Dean’s Inclusion Award Winner 2021
The Dean’s Inclusion Award for 2021 was presented to Dr Niamh Nestor, Vet Student Advisor, on 21 February 2022.
Dean and Head of School, Professor Michael Doherty, presented the award to Niamh at an event in the UCD University Club attended by staff, students and Niamh's colleagues and friends from across UCD.
Professor Steve Gordon (co-Chair of the School's EDI Athena SWAN Committee), Dr Niamh Nestor (Vet Student Advisor & Dean's Inclusion Award recipient), Professor Michael Doherty (Dean & Head of School) and Dr Cliona Skelly (co-Chair of the School's EDI Athena SWAN Committee)

Staff and students from the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine with Dr Niamh Nestor, Vet Student Advisor & Dean's Inclusion Award recipient
Excerpt from Niamh's Acceptance Speech:
"We can’t talk about equality and inclusion without talking about intersectionality – the notion that all oppression is linked. In this, we have to interrogate our own privilege and ensure a diversity of voices in our leadership and decision-making structures. We are all allies in this fight, but in that fight we have to remember that inequality for one is ultimately inequality for all. In particular we remember our brothers and sisters the world over who do not enjoy the privileges we do.
I want to say a special word to the students who are here today. I’m so proud of your generation – your bravery, self-awareness and the way you stand up for what is right and just. Building on the work of those who have gone before us, my generation is hopefully continuing to pave the way for you and for future generations.
Finally, I would like to dedicate this award to my beautiful Nanny who bore the inequalities meted out to her sex with grace, compassion, and reluctant acceptance and no small amount of righteous anger and frustration. I took inspiration from her as a young girl – she was the first feminist I knew – and I truly wish she could have experienced a different kind of world where her talents, her smarts and her power could have been recognised in a way that fulfilled her."