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EDI

School of Earth Sciences Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement

UCD School of Earth Sciences is committed to creating an environment where diversity is celebrated and everyone is treated fairly regardless of gender identity, age, ethnic background, physical ability, religion, sexual orientation, civil status, family status, or membership of the travelling community. Both the School and the University recognises the challenges they face and are committed to providing equal opportunity for our staff and students.

The School of Earth Sciences aims to:

  1. Increase retention and recruitment of diverse faculty, postdocs, staff, and students.
  2. Increase discussions of diversity and accessibility issues at all levels within the School.

To help achieve these aims the School has:

Set up an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) committee that will:

    • Identify practises that foster a more equitable and inclusive environment and suggest ways the School can incorporate them.
    • Advocate for members of our School community who are seeking change, to amplify their voice(s), whilst allowing them to be represented anonymously when desired.
  2. Created an anonymous diversity survey to assess issues faced by faculty, staff, postdocs, and students within the School.
  3. Implemented policies to dismantle barriers to resources and opportunities that may have previously inhibited equality, diversity, and inclusion.
  4. Plans to invite scientists who research equality, diversity, and inclusion issues in geoscience to speak at the weekly School seminar series. 

Our EDI goals align with the EDI initiatives across the University College Dublin.

School of Earth Sciences, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion committee

The School of Earth Sciences EDI committee is here to create a stronger, more equitable, and more inclusive community within the School for everyone. We recognise our role as allies, to listen to concerns without centring ourselves, to amplify voices where they need to be heard, and to speak up when those voices cannot be heard.
Our aims include:

  • Justice: Dismantle barriers to resources and opportunities so that all individuals and communities are treated equally and with dignity.
  • Equality: Allocate resources to ensure everyone has access to the same opportunities.
  • Diversity: Acknowledge the differences between us that are based on what we experience, be it advantages or barriers to opportunities. Here we recognise diversity as more than visible diversity only.
  • Inclusion: Foster a sense of belonging by centring, valuing, and amplifying the voices and perspectives of those who experience more barriers based on their identities.

*Above definitions following (opens in a new window)J.E.D.I collaborative 

If you have experienced a barrier to opportunities and resources based on your identity that you would like to raise, would like to join the EDI committee, or would like to contact the EDI committee you can reach us here: (opens in a new window)ucdsescontactedi@ucd.ie  This email address is solely monitored by Dr. Sam Kelley and Dr. Aline Melo. Emails are treated as confidential and names will not be shared with the wider committee or head of school unless express permission is granted.

While we are here to support you, to advocate for you, and to introduce change at the school-level, the committee is not a recourse for acute incidents (e.g., bullying and harassment), which should be dealt with through (opens in a new window)formal channels. If there is an emergency or you require out of hours assistance, please call Unicare on 01 716 7999.

Current committee members include Aileen Doran, Jana Foxe, committee chair Dr. Claire Harnett, Dr. Sam Kelley, Dr. Gaël Lymer, Dr. Prof. Patrick Orr, Nick Scroxton, Dr. Srikumar Roy, Dr. Koen Torremans 

Dignity and Respect

We strive for a positive working and learning environment, in which individuals treat one another with mutual respect and dignity. UCD’s dignity and respect policy supports a collegiate environment for all staff, students and visitors, which is free from discrimination, bullying, and harassment.

EDI Seminars

You can find more information on our EDI seminars here.

Links to publications on EDI issues in Geoscience

(opens in a new window)In the wake of COVID-19, academia needs new solutions to ensure gender equity
(opens in a new window)The time tax put on scientists of colour
(opens in a new window)Barriers to fieldwork in undergraduate geoscience degrees
(opens in a new window)The Challenges of Being LGBTQIA+ in Earth Sciences