UCD Widening Participation
At the UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, we are committed to delivering on UCD's University for All, whole-institution, evidence-based approach to mainstreaming inclusion, ensuring that all students feel welcome, belong and are valued. University for All recognises, promotes and values the breadth of talent, experience and contribution of all students, and creates an inclusive educational experience for all.
Dr Caitriona Cunningham
Dr Caitriona Cunningham is our School representative on UCD’s Widening Participation committee.
She also chairs UCD’s Widening Participation Outreach Network. Dr James Timmons is our School Widening Participation Outreach Network representative with Kat Bahramian acting as the alternate.
The role of the UCD Widening Participation (UWP) Committee is to provide the formal mechanism to oversee, monitor and promote the University’s achievement of a diverse and inclusive scholarly student community, characterised as a ‘University for All’. The UCD Strategy 2020-2024: Rising to the Future anchors the work of UCD's Widening Participation Committee, and it plays a key role in supporting the University to recognise, promote and value diversity, foster the spirit of inclusion, appreciate the breadth of talent, experience and contribution of all students, and strive to remove the barriers to access, participation and success. The Widening Participation Committee is chaired by Professor John Brannigan, and reports to the UMT Education Group (UMTEG). Membership is drawn from all Academic Programme Boards, Policy and Support Services, in addition to Student Access Leaders, UCD Student Union and co-opted members from UCD EDI and Global.
Our School is making strides to enhance access to and inclusion in our programmes. This includes having multiple entry routes to our Bachelors programmes (eg. HEAR, DARE, Mature, QQI-FET) with widening participation enrolment targets reviewed on an annual basis.
A Toolkit For Inclusive Higher Education Institutions has been developed by UCD’s ALL Unit to aid in the implementation of University for All.
The Toolkit provides a framework which can:
- ASSIST in creating an action plan
- RECOGNISE the work already achieved
- IDENTIFY areas of priority
- OFFER practical steps to implement and embed inclusive practice
- FACILITATE dialogue between faculty, professional staff, technical staff on the importance of inclusive practice
All staff are encouraged to use this toolkit to self-assess practice and an initial 'University for ALL' Inclusive Toolkit Workshop was held in March 2021 to facilitate staff to conduct self-assessment towards identifying issues and mainstreaming inclusive practices within our School.
‘Inclusion is not an add-on, and it should be at the heart of a university’s mission in achieving excellence in education and scholarship’
Universal Design for Learning at UCD
UCD Access and Lifelong Learning has entered into a strategic partnership with AHEAD to jointly deliver the (opens in a new window)Digital Badge for Universal Design in Teaching and Learning.
To date 29 School staff have completed the Digital Badge for Universal Design in Teaching and Learning, with some going on to become UDL Digital Badge Programme Facilitators.
UDL Faculty Partnership Programme
The Faculty Partnership Programme is designed to support and accelerate the implementation of UDL throughout the university. Dr Caitriona Cunningham is one of 30 University for ALL Faculty Partners at UCD.