We are delighted to announce that the 2022 winners of the John Kelly Awards for Universal Design in Further and Higher Education are:
Dr Anita Byrne, Dundalk Institute of Technology - UDL Excellence in Implementation
Atlantic Technological University - UDL Excellence in Collaboration
Image: ATU's Niamh Plunkett and Maureen Haran accepting the UDL Excellence in Collaboration Award with John Kelly, Mark Glynn, Anna Kelly and Dara Ryder.
The John Kelly Awards Final was held in UCD O’Reilly Hall on Monday 17 October. The Awards, a collaboration between UCD and AHEAD, celebrate and recognise excellence and innovation in embedding universal design in both individual practice, and more systematically through strategic collaborative action in Ireland. The awards were relaunched this year with a new application and review process, with new rubrics drawn up following consultation with the national Universal Design community. Following review by an international panel of experts, six individual and four collaborative applications were selected to present their work in front of a live audience and judging panel.
Shortlisted Finalists Individual Award:
Tara O'Halloran Cronin - Kerry College
Elaine Wallace - University of Galway
Cormac Flynn - Atlantic Technological University
Lucia Cloonan - Atlantic Technological University
Treasa Campbell - Mary Immaculate College
Anita Byrne - Dundalk Institute of Technology
Shortlisted Finalists Collaborative Award:
Atlantic Technological University
National Learning Network
University College Cork
University of Limerick
Image: Anita Byrne the UDL Excellence in Implementation Award with John Kelly, Mark Glynn, Anna Kelly and Dara Ryder.
Keith Moynes, Head of Higher Education Policy Division, Assistant Secretary DFHERIS opened the event. Citing the ‘whole of education’ approach and the first student centred goal of 'Inclusivity' in the new National Access Plan, he emphasised the crucial role of Universal Design in removing stigmatising labels and those concepts used in the past to ensure that all students have a positive experience and have a sense of belonging.
The quality of submissions was very high and our international panel of UDL experts were so impressed by the innovative practice that is going on nationwide. The strength of the applications for the both categories highlighted the diverse creative strategic thinking and offers a blueprint for institutions and individuals worldwide.The judging panel consisted of:
(Chair) Dr Mark Glynn - Consultant, EY
Dr Tracy Galvin - Senior Lecturer in Academic Practice Senior Lecturer in Academic Practice, Glasgow Caledonian University
Dr Mustapha Aabi - Horizon Europe NCP for Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society / Civil Security for Society, Ibn Zohr University
Dr Frederic Fovet - Assistant Professor, Thompson Rivers University & Founder, Implement UDL
The finalists’ presentations showcased the breadth and depth of Universal Design for Learning practice that is being embedded within Further and Higher Education. The individual presentations ranged from the practice of midwifery and beauty therapy to marketing and biomedical engineering. The collaborative presentations outlined the range of strategies being employed to embed UDL across institutions showcasing how communities of practice are being developed and leadership buy-in is being secured through communication and the development of shared resources.
We were delighted to have former UCD Registrar, Professor Emeritus John Kelly present the awards. As well as the two overall winners, two One to Watch awards were presented to applicants who emerged from the process showing fantastic promise: Emer Thornbury, National College of Ireland - One to Watch Individual and Donegal Education and Training Board - One to Watch Organisation.
We want to congratulate our winners and all of the finalists for their fantastic work and continued commitment to the implementation of Universal Design. Special thanks to all the applicants, reviewers and judges.
Image: Donegal ETB's Charles Gorney, Angela McElhinny and Treasa McGinley accepting the One to Watch Organisation Award with John Kelly, Mark Glynn, Anna Kelly and Dara Ryder.