We teach over 800 students from more than 20 countries. We welcome feedback from our diverse staff and students to improve and foster inclusivity.

Our values of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) match the University's goals and the global EDI agenda. These values help us innovate and attract the best talent.

Our goal is to support the careers and wellbeing of our students and staff, helping everyone do their best work.

Our strategy for 2020-2025 focuses on five key areas:

  1. Community and Healthcare: Improving healthcare outcomes.
  2. Governance: Effective management and economic responsibility.
  3. Research: Conducting impactful research.
  4. Education: Promoting academic excellence and diversity.
  5. Culture and People: Creating a supportive and inclusive culture.

We aim to create a safe place to work and study, encouraging personal growth and wellbeing for all.

Our mission and journey

Our mission is to offer top-quality education and research in medicine and health, creating outstanding graduates and leaders who improve healthcare for patients and communities.

Our culture shapes our work and learning environment. It includes our mission, values, and how we interact.

We value Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), aligning with the University's goals and global EDI standards.

These values help us innovate and attract top talent. We aim to promote the health and well-being of our staff, students, and communities, empowering everyone to reach their full potential.

We are proud of our commitment to EDI, recognised with the Athena Swan Bronze Award in 2021. We continue to work with the faculty to maintain this commitment.

Students at School of Medicine

 

Athena Swan/Gender Equality Framework

The Head of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) at the School of Medicine and the Athena Swan/EDI Self Assessment Team managed the Athena Swan EDI initiatives from 2018 and the 2020 Strategic Plan.

The Athena Swan/EDI framework supports positive changes for staff and students, following the principles of the expanded Athena Swan Charter from 2021.

Athena Swan Gender Equality Action Plan areas

  1. Career development and mentoring
  2. Open communication and information sharing
  3. Workload and workload allocation
  4. Evaluation

Strategic approach: People and culture action plan areas

  1. Implement Athena Swan principles and measures
  2. Celebrate diversity among staff and students
  3. Promote networking and visibility for staff and students
  4. Support health and wellbeing across the School
  5. Motivate and foster sustainability

The School of Medicine's top priorities for addressing gender equality issues in leadership, career progression, workload, work flexibility, and work-life balance are central to our 2022-2026 Gender Action Plan.

We are also continuing to strengthen and protect EDI principles in our school culture and community.

Our five priority action areas to address these goals

  1. Embedding EDI into SoM Athena Swan and strategic planning; 
  2. Supporting career development and implementing a career framework for clinical tutor staff;
  3. Advancing well-defined criteria and support for progression, promotion and job evaluation processes for all staff cohorts;
  4. Expanding staff mentoring initiatives; 
  5. Safeguarding EDI in student populations.
UL-led paper calls for ‘paradigm shift’ to participatory health research with refugees and migrants

 

Relevant supports available to our students

UL Student Counselling Service

The UL Counselling Service is a first point of contact for any student mental health needs and operates 9-5 Mon-Fri during term time and for most of the summer. 

Togetherall 

Togetherall is a safe online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing.

Togetherall is free to use and provides an anonymous, safe, mental health and wellbeing service to all students and is accessible 24/7, 365 days. 

You can access: 

  • Free 24/7 peer-to-peer support 
  • Self-guided Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) based courses and resources 
  • Clinically validated self-assessments 
  • Signposting to UL and local services 
  • 24-hour messaging providing advice, support and active listening

Silvercloud 

Silvercloud is an online free and anonymous self-help Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) platform. It is available 24/7 to all UL students and staff. 

UL Chaplaincy 

The Chaplaincy at UL offers a welcoming space and supportive presence to students and staff. They promote an open and caring environment where diversity is respected. 

Chaplains can be contacted by phone or email: 
john.campion@ul.ie / 086-2632458
sarah.orourke@ul.ie / 086-4127485 

 

EDI research within our schools

  • Dr Niamh Cummins: EDI in Emergency Medical Services, Health Inequalities, Experiences of Early Career Academics
     
  • Dr Elaine Kolshus: Impact of EDI issues and culture on medical student perceptions of participation in the patient role during peer exam
     
  • Dr Maria Doyle: Equity, diversity and inclusion in open-source software communities
     
  • Dr Clare Conway and Emmeline Searson-Power: Intercultural competencies development

 

Athena Swan EDI committee

The School of Medicine EDI committee in the school is chaired by Dr Evelyn Murphy (Head of EDI) with over 20 members drawn from academic, and professional services staff and students within the School.

The work of the committee has ensured that the School Athena Swan award has been renewed. 

Ethnicity

One-third of committee members have moved to Ireland from another country

Gender

Five male committee members

19 female committee members

Positions

Academic; Administrator; Clinical Tutor; Technical Officer; Student

Responsibility

75% of members have at least one caring responsibility