NCI Keeps a Focus on Gender Equality & Inclusion
4th September 2024
National College of Ireland (NCI) has successfully renewed its Athena Swan Bronze Award in recognition of its commitment to gender equality and to developing an environment that is inclusive of its diverse communities.
The NCI’s mission is to ‘change lives through education.’ For more than 70 years, the College has worked to deliver that mission by continually responding to the everchanging needs of staff and students.
Since first being awarded the Athena Swan Bronze Award in 2020, NCI have taken many significant steps to achieve its goals, such as the development of remote and hybrid working methodologies, the Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment framework, an autism friendly campus accreditation, the creation of a sensory room for students and staff, and the provision of a range of training in areas such as unconscious bias, inclusive leadership, consent and disability in the workplace.
NCI has also developed specific initiatives such as The Menopause Workplace Guide, and the Brigit’s Basket campaign which supports the provision of free period products for all staff and students at National College of Ireland.
The cornerstone to National College of Ireland’s submission for the renewed Athena Swan Bronze Award is the college’s 2024-2029 Gender Equality Action Plan which outlines measurable and impactful actions the College will undertake over the next five years.
The Athena Swan Bronze Award affirms that an institution:
•Is aware of gender equality issues at an institutional level.
•Understands that intersectional gender equality is critical.
•Has identified and embraced challenges.
•Has clear and achievable future plans.
Athena Swan Charter in Ireland
The Athena Swan charter is a framework that is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality in higher education and research.
The charter launched in Ireland in 2015 with a specific remit to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in STEM. The charter has since been expanded to include arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law, and staff working in professional, managerial, and support roles.
Aurora at NCI
Another fantastic example of one of the many actions taken at National College of Ireland, is its involvement with Aurora. Aurora is Advance HE’s leadership development initiative for women. This initiative is a unique partnership bringing together leadership experts, higher education providers, and research institutes to take positive action to address the under-representation of women in leadership positions in the sector. National College of Ireland is a proud supporter of Aurora and have had many women participating since 2018. The College’s most recent Aurora Graduation ceremony took place yesterday.
Pictured at the Aurora Graduation ceremony are (l-r): Deirdre McCarthy, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Training Manager; Stephanie Roe, Senior Education Specialist, Centre for Education and Lifelong Learning; Caoimhe Ní Mhaicín, E-Resources and Licensing Co-ordinator, NCI Library; Dr Lynn Farrell, Assistant Professor in Psychology, School of Business; Emer Thornbury, Programme Director and Lecturer, School of Computing, and Professor Gina Quin, NCI President.
