Diversity at UCD
UCD welcomes applications from everyone. We are committed to creating an environment where diversity is celebrated and everyone is afforded equality of opportunity. Learn more about Diversity at UCD.
UCD is committed to creating an environment where diversity is celebrated, and everyone is afforded equality of opportunity. Diversity is highlighted in the University’s strategic plan as one of the core values of UCD, and its EDI commitment is further demonstrated through the strategic objective relating to the attraction, retention, and development of an excellent and diverse cohort of students, faculty and staff. We welcome applications from everyone, including those who identify with any of the protected characteristics that are set out in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy. The University adheres to a range of equality, diversity and inclusion policies.
Applicants are encouraged to consult UCD’s policies and explore UCD’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2018-2020-2025 which sets out the University’s objectives aligned to UCD’s ten equality grounds.
EDI structures at UCD
UCD’s Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion chairs the University EDI Group which works across UCD’s ten equality grounds in collaboration with College Vice Principals for EDI and EDI School Representatives. UCD’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Unit supports the mainstreaming of EDI through the EDI Group and these roles and leads on the delivery of the EDI Strategy through a range of initiatives including policy development, awareness raising and training, internal and external relationship building, collation and analysing of data, establishing peer support groups and networks, attainment of accreditations such as Athena SWAN and supporting and promoting an environment of mental health and wellbeing and dignity and respect.
Employee networks in UCD
UCD has EDI employee networks which are a great opportunity to meet colleagues, network and engage with equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives in UCD.
Employee networks include:
- UCD staff disability network
- UCD LGBTI staff network
- UCD Women@STEM
- Multicultural Employee Network UCD (MENU)
You can learn more about these networks on the Equality website.
Dignity & Respect Support Service
The UCD Dignity and Respect Support Service was launched in November 2021.
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. The Advisers, who are experienced and trained to support, respond and advise on all reports of a dignity and respect nature, will provide you with a supportive, confidential environment in which to discuss the issues and will support you to make a decision that is right for you and your situation.
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EDI initiatives
Athena SWAN at UCD
University College Dublin has received its second Athena SWAN Bronze institutional award in recognition of the university’s work towards gender equality. To achieve this accreditation, an institution must demonstrate that it has undertaken a thorough self-assessment of gender equality challenges and has developed a detailed action plan to tackle them. The UCD Gender Equality Action Plan 2020-2024 was prepared by the Gender Equality Action Group and its Working Groups, in a process that involved external benchmarking, an EDI employee survey, focus groups and consultation across the university. It includes actions relating to recruitment, promotions, leadership, work practices, organisation and culture. The implementation of the Plan is already underway and includes mechanisms to track progress on each of the actions. This action plan includes the actions that arose from the review of the university’s policy and procedures on Dignity and Respect.
Age-Friendly University
University College Dublin is proud of its designation as an Age-Friendly University as part of the AFU Global Network. Age-friendly universities aim to encourage the participation of older adults in all the core activities of the university, including educational and research programmes.
University of Sanctuary
UCD was awarded University of Sanctuary status in 2018, (UoSI) is an Irish initiative to encourage and celebrate the good practice of universities, colleges and other education institutes welcoming refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants into their university communities and fostering a culture of welcome and inclusion for all those seeking sanctuary.
Open Doors Initiative
UCD has joined a group of over 95 companies and NGOs, who work with government to create pathways to employment for marginalised people. These can be internships, scholarships, training courses, aiding entrepreneurs or full/part time employment, from a range of backgrounds and abilities. These can be developed out on a bespoke basis with organisations to include specific projects. Members of the group work with refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, people with disabilities and disadvantaged youth (including those from a traveller background, LGBTIQ+ etc).
Members offer online training, mentorships, assisted learning, seminars, in-house training for existing employees on a range of subjects and can assist with funding for training courses you run. They have ongoing meet ups with other companies and supporting partners who are working to create diversity and inclusion within their organisations.
More details are available (opens in a new window)on our website.
Learn more
To find out more about UCD Equality, Diversity and Inclusion visit our website.