Vet Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Athena SWAN Update
The School’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Athena SWAN (Vet EDIAS) Committee organises many events and initiatives which support our agenda of promoting gender equality, diversity and inclusion for all faculty, staff and students. Below, we provide you with updates on some of the events and campaigns organised by the Vet EDIAS Committee. Find out more about the work of the committee and upcoming events on our website: https://www.ucd.ie/vetmed/about/athenaswan/
Past Events
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022
The UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities aims to recognise and value the diversity of our global community, and to cherish the role we all play, regardless of our abilities. Celebrations take place annually on 3 December.
The theme for 2022 was 'Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world.' To mark the occasion, Dr Cliona Skelly, Professor Stephen Gordon, Eimear Burkley and David Mason from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Hospital reviewed accessibility in the Veterinary Sciences building. The focus was on short-term changes the School can make, and long-term actions that can be embedded into our Silver Athena SWAN Action Plan.
Additionally, our Vet EDIAS team have helped to spread awareness of events in UCD that will help Persons with Disabilities in our Community:
- On 15 December 2022, UCD EDI hosted an online panel discussion and launch of the UCD Policy on Employment of Persons with Disabilities
- On 1 February 2023, UCD Access & Lifelong Learning along with the UCD Acting Registrar, Professor Barbara Dooley, launched UCD’s Introduction to Universal Design training course
More information can be found on our website: https://www.ucd.ie/vetmed/about/athenaswan/events/
Staff Mentoring 2022/2023
The School of Veterinary Medicine continues to promote various Mentoring pathways for staff. In January, the Vet EDIAS Committee invited staff to consider mentoring a fellow colleague, or to seek a mentor to support their own personal and professional development.
There are two main options available to staff:
- The Faculty Mentoring Pathway is targeted at lecturers/assistant professors who are matched with more senior School of Veterinary Medicine faculty
- The Individual Mentoring Pathway is open to all staff in UCD and includes professional, technical, support, clinical Veterinary Nursing and postdoctoral staff. Mentees on this pathway can work with mentors from Schools and Departments outside of Veterinary Medicine and the Hospital if they so wish
UCD People and Organisation Development now host regular training sessions for mentors and mentees, which our staff are encouraged to attend.
Upcoming Events
Dean’s Inclusion Award 2022 – Award Ceremony
The School of Veterinary Medicine Dean’s Inclusion Award is awarded on an annual basis to individual students, staff, faculty, clubs or teams who have demonstrated outstanding behaviours in the areas of EDI during the preceding college year. Staff and students submitted nominations for this and the award ceremony will take place in February.
https://www.ucd.ie/vetmed/about/athenaswan/deansinclusionaward/
Staff Mentoring 2023 – Launch Event
The Vet EDIAS committee will launch the new Mentoring year by hosting a networking and information event for staff in February. It will be an opportunity to hear from School colleagues on their experience of the various Mentoring pathways.
https://www.ucd.ie/vetmed/about/athenaswan/mentoring/