What We Do

The School of Medicine EDI Committee works across the School to promote inclusive practices, identify and address barriers to equality, and support positive change across education, research, clinical and professional activities. The Committee also champions EDI initiatives, supports staff and student development, and promotes the principles of the Athena SWAN Charter.

Our work to date has included a wide range of initiatives, including activities to mark International Women’s Day and International Men’s Day; information campaigns on career development, mentoring and making the most of Performance and Development Reviews; analysis of gender disparities in promotion processes and student degree outcomes; and representation of the School of Medicine at UCC Access events.

The Committee, chaired by Beth Brint, Department of Pathology, comprises 20 members representing all staff categories across the School, alongside undergraduate and postgraduate student representatives. The Committee meets approximately six times a year.

All Committee members also participate in a working group, each led by a designated member. Working groups focus on key areas aligned with the School’s Athena SWAN action plan and support the Committee in progressing specific EDI priorities.

Terms of Reference

Guiding Principle

The Committees’ primary function shall be to promote a culture of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and to foster an inclusive environment that respects and supports diverse identities and experiences within the School of Medicine.

1. Terms of Reference

The role of the School of Medicine Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee is;

• To promote a culture of Equality Diversity and Inclusion within the SoM student body and staff.
• To provide guidance to SoM on EDI best practice and to fulfil the schools’ responsibilities to comply with UCC’s regulations, policies and procedures.
• To champion and support EDI good practice initiatives within the School, COMH, UCC and wider HEI community.
• To promote the Athena SWAN (AS) Charter principles within the School.
• To ensure that EDI remains on the agenda of all School and Departmental/ Discipline meetings.

2. Key Responsibilities

• To capture staff and student data and experiences related EDI in the SoM via data collection, surveys and focus groups (as required).
• To analyse EDI data and identify barriers to EDI across teaching, research, clinical and administrative practices.
• To develop actions to address issues related to EDI identified, in consultation with the wider SoM community.
• To review new and revised SoM policies and procedures to ensure best practices of EDI within the SoM.
• To commission the School’s AS self-assessment team (SAT) committee to submit an AS application every 3-years and to support the AS SAT in the development of the application.
• Together with the AS SAT, to oversee the implementation of the AS action plan, report on status and impact of action items
• To support SoM staff for career advancement and promotional opportunities through designing and delivering events such as targeted workshops, mentoring sessions, and networking opportunities.
• To organise events to promote EDI practices to the SoM community.
• Provide guidance and information on EDI to the School on staff, undergraduate and postgraduate student induction.
• To represent the SoM at EDI committees at COMH and University level.
• To liaise with the other SoMs, nationally and internationally, to establish a forum to share good EDI practices.
• To support members of the School (staff/PG/UG) to learn and upskill on EDI practices and challenges.

3. Membership

Membership shall be for a three-year period and will aim to reflect a diverse cross-section of the School of Medicine community, including (where possible) representation from all academic units and departments within the SoM in the following staff and student categories

• Chair
• Professional Services staff
• Technical Staff
• Research staff (Research assistants, Postdoctoral staff)
• Academic staff at all levels (Lecturer B/B, A/B, SL and professorial)
• CUH/UCC joint academic appointees
• PGR student
• UG students from several degree programmes
• Representation from AS SAT/AS SAT Executive

Members will be invited through a transparent and participatory approach, and expressions of interest will be welcomed from across the community, with selection guided by principles of fairness and inclusion.

4. Meeting Frequency

• Minimum of 6 meetings per year or more often as required

5. Subcommittees

• The committee may establish subcommittees/working groups to focus on specific areas e.g curriculum review, staff development as required
• The committee will commission the AS SAT a minimum of a year prior to submission of a new AS application. Members from the EDI committee can also be members of the AS SAT and vice versa. Cross-representation between the two groups will support alignment of goals.

6. Committee Roles

• The Chair shall serve for three years, subject to variation with the approval of the Head of School and subject to arrangements for rotation of membership to ensure
• The outgoing Chair to be supported from start of third year proposed incoming Chair (Vice-chair). This incoming chair will be appointed by the Dean following an open call to all SoM staff. The outgoing chair will remain a member of the EDIC for one further year to support the incoming Chair.
• In appointing members, the Chair and committee will ensure (a) an appropriate gender balance, and (b) a diverse mix of roles/ grades/ backgrounds representing different stages of the career ladder, particularly at the early and mid-career stages, and including student representation, in line with Advance HE
• Administrative support will be provided by the School of Medicine

7. Reporting

• The School of Medicine EDI Committee will report to the Dean of the School of Medicine with regular updates shared with relevant leadership bodies, including the School of Medicine Executive and the College of Medicine & Health EDI Committee.
• The School of Medicine EDI Committee will provide annual updates on progress, challenges, and future plans.
• The School of Medicine EDI Committee will maintain transparency through published minutes or summaries.

8. Review of Terms of Reference

• These Terms of Reference will be reviewed every three years or earlier if required, to reflect changes in institutional policy, national frameworks, or committee priorities.

Note: The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee is not responsible for individual staff or student issues which may arise and these matters will be channelled to the appropriate person(s).