Equality Diversity and Inclusion
UCD is deeply committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across all of its programmes and activities.
Overview
Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are critical to the underpinning principle of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to leave no one behind. They are the specific focus of SDGs 5 and 10, but also permeate the entire framework, emphasising the need for equitable and inclusive approaches in all aspects of development.
Diversity is celebrated in UCD and the university is committed to ensuring that all members of the community are treated equally and with respect. UCD’s commitment to EDI is enacted through the large Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team but it is also the responsibility of everyone in our university community to create a safe and welcoming environment where everyone can contribute and flourish. The effectiveness of UCD’s ongoing work towards gender equality has been recognised by a Athena Swan Silver Award at institutional level.
Research, Innovation and Impact
UCD researchers have brought their academic rigour and insights to EDI themes across a spectrum of disciplines from healthcare to the arts and beyond, with extensive impact on policy and practice.
This research includes (opens in a new window)new solutions to promote gender equity in the wake of Covid-19, the (opens in a new window)time tax put on scientists of colour, (opens in a new window)barriers to fieldwork in undergraduate geoscience degrees and the (opens in a new window)challenges of being LGBTI+ in Earth Sciences.
Our researchers have explored themes such as how the LGBTI+ community would like to have healthcare delivered and the dynamics of (opens in a new window)EDI leadership in the Irish screen industry.
The UCD Centre for Disability Studies, founded in 1996, was Europe’s first university-affiliated disability centre. The centre’s activities encompass research, teaching and public engagement to explore the nature of disability, the impact of disability on people with disabilities, their families and wider society - and the role of services in meeting need and maximising the potential of people with disabilities.
Over the past thirty years, UCD Gender Studies has become one of the most established programmes of its kind in Ireland. It has a strong international reputation for feminist research, scholarship, teaching and engagement in public policy and activism.
The UCD Centre for Humanitarian Action is an internationally recognised platform of excellence for humanitarian research and education.
Education
The UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice offers a range of programmes relating to EDI. These include a GradDip and MSc in Equality Studies, a GradDip in Gender Studies, a ProfCert in Social Justice.
The School of Sociology offers an MSc in Global Solutions and the School of Geography offers an MA Critical Geographies: Crises, Climate & Inequality.
UCD also offers an EDI Training and Awareness Raising Programme for employees as part of the wider People Development training. The programme encompasses a variety of EDI-related training and awareness-raising sessions, delivered virtually and/or in person, including dignity and respect, gender identity, cross-cultural communication, unconscious bias awareness, gender equality and more.
The EDI Training Programme is complemented by eLearning courses created for the UCD community, which include modules like Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education and Inclusive Recruitment and Selection.
Campus Initiatives
As part of UCD Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, there are more than a dozen groups and committees working to promote equality, diversion and inclusion in UCD. These include the Gender Equality Action Group, the Disability Sub-Group, the LGBTI+ Sub-Group and the Anti-Racism and Culture Awareness Sub-Group.
Athena Swan School accreditation recognises an individual School’s commitment to gender equality for staff and students and advancing the careers of women in research and employment in higher education. In addition to the institutional Athena Swan Silver Award, a large proportion of UCD Schools have their own Athena Swan accreditation.
Aurora is an innovative leadership development training programme aimed at women up to Associate Professor and equivalent professional services level. It aims to encourage women in academic and professional roles to think of themselves as leaders, to develop leadership skills and to help institutions like UCD optimise the leadership potential of women.
The Dignity and Respect Oversight Group was established in October 2021. This group provides oversight and guidance and enhanced transparency around bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct. The membership of the group is representative of categories of employees, students, areas and minority groups across UCD. There is also external representation from expert groups.
Campus Accessibility is about the creation of a campus that can be used by everybody, irrespective of ability or disability. The Campus Accessibility Officer oversees action plans to incorporate accessibility to buildings and services in line with best practice in universal access and design.