Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

UCD is committed to creating an environment where diversity is celebrated and everyone is treated fairly regardless of gender, age, race, disability, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, civil status, family status, or membership of the travelling community.

Athena Swan Silver Award

UCD SBBS is proud to have received the Silver Athena SWAN Award, recognising our ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality and fostering an inclusive environment for staff and students.

A huge thank you to our EDI Officer, Dr. Gary Brennan, and EDI Researcher, Michael Colaiaco, for their leadership in this successful application.

The Athena Swan framework supports and encourages transformative practices in promoting gender equality in higher education and research. Achieving the Silver Award highlights the significant progress made by the School to address gender-based challenges, promote equality of opportunity, and foster a supportive and inclusive environment for all staff and students.

Key achievements recognised in our application include:

Development of initiatives to support career progression for underrepresented groups.
Implementation of flexible working policies to support work-life balance.
Increased female representation at senior academic and leadership levels.
Establishment of mentorship and leadership programs to support early-career researchers.

We remain committed to building on this success and continuing to drive meaningful cultural and structural change within our School and beyond.

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Explore our school's EDI initiatives below:

Introducing our EDI officer, Dr. Gary Brennan

I am an Assistant Professor in the UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science (SBBS), contributing to the Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Genetics, and Biochemistry degree programmes. My research group at the UCD Conway Institute focuses on the molecular mechanisms of epilepsy development following brain injury and exploring novel therapeutic strategies. I also serve as the School’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) officer and use he/him pronouns.

As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I am committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all members of SBBS—students, staff, and faculty alike. The EDI committee works to promote diversity, inclusivity, and equal opportunities, ensuring our School is a safe and welcoming space for everyone, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background. We believe diversity drives progress, and we are dedicated to supporting and celebrating the unique individuals who make up our community.

Our committee organises social, academic, and developmental events throughout the year and continually seeks new ideas to enhance inclusivity. Please feel free to reach out with suggestions, and stay connected via our SBBS EDI and social media channels for updates. I look forward to working with all of you as we build on these efforts.