Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

Contact Details: Assoc Prof Catherine Mooney is the Vice Principal for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. You can contact Catherine at catherine.mooney@ucd.ie.

The UCD Dignity & Respect Support Service supports and provides information and guidance to any student and/or staff who is impacted by bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct.

The service can be contacted via 01 716 7716 or email at respect@ucd.ie.

The UCD Dignity & Respect Support Advisers work proactively with employees and students who disclose issues of bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct, 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. Visit UCD Dignity & Respect Support Service for more information and drop-in times.

Report and Support Tool

All members of the University Community have the right to study or work in an environment free from bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct.  Students, employees and visitors can report anonymously through the UCD Report and Support tool and access information about the supports that are available, and learn about the formal and informal options for resolution, including making a formal complaint.

Accessible and Gender Neutral Toilets

• There are gender-neutral toilets in the O’Brien Centre for Science on the second floor (H2.28 and H2.29), as well as accessible toilets on each floor.
• If you enter the Hub via the bridge from Science East, you can find the gender-neutral toilets by turning right and then at the end of the lobby taking another right at the door beside Theatre C. Accessible toilets are found on each floor.
• Science South has multiple gender-neutral and accessible toilets.
• Science East has a gender-neutral toilet on the first floor.
• All other College of Science buildings have an accessible toilet on the ground floor.
• Accessible and gender-neutral toilets are located on the ground floor of the Computer Science building.

Breastfeeding Facilities

• UCD is committed to providing a supportive, family friendly environment for all our employees and has a range of family friendly policies in place. A family friendly environment includes a culture that supports and raises awareness of breastfeeding and the provision of breastfeeding/lactation facilities aligned to good practice for our employees who are currently breastfeeding.
• There is a breastfeeding room in the O'Brien Centre for Science beside the George Moore Auditorium. Access to the room is available on request and is granted by the Science Welcome Centre, contact details: 01 716 2845.

Contemplation Room and Chaplaincy

• There is a Contemplation Room in St. Stephen’s Chaplaincy, open all day during term time to all who would like a quiet place to reflect, pray or meditate, and there is also a church on campus (Our Lady’s Seat of Wisdom Church).

UCD Woodland Walks 

• UCD is known for its parkland setting and mature landscaping, with over 8km of woodland paths.

UCD Estate Services

• Contact Details: 

  For any emergency on campus, contact 01 716 7999. Estate Services have qualified first responders who will attend the scene and coordinate the arrival of emergency services on campus.

  • Unicare - UCD Estate Services https://ucdestates.ie/unicare/
  • The emergency line, 01 716 7999, which is operated 24 hours a day can be used to request assistance, the Walk Safe Service or to report any issues regarding personal safety and security of property on campus. Assistance will be immediately provided in response to your call.

   UCD Estate Campus map for on-campus facilities

UCD Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy 

Our University community is made up of a wide range of people with diverse backgrounds and circumstances, which we value and regard as a great asset. As part of our continued commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, we strive to create an environment in which all members of our community should expect to be able to thrive, be respected and have a real opportunity to participate in and contribute to University activities so that they can achieve their fullest potential.

Sexual Misconduct Policy 

The purpose of the policy is to support the development of a working and learning environment in which sexual misconduct is unacceptable and where individuals have the confidence and trust in the process to disclose, in the knowledge that their concerns will be dealt with appropriately and fairly. We encourage you to come forward to seek support and assistance in relation to issues of sexual misconduct so that we can work with you to resolve these issues. You can be assured that we will act sensitively and disclosures will be carefully and thoughtfully addressed through a process that is transparent and clearly communicated to all individuals involved.

Bullying and Harassment Policy 

The purpose of this policy is to support the development of a working and learning environment in which bullying and harassment are unacceptable and where individuals have the confidence and trust in the process to come forward, in the knowledge that their concerns will be dealt with appropriately and fairly. We encourage you to come forward to seek support and assistance in resolving any issues of bullying or harassment, and to explore informal and formal options available for resolution. You can be assured that we will act sensitively to all cases of bullying and harassment.

Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy 

This policy sets out the University’s commitment to supporting the mental health and well-being of employees in UCD as part of an overall responsibility to promote a healthy work environment where all aspects of health are championed. It is recognised that many of us will experience challenges to our mental health and well-being in our personal and work lives. It is the aim of the University to create a supportive, empathetic and positive environment that contributes to and fosters good mental health and well-being for all our colleagues. 

Gender Identity and Expression Policy 

Our University community strives to value and encourage all members irrespective of gender identity and to respect and recognise diverse gender identities and gender expressions. Gender identity and expression are a positive, core part, of being human and experiencing well-being and fulfillment.

Policy for Supporting the Employment of Persons with Disabilities 

UCD has developed this policy to ensure it provides equality of opportunity in the attraction, employment, retention, and development of persons with disabilities. It is committed to taking proactive steps to ensure its workplace culture supports employees with disabilities to feel confident and comfortable to disclose disabilities so that support can be provided to enable employees to thrive at work. The University seeks to create an affirmative and inclusive culture for employees who have or acquire disabilities during their working life.

Policy for Supporting Employees who are breastfeeding

UCD is committed to providing a supportive, family friendly environment for all our employees and has a range of family friendly policies in place. A family friendly environment includes a culture that supports and raises awareness of breastfeeding and the provision of breastfeeding/lactation facilities aligned with good practices for our employees who are currently breastfeeding. It is important to UCD that employees who are breastfeeding can return to work and are supported during this period. Enabling employees to balance their work and family commitments supports the University Rising to the Future Strategy, specifically to attract, retain and develop an excellent and diverse cohort of students, faculty, and staff.

Tips for Neurodiverse Students

The term neurodiversity is used to refer to the range of differences in the way some people think and process information. It is more common than is usually perceived, and it includes conditions such as ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. Neurodiverse students often face challenges greater than their peers, because the school system and module curriculums are designed around neurotypical thinking.

Here are some tips that could help you achieve a better academic performance:

Tips for Focusing during Lectures

• Attend in person if possible and sit near the front, near the back, or near the edges.
• Move – get up and move around if possible, particularly for a double class.
• Chew gum, play with blue tack and drink water.
• Bring the lecture slides, hopefully they will be available on Brightspace before the lecture; it can also help to read through them beforehand.
  
  

Tips for Study

• Make a to do list – make sure you tick things off as you complete them.
• Add to the list as things come to mind – keep it on hand!
• Don’t wait for motivation: just start and the motivation will follow.
• Break down tasks into small chunks.
• Remove distractions – working on an empty table or in a room free of distractions can help.
• Use a planner (weekly & long-term) – include all your deadlines – check the tests and assignments for every module!
• Set your own deadlines!
• Reward yourself for your achievements, don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get through the list – tomorrow is a new day.

Tips for Study - The Pomodor Technique

• Set a task.
• Set a timer for 25 minutes.
• Work on the task until the timer rings – no checking emails or phones!
• Take a short 5 minute break – non-negotiable!
• Repeat 4 times, then take a longer break – 15-30 minutes.

Tips for Organised Learning

• For each module, make a folder or a section within a folder and divide it into workshops; this will allow you to find subjects more easily.
• Highlight important concepts, and use different colours if there is a lot to highlight. This might help stabilise the words on the page if that is something you struggle with, and it will help you concentrate better.
• Colour-code different types of information (e.g. dates, names, notes, tables) – it will help you consolidate the information you learn.
• Use formatting such as bold text or thicker pens to make key information stand out.
• Memory games are a consolidated learning technique - for example write keywords or the name of a topic on a card and the explanation on the back of the card, and try to remember it without reading, just from the keyword.

Setting up a good Study Environment

• Is noise helpful for you or distracting?
• Do you need constant stimulation, and that stops you from getting started on boring tasks? Play a playlist of instrumental music in the background.
• Are you easily distracted by visuals?
• Do you need to move around while you learn?
• What tools do you need to study, e.g. laptop, notepads, earplugs, etc.
• Is everything on your desk essential?

Tips on Managing Stress

• Meet your friends.
• Get some exercise – go for a walk, try some beginners yoga, jump in the sea.
• Try to eat healthily and get plenty of sleep.
• Don’t neglect self-care.
• Try some proven techniques to help keep calm such as meditation/mindfulness or deep breathing (e.g. even breath - in for 4, and out for 4)
• Try this – focus on 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear and 3 things you can feel, 2 things you can smell and 1 thing you can taste

Apps for Distraction

• Marinara: Pomodoro Assistant
• Forest – stop using your phone so much and help grow trees.
• Mercury Reader Extension – declutters websites to help you focus on what you need to read.
• Cold Turkey – The Toughest Website Blocker on the Internet
• Immersive Reader – available on Office 365 – techniques to improve your reading.

UCD Tools and Resources

• Ally for Brightspace – download all your course material in a format that works best for you.
• SensusAccess – a simple file conversion tool to create files in whatever format suits you, e.g. you can create audio files to listen to when on the move.
• Google Calendar – use to follow your timetable and plan your study and free time.
• Google Keep – for making notes and sharing them if you need.

Help, Accommodation and Additional Resources

On the University resources page of the Neurodiversity Week website, you can find a number of documents with information about neurodiversity, co-occurring conditions, fact sheets and advice

https://www.neurodiversityweek.com/university-resources

Yu can find tips on the UCD website for students with specific disabilities, including ADD/ADHD, Autism/ASD, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia and Dysphraxia/DCD at https://www.ucd.ie/all/ucdstudents/support/disabilitysupport/

Irish Society for Autism

Autism advice and guidance and Aspire Ireland 

Dyslexia Association Ireland

ADHD Ireland: 

For teachers: A Blog on how to make your lectures neurodiversity-friendly

Credits and Sources

Julie Tonge and Fiona Quinn, UCD Access & Lifelong Learning

Study Tips for Neurodiverse students

5 study tips for neurodiverse college students

EDI and Staff Networks

Most of the networks are also open to students and anyone who is interested in the aims of the group.

• UCD LGBT Staff Network 

  The LGBT Staff Network is an informal grouping for both staff who identify as LGBTQ+, as well as any staff who is interested in LGBTQ+ issues. Its purpose is to allow staff to meet, network, exchange ideas, socialise and organise activities of interest to LGBTQ+ people. If you are interested in finding out more about the LGBT Staff Network or attending a meeting, you can contact lgbtnetwork@ucd.ie.

• UCD Staff Disability Network 

  The UCD Staff Disability Network is UCD’s network for staff with disabilities and those interested in the area of disability support, services and workplace inclusion. The network meets regularly with meetings generally on campus at lunchtime. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, in complete confidence, please contact Tina Lowe, Campus Accessibility Officer, at 01 716 7564 or attina.lowe@ucd.ie.

• Multicultural Employee Network of UCD (MENU) 

  The Multicultural Employee Network of UCD (MENU) is a network for multicultural employees and those interested in other cultures. Their goal is to provide a relaxed forum that brings together members of the UCD community to support each other, exchange experiences and ideas and promote multicultural awareness in UCD. The Committee meets quarterly with meetings generally held on campus at lunchtime. In addition to these meetings, MENU organise informal get-togethers to celebrate cultural events in UCD, as well as regular coffee mornings. If you would like to join the network or if you have any queries please email menu@ucd.ie. 

• Women@STEM 

  UCD’s Women@STEM is a network supporting UCD women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to reach their full potential at any stage of their careers. Membership is open to students, staff, faculty and anyone who has the desire to drive diversity in STEM. You can become a member or contact womenstem@ucd.ie.

• Women@CompSci 

  UCD’s Women@CompSci is a group of students and staff based in the School of Computer Science. It is open to all students and staff of all genders and identities who would like to promote equality, diversity and inclusion. You can become a member of Women@CompSci by completing the Women@CompSci Membership Form.

Student Societies

• Women+ in STEM

  Women+ in STEM is a society that was set up in 2019 with the goal to develop and promote gender diversity within STEM at UCD. Find them on Twitter at @WomenInSTEM_UCD and on Instagram at @womeninstem_ucd.

• LGBTQ+ Society 

  The UCD LGBTQ+ Society is a student society aimed at engaging the LGBTQ+ community on campus. Through a wide range of events, services, and campaigns they aim to offer every member of our society the opportunity to enjoy themselves, to learn and understand more about the LGBTQ+ community, and to be there to support anyone who may need it.

• Mature Students Society 

  The Mature Student Society provides a social outlet where Mature Students can come together and meet each other in a relaxed and informal environment. They organise many events including lunches, breakfasts, day trips away and talks about the support available to students. 

• Culture and religion-specific networks - UCD has the following student societies dedicated to people of specific cultures or religions and those interested in learning more about them:
  • Arab Society
  • An Cumann Gaelach or Irish Society
  • Chinese Society
  • French Society
  • German Society
  • Indian Society
  • Islamic Society
  • Japanese Society
  • Livingstones
  • UCD Malaysian Society
  • Newman Catholic Society
  • Spanish Society

• International Students Societies

  • Erasmus Student Network
  • International Students Society 
    
    
• Societies in the College of Science and across the University include:
  • Chemical Society
  • Chemical Engineering Society
  • Mathematical Society
  • One Health Society
  • Physics Society
  • Pharmtox Society
  • Planning & Environmental Policy Society
  • Science Society
  • The Biological Society
  • Women+ in STEM Society