EDI Committee

Membership of the Computer Science EDI Committee 24/25

Purpose and Function

The School of Computer Science Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Committee is responsible for promoting and supporting EDI practices within the school, focusing on the ten equality grounds set out by the University: Age, Civil status, Disability, Family status (including carer status), Gender (including gender identity), Traveller Community membership, Ethnicity (race, skin colour, nationality or ethnic origin), Religion, Sexual orientation, and Socio-Economic-Status.

The EDI Committee will advise on initiatives, policies, and actions necessary to foster an inclusive culture within the school for employees and students.

The EDI Committee is chaired by the School’s Co-Chairs of EDI and comprised of members who take responsibility for specific aspects of EDI. The EDI Committee reports to the UCD School of Computer Science Executive Committee.

Terms of Reference

1. Foster a sense of community within the school and promote an inclusive culture.
2. Initiate, develop and support the School’s EDI initiatives for staff and students.
3. Celebrating successes of EDI initiatives.
4. Implement the School’s Athena Swan (AS) Bronze Action Plan.
5. Report on the progress of the Action Plan to the School Executive, the College EDI Committee and the UCD EDI Unit.
6. Review and evaluate the effectiveness of the School’s EDI initiatives using qualitative and quantitative data.
7. Prepare the renewal of the Athena SWAN bronze award or application for the Silver Award.
8. Report to the School’s Executive Committee (through the Co-Chairs who will be a member(s) of the Executive).
9. To make recommendations to the School Executive and the College EDI Committee on matters related to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion based on feedback received at School level.
10. To maintain and update the EDI School webpage regularly and provide clear information and advice to both employees and students.

The school EDI committee should not be seen as a body that people can make complaints to about dignity and respect, however, the EDI committee will offer advice to staff and students on the official channels in place for dealing with Equality, Diversity and Inclusion issues.

Composition

The following shall be members of the EDI Committee:

• EDI Co-Chairs (Male and Female)
• Head of School 
• School Manager
• EDI Administrator
• Director of Teaching & Learning
• Director of Research, Innovation & Impact
• Director of Graduate Research Studies
• Director of BSc Computer Science
• Chair / Co-Chair of Women @ Computer Science
• Ingenic Staff Representative 
• Marketing Officer
• Staff Representative
• Postdoctoral Staff Representative 

The Committee should aim to have gender representation of at least 40% of either gender and a broad representation from all professional roles. 

Term of Office

The recommended term of office for EDI Committee members is 3 years, after which time, the committee make-up should be reviewed, but with some exceptions and gradual turnover, to ensure continuity. Postdoctoral researcher membership is likely to be reviewed more frequently. The Head of School is a standing member on the Committee.

Committee Support

The EDI Committee receives administrative support from the CS EDI Administrator.

Conduct of Business

• The EDI Committee shall meet at least 3 times a year (once per term) and extra meetings can be held as required.
• The meetings shall be convened by the Co-Chairs with a minimum of seven days’ notice of a meeting where possible.
• The meetings will be held within core hours.
• The members of the Committee may not nominate others to attend meetings on their behalf.
• Any member of CS can approach any EDI Committee member to raise items for discussion at the meetings, but they are encouraged to bring these to the attention of the Co-Chairs.

Reporting responsibility

• The Co-Chairs of the EDI Committee shall report to the HoS and the School Executive Committee on EDI Committee matters.
• The EDI Committee shall maintain minutes of each meeting for noting. Items for decision should be accompanied by the recommendation of the Group.
• Recommendations of the group will be based on a collegial, broad consensus reached through the discussions at the meeting. Where a consensus cannot be reached between the members of the EDI Committee, this shall be reflected in the minutes and any recommendations brought forward to the School Executive Committee shall note dissenting opinions.
• The EDI Committee Co-Chairs shall sit as CS representatives on the College of Science EDI committee and report to this group any relevant developments from the CS EDI committee. They shall also inform the CS EDI Committee members and the School Executive Committee of the discussions and developments at the College level and bring forward recommendations from the College EDI committee to the School Executive.

Role of the Co-Chairs

The Co-Chair’s role in EDI meetings will ensure that:

• The power balance within the EDI Committee is maintained, that everyone is able to have their say and that stronger voices and hierarchy do not overpower discussions and decisions.
• All members of the EDI Committee take responsibility for completing tasks and progressing the action plan.
• EDI Committee members are given proportionate responsibility.
• All identifiable and sensitive data is removed before circulating data reports with EDI Committee members.
• Adhere to GDPR requirements, UCD IT Services Policy and Procedures and UCD Athena SWAN School Guide to Data.

If you have any questions concerning Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please get in  touch with us through email at (opens in a new window)edi-cs@ucd.ie .