutes duration, which can be completed either as an entire programme, or as a series of modules allowing participants to build up their knowledge over time at their own pace.

• Module 1 "Introduction to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion": an introductory module providing a comprehensive overview of the importance and benefits of EDI and Human Rights and the legal landscape in which HEIs operate. 
• Module 2 "Recruitment and Selection": this module is essential for any employee involved in the selection process (preparing job descriptions, advertising, interviewing etc.)
• Module 3 "Meeting the Needs of Diverse Students in Teaching and Learning Settings": this module looks at meeting the needs of diverse students and outlines best practice tips on fostering equality in teaching and learning settings (e.g. on the curriculum or whilst dealing with sensitive topics)
• Module 4 "Putting Policy into Practice": this module provides advice on how to bring EDI to life and on how to do an equality impact assessment, with particular focus on the areas of event management, disability, dignity and respect, race equality and gender identity.  

Modules 1, 3 and 4 are each of 45 minutes' duration and contain interactive quizzes throughout to test your learning. Module 2 is a detailed standalone Module and will take 45 minutes to complete. Participants can save their progress and return at any time to complete the four modules. 

"Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing of Employees" eLearning Course

The eLearning course "Supporting the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Employees" was developed by the UCD Mental Health and Wellbeing Steering Group to help people managers and colleagues have conversations on mental health and signpost supports. The course aims to help end stigma around mental health, to encourage those with mental health difficulties to come forward and to give confidence to people managers in supporting people through signposting to relevant services and help.

This 30-minute course consists of three units:

• Introduction to Mental Health and Wellbeing Concepts
• Supporting Colleagues
• Conclusion

(opens in a new window)This module is available through LearnUpon

"Let's Talk About Race in the Higher Education Sector" eLearning Course

UCD is committed to addressing racism and discrimination and strives to create a culture where these behaviours are not tolerated. The module "Let's Talk about Race in the Higher Education Sector" aims to raise awareness amongst university employees about racism, systemic inequalities and unconscious bias in higher education. Through contributions from experts and testimonials from those who have experienced systemic racism, this module will help employees understand racial bias so that they can take action to address it. Guidance for employees and leadership and further resources are also available as part of the module.

(opens in a new window)This module is available through LearnUpon

Face-To-Face Trainings

To register for live face-to-face sessions delivered by our expert external facilitators, visit the EDI Training Calendar page to register via the UCD booking system for sessions currently available.

Dignity and Respect for all staff and students is an important part of being part of the UCD community. This is something which the UCD Dignity and Respect Unit has been working hard on for the last few years, and the following trainings which they have created are very important to take part in, and we highly encourage you to fit in some time to take them to know more about the environment which we want our community to be for all staff and students, as well as familiarising yourself with how the Dignity and Respect policies and unit work. 

For Students

Active Bystanders Challenging Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct #NotInOurUCD (online student course)

This important online course for incoming first-year students was developed by UCD Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in collaboration with Academic colleagues, students and subject matter experts from key stakeholder groups. We want everyone in our community, including our students, to help build a culture where inappropriate behaviours are not tolerated and where everyone can safely intervene as an active bystander. 

The course is part of the Orientation Brightspace Course Welcome to UCD and takes about one hour to complete. It is divided in three sections covering what it means to be an active bystander and why it is important, as well as inappropriate behaviours of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct. There are a range of supports available to students in UCD and we want to ensure that bystanders or people impacted by these behaviours feel empowered to take action.   

For Staff

Building a Respectful Culture at UCD (online employee course)

The online course Building a Respectful Culture at UCD for all employees was developed by UCD Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in collaboration with The Learning Rooms, who help organisations design, build and deliver engaging online learning experiences. The course was created to raise awareness about bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct and to assist all employees impacted by these issues. We want to ensure that there is a common understanding of inappropriate behaviours and of everyone's responsibility to be active bystanders and to contribute to a culture of dignity and respect. The content was developed with eLearning experts based on current UCD Policies and after extensive consultation with the UCD community. 

The course is available to all employees and takes about one hour to complete. You will find it under "My Modules" on Brightspace. It consists of two parts:

• Part I "Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct: Raising Awareness and Recognising Behaviours"
• Part II "Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct: Supports, Options and Being Active Bystanders"

To complete this course, you need to complete Part I and Part II.

Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Training for People Managers (face-to-face)

The face-to-face Bullying, Harassment & Sexual Misconduct disclosure training for People Managers launched in 2022 and is ongoing. The purpose of this full-day skill-based training is to ensure that people managers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to support individuals in each area impacted by bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct and to help facilitate a resolution at the earliest possible opportunity. It is essential that People Manager undertake this training. The comprehensive training is delivered by Andrea Adams Consultancy via virtual and in-person sessions in an interactive way and includes bespoke case studies and video scenarios. 

There are numerous sessions throughout the year for managers. If you are a people manager or Academic with one or more reports and haven't received the registration link via email from EDI, please contact (opens in a new window)edi@ucd.ie.

Every member of the UCD Community, who processes personal data in the context of their UCD role, needs by law to undertake training. This will include full time, part time, and temporary employees, PostDocs, PhD students and students working on a UCD project or hourly paid tutors and demonstrators.

This training is available through Brightspace, under a module called Data Privacy and Security. 

Brightspace logs successfully completed training and provides learners with digital badges. Videos and quizzes cover the topics as listed further down this page. A new GDPR ‘Award’ will be issued after successful completion of the 20-question Fundamental quiz to document the training refresher.

If a person has successfully completed the ‘UCD Fundamental’ quiz, which relates to GDPR videos 1 to 6, and the IT security training (in the same module) more than two years ago, it needs to be refreshed. 

In addition to UCD’s Brightspace resource, data protection training and workshops are offered throughout the year, or can be requested on demand. Please contact(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window)gdpr@ucd.ie for details.

Research integrity relates to the performance of research to the highest standards of professionalism and rigor, and to the accuracy and integrity of the research record in publications and elsewhere.

Research Integrity training is a compulsory element of all Research Degree programmes (PhD and MRes) for students admitted after 31 August 2019. Further to this, the main national funders have indicated that completion of research integrity training will soon become an eligibility condition to hold an award and when applying for funding.

Epigeum

1. Introductory course (~5h: Aimed at postgraduate and early career researchers

2. Concise course (~1 hour): Aimed at experienced researchers usually at the associate professor or professor level

If you would like to undertake the online Research Integrity training course, please email your request including your full name to (opens in a new window)ritraining@ucd.ie.

Research Integrity Module

Online module (12-week module) with 5 ECTS credits.

Computer Science PhD Students can access the online training via the Research Integrity Training pages on the Graduate Studies website.

You can find out more information about Research Integrity in UCD here. 

LinkedIn Learning is an online e-learning portfolio of thousands of courses and tutorials taught by industry experts in software, creative, and business skills. 

LinkedIn Learning supplements face-to-face and live virtual learning and provides relevant and personalised online course recommendations that allows you to control the time, pace and place of your development and skills enhancement.

How do I access LinkedIn Learning?

Permanent and temporary employees of UCD can access LinkedIn Learning our e-learning resource at UCD on your PC, laptop or mobile device (via the app).

To sign in to LinkedIn Learning click (opens in a new window)here and enter your UCD Connect Username and Password.

Visit the (opens in a new window)How to use LinkedIn Learning course to effectively navigate and use the features of LinkedIn Learning. 

UCD People Development is committed to to developing our Staff and growing through people.

The Training Course Catalogue offers a range of courses designed to support employees and teams in their skills and professional development in UCD.  The courses on offer reflect the UCD competency frameworks, and the course catalogue features a mix of on-campus programmes and online courses.

You can view course descriptions by browsing the Course Catalogue A to Z

The RISE programme is designed for all Senior Leaders and People Managers across UCD.

This Leadership programme has been created to support the delivery of the UCD Strategy 2020-2024, '(opens in a new window)Rising to the Future'. As per our strategy, we commit to rising to meet the global challenges of the future through the excellence and impact of our research, scholarship and innovation, while ensuring every member of our community is enabled to achieve their full potential.  

RISE is delivered by our strategic partners (opens in a new window)Flow Group. The modules are designed to facilitate participants coming together to reflect and plan their individual and collective approaches to navigating an ever-changing and complex landscape, and each session includes personal reflection, action planning, small group conversation, idea generation and discussion.

Booking your place on RISE
To book your place on any of the RISE offerings please visit the dedicated RISE Booking Portalavailable to People Managers and Senior Leaders.

Please note only eligible participants will have access to book on the UCD RISE Leadership and People Management Programme.

This high impact programme is designed as a learning journey which consists of a number of modules which must be completed in sequence. Senior Leaders and People Managers will attend the Core Module together to share experiences and work to create common approaches and language.  People Managers will then attend their Essentials modules in sequence (There is only one Essentials Module for Senior Leaders).

RISE Insights
The programme also offers RISE Insights Sessions on HR, Organisational Change, EDI, Finance and Research Finance and DiSC. These optional 90-minute offerings delivered by our UCD colleagues provide specialist advice and guidance. Insights Sessions can be attended at any time once you have completed your Core module.

RISE Peer Connect
These one-hour self-contained sessions allow for the continuation of learning and sharing among our diverse community of people managers and leaders.The purpose of these facilitated sessions is to connect peers in small groups of three, with each person talking through a challenge, idea or insight, sharing experiences and using the group as a confidential sounding board.

The Insights and Peer connect sessions can be attended at any time throughout your RISE journey.