News & Events

This update outlines recent developments in the university’s Academic Advising Initiative, including the expansion of the Academic Advising Pilot and a summary of important resources available to support staff and students with academic advising.

Academic Advising Pilot Expands for 2025/26

As part of the university’s Academic Advising Initiative, the Academic Advising Pilot is entering its second year of student participation and expanding for the 2025/26 academic year. The pilot has grown from five to a total of nine participating schools, alongside the Ad Astra Academy. This expansion brings the total number of participants to approximately 2220 students and 417 staff.

All students involved in the pilot are contacted by their academic advisor to arrange a meeting to discuss their educational development. These meetings have either already taken place or will be scheduled shortly.

The Principles and Objectives of Academic Advising provide a common framework within which each school has developed a locally customised model that reflects their unique disciplinary context and student needs. The pilot is supported by the Academic Advising InfoHub and e2s systems, for which the technical requirements were defined directly by participating schools to facilitate efficient advising processes. 

The pilot participants for this academic year are:

• School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science - Stages 3 and 4 (Senior Academic Advisor - Professor Geraldine Butler)
• School of Chemistry - Stage 3 (Senior Academic Advisor - Associate Professor Robert Johnson)
• School of Earth Sciences - Stages 3 and 4 (Senior Academic Advisor - Dr Lawrence Amy)
• School of History - Stage 1 (Senior Academic Advisor - Dr Sandra Scanlon)
• School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore - Stages 1 and 2 (Senior Academic Advisor - Associate Professor Fangzhe Qui)
• School of Law - Stages 1 and 2 (Senior Academic Advisor - Associate Professor Tj McIntyre)
• School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems - Stages 1 and 2 (Senior Academic Advisor - Dr Michael Connolly)
• School of Psychology - Stages 1 and 2 (Associate Professor Ciara Greene)
• School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science - (BSc Sport, Health and Exercise Science) Stage 1 (Senior Academic Advisor - Dr Sinead Holden)
• Ad Astra Academy

Information for Students Participating in the Pilot

As part of the pilot a dedicated webpage with information for students has been published. This resource features a series of videos where staff and students share their experiences, helping students to understand the benefits of academic advising and what to expect from their meetings. Colleagues involved in the pilot will find this a valuable resource to share, and for all staff, it offers insight into how the pilot is being communicated to students.

Academic Advising Resources for All Staff

To support colleagues engaged in academic advising, we are pleased to share the following key resources, which are available to all staff:

• Free UKAT Online Training: As part of our institutional membership, all UCD staff can access short, self-paced online courses from the UK Advising and Tutoring Association (UKAT). These courses feature brief videos (under 10 minutes), practical exercises and a digital badge upon completion.
• Education Plan Webpage: This new page draws on expert content from the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) to help advisors guide students in developing meaningful educational plans and fostering critical thinking skills.
• Academic Advisor Signposting Document: This signposting document equips academic advisors to effectively connect students with the right support services across UCD. It is designed to empower students to find the right support independently and includes resources on topics ranging from academic skills to navigating university life.

Find Out More