Equality, Diversity and Inclusion have been a core focus of teaching, research and policy activity for a wide range of UCC staff and students for decades. At University level, the UCC Equality Committee has existed for many years and has advise and the University on equality initiatives, and produced equality strategies and annual reports. A Higher Education Equality Unit existed in UCC from 1998 to 2002.  With the aim of providing a holistic university approach covering both staff and students, the establishment of an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Unit in University College Cork was announced by President Patrick O'Shea on International Women's Day, March 8th 2017. 

Some of the key responsibilities of the EDI Director and Unit are to:

• Lead on the development and delivery of the EDI strategy across UCC, working with the University senior leadership team and wider partners in support of the University Strategic Plan.
  Provide high-level special guidance on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and access additional expert resource from across the University.
• Work in conjunction with the Deputy President and Registrar and Director of Human Resources to take responsibility for setting EDI strategic objectives, developing policy and delivering KPIs.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues on strategic objectives across the organisation to increase participation of all parts of the University and develop robust knowledge sharing mechanisms to ensure the University management team and colleagues are briefed and the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded and inform every aspect of the University’s work
• Lead and oversee the University’s Athena SWAN award and other national initiatives and provide effective management and support of various University committees and groups.
• Support staff to demonstrate their commitment to EDI.
• Raise awareness amongst all staff to fulfill their responsibilities to comply with UCC’s regulations, policies and procedures.

EDI Online Orientation

For more information on the unit and its project and initiative, please see: www.ucc.ie/en/edi