In This Section
- Home
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- News Archive
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- Newsletters
- EDIB Calendar
- Publications
- EDI Training Hub
- UCC Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Framework and Action Plan 2025-2028
- Governance and Oversight Committees
- Public Sector Duty
- Athena Swan
- Race Equality Action Plan
- Accenture's Women on Walls
- Speak Out
- Gender Identity and Expression
- Funded Projects
- Staff Networks
- ESVH Hub
- University of Sanctuary
- EDI Data
You Voice Matters
Welcome to the EDI Consultation website.
- Read about Why does it matter?
- To find out more about the EDI Consultation, go to Frequently Asked Questions.
- Participate in the EDI Consultation to help us make our University a better place (current UCC Staff only).
- All data records will be processed in line with the UCC Data Protection Policy and best practice. See Data Protection for details.
- Click on the Impact of the EDI Consultation to see the context of the previous consultation studies in UCC and why they work.
- Go to the Results site to see anonymised reports from previous consultation (UCC Staff only).
Why does it matter?
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) have been a central part of University life for many years. UCC's commitment to EDI is enshrined in the UCC Strategic Plan 2023-2028, EDI Framework Action Plan 2023-2028, and the Athena Swan Silver Action Plan 2024-2029.
Our community comprises a diverse group of individuals with varied lived experiences and needs. We aim to reflect the richness of our community in how we operate and how people feel when studying, working, and engaging with us on our campus and beyond.
Data refers to any piece of information, whether in numerical, textual or some other form. Data reveal something about an aspect of reality and can therefore be used for analysis, reasoning, or decision-making.
EDI Data (term used interchangeably with Equality Data, or Diversity Data) is any piece of information that is useful for describing and analysing the state of equality and diversity. It usually differs from ‘data’ per se in that it disaggregates groups of people or information by e.g. gender, disability, age and any other characteristics that might contribute to e.g. inequalities or discrimination.
- EDI Data is indispensable for identifying, monitoring, and addressing inequalities and diversity-based opportunities.
- The data collected during the EDI Consultation will help the University to gain a more accurate overview of its staff profile.
- It will facilitate understanding of our staff experiences, needs, opportunities and challenges.
- It will help us enhance our EDI (and beyond) offering, and successfully deliver our commitments, as outlined in aforementioned strategic plans.
- Assist with applications for the Athena Swan accreditation (school/unit-level and institutional).
- It enables the University to design targeted interventions to promote fairness and equal opportunities. For example, data on recruitment rates, leadership profiles, or educational attainment can highlight inequalities based on gender, race, disability, or other characteristics.
- Helps the University assess the real-world, and evidence-based impact of proposed policies, actions, or initiatives.
- It promotes accountability, as it can be used to hold the University accountable for its actions and ensure it meets its obligations to promote equality and non-discrimination.
- Meet mandatory data returns to the National Disability Authority (NDA), Higher Education Authority (HEA), and the Department of Education (DFHERIS).
- Undertake needs assessment as part of our Public Sector Duty commitments under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014.
- It ensures better EDI Data Collection and Monitoring
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the EDI Staff Consultations?
- EDI Consultations are quantitative and qualitative studies that the University undertakes with all staff every two years.
- Consultations comprise a 'Values and Culture' EDI Staff survey, and a collection of in-depth data through focus groups or EDI Gathering events.
Why is the EDI Consultation taking place?
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The principles and practice of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) have been central to university life for many years. EDI was identified as one of the key enablers in the UCC Strategic Plan, 2023-2028.
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EDI Unit runs all-staff consultation studies biennially, fulfilling actions in the “Securing our Future: UCC Strategic Plan, 2023-2028” (Goal 4.2 ii), “Belonging at UCC: A Strategic Framework for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 2025 – 2028” (2.11), and the UCC “Silver Gender Equality/Athena Swan (SAP) Action Plan, 2024 – 2029”.
- To facilitate understanding of our staff experiences in a wide range of topics such as working life, induction, promotion, leave, work-life balance, workload, promotions, career development opportunities, negative experiences (e.g. discrimination, bullying), an so on.
- To track and evidence progress and impact of the strategic action plans (as mentioned above).
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Under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014 and Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty, all public higher education institutions must undertake equality assessment and monitoring. This is in addition to policies and plans to promote equality, prevent discrimination, and protect the human rights of staff, students, and the wider public served by the higher education institution.
- To meet mandatory data returns to the National Disability Authority (NDA), Higher Education Authority (HEA), and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science (DFHERIS).
- The focus groups will examine topics raised in the survey in greater depth with a smaller number of staff, and only for those Schools and Units that apply for the Athena Swan accreditation.
See Impact of the EDI Consultation and EDI Data Collection and Monitoring for an overview of the impact that this data collection has had on working life in the University.
Why should I provide participate?
By taking part in any part of the EDI staff consultation, you help the University, as your employer, develop a culture that benefits and supports all employees. Your data, fully anonymised, will assist the University in:
- Identifying areas of priority in terms of policy development, initiatives, or resources.
- Developing tailored policies and interventions, avoiding the ‘one-size-fits-all' solutions.
- Enabling evidence-based consideration where under-representation is evident and needs addressing.
- Providing a vital part of reporting for the Athena Swan accreditation for School-level and Institutional applicants, which reporting is a requirement under the University’s performance agreement with the HEA.
- To assess progress and impact of previous commitments and KPIs.
- Providing a positive working environment where everyone can contribute and thrive, bringing their whole selves to work.
- Assessing the efficacy and impact of policies and initiatives.
- Meeting its legal reporting obligations.
How can I participate?
Go to 2026 Consultation to find out how you can take part in the most recent (2026) consultation (UCC staff only).
What sort of data will be collected?
Data Protection Notice and a dedicated Data Protection website explain what sort of data will be collected.
How will my data be used?
Data Protection Notice and a dedicated Data Protection website explain how your data collected through the consultation be used.
In summary, EDI Consultation findings will:
- Inform future policies and initiatives related to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Play a crucial role in evaluating progress and impact on multiple actions and KPIs.
- Aid School- and Institution-level Athena Swan applications.
- Inform mandatory data reporting to the HEA, NDA, DFHERIS and IHREC.
The data will not be viewed by your managers or your colleagues.
Who can participate in the EDI Staff Consultation?
- All current UCC staff in all roles and grades, with valid contracts are eligible and will be invited to participate in the 'Values and Culture' EDI staff survey. We encourage Heads of Schools/Units and Managers to make a special effort to ensure that colleagues who work part-time, on hourly occasional contracts, or in roles with limited reliance on email (e.g. security, grounds staff) are made aware of this consultation, have access to the survey link, and are encouraged to share their views.
- EDI Gathering - representatives of diverse staff and student groups will be invited to take part.
- Athena Swan Focus Groups - selected groups of staff from schools and units applying for the Athena Swan participation will be contacted in due time with the details of participation.
How is my data going to be protected?
EDI consultations follow strict data protection rules and best practice as outlined in the University's Data Protection Policy. The University's Social Research Ethics Committee (SREC) and Data Protection Officer (DPO) oversees and approves the ethics and data protection documentation.
Visit Data Protection section for more information on the types of data collected, who has access and how is the data going to be processed.
Do I have to participate?
No. University staff are invited to participate confidentially and voluntarily.
Who is responsible for the consultation?
UCC’s EDI Unit is responsible for the development and coordination of the consultation from securing ethics, through recruitment and data collection, to data analysis and reporting.
The EDI Unit team would like to acknowledge the contributions of the many UCC staff who provided important feedback during the development of the EDI Consultation.
The University's EDI Governance Structure oversees this consultation and the results.
Contact edicultureandvalues@ucc.ie or ediunit@ucc.ie if you have questions.