Celebrating Pride 2024
SBBS is proud to welcome students and staff of all orientations and genders. However you identify - as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, gender fluid, or in any other way, please be assured that joining us means joining an inclusive and friendly community where you can thrive as yourself. We firmly believe that Equality, Diversity & Inclusion policies must be underpinned by recognition and appreciation for all staff and students: who they are and who they want to be.
To celebrate Pride 2024, the College of Science hosted a Pride celebration event on Friday 14 June in the UCD OBrien Centre for Science. The event was an enjoyable morning with rainbow flags, rainbow treats and other goodies to celebrate LGBT+ visibility and inclusion in the college. There was a craft table to make your own rainbow creations. The event was opened by College Principal Prof Jeremy Simpson and the morning included short speeches reflecting on the importance of Pride and LGBT inclusion in science.
Community Supports
UCD LGBTQ+ Society: This is one of UCD’s most vibrant and active student societies, with a fully diverse range of officers and members. The society regularly organises both on- and off-campus events and is prominent in advocating for LGBTQ+ issues. For more information and links to a range of resources, visit their website at (opens in a new window)UCD LGBTQ+ Society
UCD LGBT+ Staff Network: This forum provides an informal grouping for LGBT+ staff members and those interested in LGBT+ issues. It provides a safe space to connect, socialise, and organise activities of interest to the community. You can learn more and make contact at http://www.ucd.ie/lgbtstaff/
UCD Dignity & Respect Support Service
The UCD Dignity & Respect Support Service was launched in November 2021 and was officially opened by Minister Simon Harris in May 2022.
The UCD Dignity & Respect Support Advisers work proactively with employees and students who disclose issues of bullying and harassment and those who are reported for such issues.
Equal Treatment and Equal Protection
Please be confident that SBBS takes any form of harassment or discrimination very seriously. If any student or staff member has concerns relating to LGBT+ issues or are experiencing/have experienced any instance of homophobia and/or transphobia they can approach any member of senior staff for confidential advice and support. In the first instance we advise they consult our Workplace Protection Policies page for an overview of the UCD polciies, protections, and procedures available to them.
To help ensure the comfort and safety of everyone in our School, SBBS staff undergo unconscious bias training to maximise their awareness of issues surrounding orientation and gender-expression. At University level, UCD ensures the interests and welfare of its LGBT+ community are at the heart of University policy making, with a dedicated LGBTI+ sub-group reporting to the main Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Group. You can learn more about their activities at https://www.ucd.ie/equality/groups/lgbtisub-group/. In 2017, after extensive consultation with the University community and engaging expert guidance from the Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI), UCD implemented a Gender Identity and Expression Policy. The policy and its accompanying guidelines establish a range of practical measures to ensure all staff and students feel included and protected however they wish to express and identify themselves. Frontline staff receive training in this new policy, while one of the first measures enacted was the establishment of all-gender changing facilities and bathrooms across campus. You can learn more about the Gender Expression Working Group and access the documentation at Equality, Diversity and Inclusion | Gender Equality Action Group (ucd.ie)
Additional Resources and Networks
Resources for LGBTQ Professionals in Tech is a resource, published by the informational website 'Master's in Data Science', that covers the importance of STEM careers being more inclusive to LGBTQ employees, and ways this can be achieved. The guide also provides networking resources for LGBTQ students and professionals in the scientific field. (opens in a new window)https://www.mastersindatascience.org/resources/resources-for-lgbtq-professionals-in-tech/
500 Queer Scientists is an international visibiility campaign designed to raise the profile and achievements of LGBT+ people in STEMM and STEMM-related areas - (opens in a new window)https://www.500queerscientists.com/
House of STEM is a community-led network of LGBTQ+ scientists in Ireland working to improve support, visibility, and representation - (opens in a new window)https://houseofstem.org/
Pride in STEM is run by an independent group of LGBT+ scientists and engineers from around the world showcasing and supporting LGBT+ people in all STEMM fields - (opens in a new window)https://prideinstem.org/
Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) - (opens in a new window)http://www.teni.ie/
LGBT Ireland offers information and resources for the LGBT+ community around the country. Visit (opens in a new window)http://www.lgbt.ie/
InterTech Ireland is a network for LGBTQ community working in the science/tech sector. They regularly run events surrounding community issues in tech and society. Visit (opens in a new window)https://intertechirl.github.io/index.html
Upcoming Events
Click here for a range of EDI events planned across the University
