Civic Engagement Forum Minutes

Brandon Perry, DCUSU

• Planning is well underway for RAG (raising and giving) week in week four of semester, with us raising money for the Poppintree Early Education Centre which recently burned down. We have a variety of events planned in collaboration with various clubs & societies for the week. Planning has also begun on Darkness Into Light, albeit in its early stages.
• The rest of the team have been organising weeks such as intercultural week and SHAG (sexual health and guidance) week. Preparations are also underway for this years' Students' Union elections."

Sylwia Kazmierczak-Murray, School of Inclusive and Special Education 

• The ISL STEM Glossary (led by Dr Elizabeth Matthews) run an event in November on Menopause (with RCSI), for Deaf women.
• Sinéad McCauley Lambe was invited to speak on the role of play in children’s development at the Irish Society of Community and Public Health Medicine. Sinead also provides CPD on handwriting instruction to schools.
• Sylwia Kazmierczak-Murray, Paula Lehane and Christina Hannify have established an Interprofessional Community of Practice for Teachers and Speech and Language Therapists focused on literacy. The CoP runs online twice a month
• Aoife Brennan, Joe Travers and Fiona King are providing consultancy to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Practice-Based Research Pilot Programme. They support schools to engage in research on inclusion within their schools.
• Laura Gormley collaborates with the Federation of Early Childhood Providers to assess the well-being of those who own/ run early childhood services in Ireland.
• Leanne Connolly works with the National Association of Special School Principals (NASSP) on the co-creation of a policy and supporting guidelines for facilitating Work Experience for students in Special Schools.
• Paula Lehane is a member of a new Technical Working Group established by the NCCA to assist in the redevelopment of guidance on assessment for primary and special schools. 

Christine O’Kelly, Age-Friendly

• Love of Lifelong Learning proving very popular with over 100 participants and demands growing(Photography/Botanical Art/Opera/Painting/Psychology/Art Appreciation/Languages)
• AFU DCU has been awarded Erasmus+Adult Accreditation, which will allow us to take our participants on mobilities to visit other organisations.  We will be hosting a group from Spain and Italy in the Spring and hope to reciprocate their visits.
• We are hosting visits from the University of Guadalejara Mexico Jann 27 - 31 and a delegation from Yonsie University South Korea (Feb 4 - 6)
• We have two new staff members Maria Robles (on an INTRA) from Canada and Carolina Cortez (Chile).
• We are participating in an 8-week Cicerone Pilot Project, which focuses on cultural sharing and learning online using Google Meet and an online language translation platform.
• Our Memorable Project (Erasmus funded) kicked off in Bulgaria in early Jan.  The focus of the project is to explore how we can extend cultural opportunities to people living with Dementia in residential care as an elaboration of the COPE project.
• We have been invited to present at the EFOS Conference (European Federation of Older Students) in March
• The AFU Coordinator continues to support the growth of the AFU Global Network and is making a presentation to Mary Immaculate College in Limerick in February.  She will also be presenting AFU at an online conference at the University of Ljubliana in March.
• The AFU office will be taking part in the 50+ Show at the RDS - a fertile recruitment opportunity and DCU AFU will be featured in their magazine Senior Time s and will be taking part in a podcast."

Catriona Murphy, School of Nursing Psychotherapy and Community Health

• Intersex 101, Introductory workshop covering social, healthcare, and human rights aspects of the intersex experience. Open public workshop organised by Sessfem Bologna: May 2024 Bologna Italy. (Marta Prandelli, PhD Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow SNPCH, co-leading with Italian NGO Intersex Esiste).
• The intersex question. Life stories and social recognition: Workshop for Italian middle and high school teachers, part of THE CARE - Civil Actors for Rights and Empowerment” project, funded by ActionAid International Italia ETS, Fondazione Realizza il Cambiamento and The European Union: May 2024. (Marta Prandelli, PhD Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow SNPCH, co-leading with Italian NGO Intersex Esiste).
• HSE Dublin North-East National Counselling Service: Clinical Supervisor training workshop for clinical staff. June 2024 2nd of 2 workshops (Aisling McMahon)
• The Ukrainian Emergency. A cooperation path. Online presentation discussing the Italian Red Cross’s actions in Ukraine and international cooperation frameworks. Invited presentation for stakeholders, local government, and sponsors: May 2024. (Marta Prandelli, PhD Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow SNPCH & Italian Red Cross expert on international cooperation)
• Recovery college  launched the Ballymun Declaration in May Draft Ballymun Declaration (recoverycollege.ie). The Network are involved in a North South Project with community organisations looking at mental health and poverty called VEEP, webinar https://www.cdhn.org/event/part-our-voice-equality-experience-power-ini…; September 2024 (Martha Griffin & Liam MacGabhann)
• Consultancy provided to guide and support development of staff peer supervision/intervision groups in Gheel Autism Services monthly 2024 (Aisling McMahon) (ongoing, once-monthly)
• Jigsaw Youth Mental Health Service: Clinical Supervisor training workshops for clinical staff 2 x one-day workshops (Aisling McMahon)
• National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS): Clinical Supervisor training workshop for nationwide educational psychologists (1st of 3 workshops) (Aisling McMahon)
• Competing Bodies: Sport, Gender, and Human Rights. This open discussion explored the narratives around intersex bodies in sports, media, and human rights, using the Olympic case of Imane Khelif as a starting point. Open public roundtable organised by UnitelmaSapienza University in Rome, part of the DSGE Agora Event Series: The Social Dimension of the Legal and Economic Sciences. 12/11/24 Rome (Marta Prandelli Invited expert on Intersex Studies)

Aidan O'Driscoll, DCU Access Service

• Hello, I would just like to introduce myself as the Schools Outreach Officer for Access as this is my first time attending.
• Aine Travers, School of Psychology
• "Participatory research workshop with NGOs and activists held in Kampala, Uganda, to discuss evidence gaps and research/programming priorities in relation to gender-based violence prevention (Áine Travers)
• Workshop with teachers from Ubuntu Network in Maynooth on addressing problematic masculinity influencers in classroom settings (Darragh McCashin)
• Visit to Swords Community College next month to be interviewed by students about online safety and mental health/wellbeing (Darragh McCashin)
• School of Psychology anniversary event to take place in February (date TBC) on the theme of addressing addiction and problematic substance use in communities. 

Carine Metiefeng Mambou, "EmpowerHer: Breaking Barriers, Celebrating Diversity"

• I am happy to announce the upcoming launch of my book, “MY FEMINISM IS HUMANISM: Reconciling Equality and Dignity with Passion”, on March 7, 2025, in celebration of International Women’s Day. This transformative work will be available in both French and English, reflecting its global and inclusive message.
• The book delves into the intersections of feminism, humanism, and societal transformation, offering insights on fostering equality while respecting cultural diversity. It addresses pressing issues such as gender-based violence, societal stereotypes, and the power of collaboration between men and women in building equitable communities.
• The launch event will include discussions, readings, and networking opportunities, uniting advocates, leaders, and thinkers committed to equality and dignity. Stay tuned for more details on the event program and how you can join us in this celebration of collective progress and solidarity.
• Together, let’s redefine feminism as a shared human endeavour!"

Deiric O'Broin, Office of Civic Engagement

• The DBEC Summit is taking place on 27th February 2025 at the ICC Belfast. This event will showcase the DBEC’s efforts to drive policy and create a more dynamic and high-performing cross-border economy. The summit will bring together key stakeholders from government, business, academia, and various agencies to engage in thought-provoking discussions about the future of the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor. As this region continues to grow as a strategic economic hub, the event will provide a platform to:

  • Analyse emerging trends that are shaping the regional economy.

  • Explore cutting-edge solutions that are fuelling growth in vital sectors.

  • Highlight benefits of collaboration between public and private entities to unlock new opportunities.

  • Help shape the future of the Dublin-Belfast corridor, reinforcing its role as a key driver of economic development.

  • See more details at https://www.dbec.info/event/dbec-summit-2025/"

Liam MacGabhann, SNPCH  Recovery College

• Developing a Trauma Informed Community Response to Dual Diagnosis in Drogheda & North East region' - This project is now almost complete with the final process focussing on establishing sustainability in the region.
• 'Developing a Framework for Recovery Education Across the Irish Prison Service' - this national project is now underway with another prison added to the aspirations of the three year project.
• The Recovery college is presently a  lead partner in  completing a one year north south grant funded community development project in association with Community Work Ireland and Community Development and Health Network; developing an all Island Network to explore relationship between poverty and mental health issues.
• Through the same consortium with the Recovery College under the collective Community Development Mental Health Network we have been awarded another all Ireland grant from the Shared Island Civic Society Fund to broaden the Network and create and create an all Island Open Dialogue in relation to mental health."

Laurence van der Haegen, DCU Access - Community Outreach

• AONTAS Star Awards Nomination for Change Makers programme (Third-level Access and Engagement category). Collaborative project between DCU, MU & TUS Athlone. Awards on 5th Feb25.
• Headstart in the Community programme (DCU & AES Ballymun) - Starting Fri 31st Jan'25
• A programme for adult learners considering a return to Education.
• Traveller Ethnicity Day (26th Feb- 5th Mar)
• Literature display with children's books and academic articles. New books to be ordered into the library. Contact; harry.mallon@dcu.ie
• “Our Neighbour, Our Friend' Part 2 (Finglas & Cabra), 9th Apr'25 - Presenting DCU Community Outreach programme.
• - Community Education Forum meets bi-monthly in DCU, inc. local education providers. "

Pádraig Murphy, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

• Second meeting of All-Ireland Engaged Research group today, online, with  Luke Quinlan as host at DCU. Among items discussed: terms of reference for the group, training activities, interactions with Research Ireland on ER, CoARA.

Luke Quinlan, Office of Civic Engagement / DCU Engaged Research

Engaged Research: 

•  the newly formly All-Island Engaged Research Coordinators Network is meeting for the second time on Wednesday, 29 Jan 2025. This group is to replace the former Campus Engage committee. It includes all the Irish universities as well as some of the TUs on the island.  

Volunteering:  

• Discussions with StudentVolunteer.ie are ongoing while the Office of Civic Engagement are trying to find a mechanism to record and present volunteer data to the HEA.

DCU in the Community: 

• DCU in the Community Centre on Shangan Rd. is to close its doors this Friday, 31 Jan 2025.
• community education programmes are set to be delivered in partnership with community actors going forward.
• The new bridge-to-education programme 'Headstart in the Community' is being delivered in partnership between DCU in the Community, DCU Access and the Ballymun AES. Start date is the 31 January 2025.
• DCU is to pilot a communiversity-style initiative in 2025, entitled 'Lectures in your Library'. This is to be delivered in partnership between DCU in the Community, Dublin North-West Partnership and the Ballymun and Finglas libraries. This programme will take place from March to May 2025. "

Meadhbh Hannon, Office of Civic Engagement / DCU Volunteer

• Embrace Autism Dublin 9 - school emails to students
• Volunteer Helpdesk is back after the break, had Foróige in.
• Some new organisations have been reaching out about volunteering opportunities.
• Working on organising a mini volunteer fair focusing on volunteering for summer projects in Dublin, will hopefully take place after St. Patrick's Day."

Una Mccabe, School of Arts Education and Movement

• The Drama, Art and Music teams continue to collaborate with the Ark Children's Centre to support the advancement of a child's right to arts and culture. This has included work with a DEIS school in Finglas who wish to develop their arts provision, and will include another local school (Gracepark ETNS on the All Hallows Campus) after Christmas who will be invited for a dramatic worlds play experience with our students and an Ark artist.
• In semester two as part of the partnership we will faciliate the Ark in bringing Children's Theatre to North Dublin, at St Patrick's Campus.
• (An Ant called Amy-This is a story about an ant called Amy (an award-winning ant one might add), her brother Andy and a Brown Spider. Amy the ant works very hard. When she wins the Employee of the Month Award, Amy feels a happiness that drives her to work even harder. But is she truly content?
• With the help of the Brown Spider, Amy learns to find true happiness by appreciating the world around her and celebrating her brother’s memory in the everyday.

• Dr Lucy Hill is also providing consultancy to the Ark in the form of online support for teachers and adults in visual art teaching through a resource called Kit and Kaboodle.  

   

Carine Metiefeng Mambou, "Empower Her: Breaking Barriers, Celebrating Diversity"

“Empower Her: Breaking Barriers, Celebrating Diversity" event

o   Was held in June 2024 at the Teacher's Club, successfully brought together over 150 participants to celebrate diversity and promote gender equality.

o   Key discussions centered on breaking gender stereotypes, empowering women from diverse backgrounds, and fostering inclusion in society.

o   Inspirational speeches by leaders and panel discussions showcased practical solutions for supporting women and promoting leadership across various sectors.

o   The event concluded with a celebration of accomplishments, fostering a spirit of collaboration and empowerment for women.

o   It was unfortunate that none of you were able to attend the event.

“Effectively Dealing with Stress to Enhance Happiness"

o    Will take place on December 14, 2024 

o    The venue will be confirmed in due course

o    This training session will focus on practical tools for managing stress and boosting well-being, using techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing, and positive affirmations. 

o    Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your mental well-being!

Catriona Murphy, School of Nursing Psychotherapy and Community Health

·Intersex 101, Introductory workshop covering social, healthcare, and human rights aspects of the intersex experience. Open public workshop organised by Sessfem Bologna: May 2024 Bologna Italy. (Marta Prandelli, PhD Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow SNPCH, co-leading with Italian NGO Intersex Esiste).

·The intersex question. Life stories and social recognition: Workshop for Italian middle and high school teachers, part of THE CARE - Civil Actors for Rights and Empowerment” project, funded by ActionAid International Italia ETS, Fondazione Realizza il Cambiamento and The European Union: May 2024. (Marta Prandelli, PhD Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow SNPCH, co-leading with Italian NGO Intersex Esiste).

·HSE Dublin North-East National Counselling Service: Clinical Supervisor training workshop for clinical staff. June 2024 2nd of 2 workshops (Aisling McMahon)

·The Ukrainian Emergency. A cooperation path. Online presentation discussing the Italian Red Cross’s actions in Ukraine and international cooperation frameworks. Invited presentation for stakeholders, local government, and sponsors: May 2024. (Marta Prandelli, PhD Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow SNPCH & Italian Red Cross expert on international cooperation)

·Recovery college launched the Ballymun Declaration in May Draft Ballymun Declaration (recoverycollege.ie). The Network are involved in a North South Project with community organisations looking at mental health and poverty called VEEP, webinar https://www.cdhn.org/event/part-our-voice-equality-experience-power-ini…; September 2024 (Martha Griffin & Liam MacGabhann)

·Consultancy provided to guide and support development of staff peer supervision/intervision groups in Gheel Autism Services monthly 2024 (Aisling McMahon) (ongoing, once-monthly)

Christine O'Kelly , Age-Friendly University

·We organized the UN Day of Older People on October 1st in collaboration with the School of History and Geography. Participants were invited to explore maps of the area and share their memories and stories. These stories, photos, and memorabilia were recorded and digitized onto a digital map, creating an ongoing collection of voices and experiences from Dublin. Disappointing response from DCU circulating the information or mentioning the event.

·In September, our ""Taste of DCU"" event drew over 300 attendees, with an increase in new participants following our presence at the 50+ Show last March and through more targeted marketing efforts.

·The ""Love of Lifelong Learning"" programme, which starts October 7th, is fully booked. It offers modules in subjects such as Psychology, Painting, Art Appreciation, Opera, Spanish, French, Photography, and Printmaking. 

·Our audit modules started slowly this semester due to the new registration system and the late release of timetables.

·We are hosting a workshop on engaging in effective dialogue with politicians ahead of the upcoming elections, led by Senan Turnbull on October 22nd.

·Additionally, we will offer a workshop on ""Self-Directed Ageism"" for DCU staff and students towards the end of Semester 1 or the start of Semester 2.

· Over the summer, we ran an outreach programme called "LifeBio in Words and Pictures," which helped a group write a memoir. This memoir, accompanied by a photo exhibition as a companion piece to the stories, will be printed in a book and exhibited at Malahide Library.

·We will be hosting visiting academics from Mexico and Alicante in January.  The University of Murcia (also AFU) is negotiating with DCU SNCHP on a collaboration.

·The AFU Coordinator has been invited to ASU and the University of Yonsee in South Korea to present on the Culture on Prescription (COPE) EU funded project and the new project which is n extension of it called Memorable. 

Deiric O'Broin, Office of Civic Engagement

DCU's involvement in the region since April 2024 has related to small number of distinct areas of work, including:

(a) The Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) for Dublin;

(b) The Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor Network;

(c)The Fingal Skills Strategy.

The first is a statutory process and due to a variety of factors its ratification has been delayed. At this point the draft LECP has been submitted for approval and it understood that it is to be ratified by the City Council on Monday 7th October and formally launched launched during Social Inclusion & Integration Week 11th - 17th November. It is only the second time that Dublin City Council has prepared a Local Economic and Community Plan and it has been a very considerable undertaking.

The work of the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor Network continues and Fingal County Council recently hosted a meeting the networks Political Advisory Group, i.e. councillors from each of the 8 local councils, on 17th September 2024.

The Fingal Skills Strategy's ""Xplore Your Future Expo"" for TY students in secondary schools will take place in The Helix, DCU on Tuesday the 15th of October 2024 from 9.30am to 3.00pm. The Expo is supported by DCU, Interreg Europe, Dublin Regional Skills Forum, City of Dublin Educational Training Board, Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board and Solas as well as a number of other education and training partners and industry and business partners.

Emma O'Brien, OEDE - Arts & Culture

·Culture Night took place on Friday 22nd September. Around 3,000 people visited St Patrick’s campus on the night for a lively programme that ranged from bubble blowing and traditional garden games to the Artane Band and Walkelees to historic tours, art exhibitions and sensory friendly activities. Hugley successful event - thank you to all who helped be part of this and to all who attended. 

·'Book Club' continues for the coming year. Open to staff, students and wider community. 

·Artist and The City Symposium takes place on 6th November in partnership with Dublin Book Festival. This one-day symposium, programmed by DCU Arts Council Writer in Residence 2024, Aingeala Flannery, explores the artist’s relationship with the city, with a focus on North Dublin.

·DCU Poetry Circle - relaxed evening session with like-minded individuals and discover the aspiring poets. Led by Poetry Ireland’s Poet in Residence, Anne Tannam, this group is open to staff, students, and the wider community."

Grainne Reddy, Age-Friendly University

We have over 50 AFU participants sitting in with the undergraduate students doing a range of modules. 

·Our Love of Lifelong Learning modules all started this week. 

·Last week we hosted an event with Jonathan Cherry and Susan Hegarty for the UN Day of older people which was a great success.   

·On the 22nd of October we are hosting a workshop with Senan Turnbull on Election Advocacy.

Hannah Goss, School of Health and Human Performance

·"Exoskeleton- paediatric suit has arrived (Ronan Langan, Enda Whyte, Kieran Moran)

· NEIC funding success for project in collaboration with Insight (Stephen Behan, Hannah Goss, Michael Scriney)

·LifeLab has received significant philanthropic funding to support operations (and the move to Polaris) for the next 5 years. 

·Programme running Autumn 2024, with 200 students taking part in the 10 week intervention. 

·UG student opportunities expanded beyond SHHP for the first time. 

·Also running LifeLab events for Science Week and Let’s Talk Science Festival 2024.  

·Funding submission to support LifeLab Youth Panel (Hannah Goss, Sarahjane Belton).

·Ongoing partnership with Trinity Comprehensive, supporting the PE Expo (Hannah Goss).  

·Ongoing partnership with Special Olympics Ireland to facilitate UG student opportunities (Sarah Meegan).

·Recent launch of Sláintecare Health Literacy Report by Minister Burke at the Finglas Youth Resource Centre, working with communities in one urban and one rural Sláintecare areas (Hannah Goss, Stephen Behan, Maeve Murray) https://hilocalgov.ie/resources/slaintecare-healthy-communities-health-…

·Staff members have participated in Higher Options (including panel sessions with Irish times).

·Plans for a SHHP 25th anniversary event to combined with formal Polaris opening.

Laurence van der Haegen, DCU Access - Community Outreach

·New Community Outreach team within DCU Access service

·Community Education Forum meets bi-monthly in DCU, inc. local education providers

·‘Our Neighbour, Our Friend' event, 8th Nov'24, 10 - 12.30pm Axis, presenting DCU Community Outreach programme and investigating local needs

·Headstart in the Community programme - 10 week programme for adults

·Mature Student Panel being formed to support outreach initiatives

Luke Quinlan, Office of Civic Engagement / DCU Engaged Research 

Office of Civic Engagement: 

·Luke Quinlan was successful in his application to become the Community Engagement Officer, a replacement for the role of DCU Engaged Research Coordinator is to follow. 

·on 1 October 2024 DCU welcomed the new councillors from Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council. Over 20 councillors attended, they partook in a presentation on what DCU offers the community and future changes to DCU as well as a tour of the new Polaris building. 

·Work with the Dublin-based Public Participation Networks (PPNs) is ongoing. Training for incoming strategic policy committee representative is being developed. 

·DCU in the Community Ballymun Centre: Classes taking place include Half-Time Talks, Acrylic Painting Workshops, Local History and Photography. A new Bridge-To-Education course is being developed in partnership with DCU Access and Ballymun Adult Education Services (AES) to be rolled out in January 2025.  

·Research collaboration with the Dept. of Further Ed., Higher Ed., Research, Innovation and Science is ongoing. A student team, facilitated by Luke Quinlan, is researching data access for higher education researchers. 

DCU Engaged Research: 

·DCU Engaged Research is undergoing a change as it comes under the auspices of both the Offices of Engagement and Research. 

·Luke Quinlan is still coordinating DCU Engaged Research until a replacement is found

·An informal national network, alternative to Campus Engage, is being sought with other Higher Ed. Institutions to facilitate collaboration / sharing of knowledge 

·          - Efforts to collaborate with communities stakeholders / pursue engaged research opportunities are ongoing

Masha Chernyakova, School of Physics

·Dr. Oisin Creaner leads a public engagement project "Star Guide: showing citizen scientists the best view of exoplanets".  It's a formal collaboration with Exoplanet Watch and ExoClock, which are international citizen science projects.  In frame of this project he delivered a number of talks at Explorium for Space Week.

·Dr. Paul van Kampen  run the Irish Olympiad of Experimental Science. As usual, the school academics took active part in Higher Option/BTYS/Open Days. 

·Dr. Stephen Gammel, Dr. Jennifer Gaughran, and I are leading an SFI-funded project called ClimateTalk with schools.

Natalja Matease, Office of Civic Engagement

DCU President's Awards 2025

We had the President's Awards Planning Meeting in September, and our next one is set for this Thursday 

Draft Key Dates for the President's Awards for Engagement 2025 are as follows:

o   Friday, 8 November 2024: Nominations open (3 months to nominate)

o   Friday, 7 February 2025: Deadline for receipt of nominations (nominations close at midnight)

o   Thursday, 3 April 2025: Awards ceremony from 1 pm to 2:40 pm at SOLAS

The dates for the DCU President's Awards Season for 2025 are as follows:

o   Thursday, 3rd April 2025: Engagement Awards

o   Thursday, 10th April 2025: Research Awards

o   Thursday, 24th April 2025: Professional Staff Awards

o   Thursday, 1st May 2025: Teaching Awards

The Communications team is working on a short promo video for social media

Meadhbh Hannon, Office of Civic Engagement / DCU Volunteer

Volunteer Fairs: 

o   Last 2 weeks we hosted our Volunteer Fairs on both Glasnevin and St. Pat's Campus 

o   both events were attended by approx. 20 organisations (some of which had never attended DCU Fairs in the past) who spoke to over 200 students about volunteering opportunities that they were recruiting for

Volunteer Helpdesk: 

o   Have hosted Volunteer Helpdesk every second Tuesday since beginning of Semester

o   so far, we have welcomed Feed Our Homeless and St. Michael's House

o   next week hosting HOPE Foundation

Looking into organisation more events throughout academic year

Samantha Fahy, Sustainability

DCU’s current Climate Action Roadmap 2024 developed in response to the National Mandate is available on the sustainability website. 

o    In December 2024, DCU are required to make a formal report on progress toward meeting the targets on this roadmap. 

o   While significant progress is being made on energy efficiency targets, DCU may fall short on reaching other targets. 

o   Climate Action Leadership Training, mandated by the National Climate Action Plan for all staff at principal officer level or equivalent, has been delivered to 47 members of DCU senior staff. Significantly more CALT training will be required to meet the target. 

o   A Sustainable Development Framework for DCU is currently under development.

Transport:

o    Bus Connects will roll out the E spine in Q4 2024, this will mean the replacement of the 4, 9, 11, 13 and 155 services with the E1, E2 and 19.

o    The 19 will continue to provide the link between the academic campuses as we await the rollout of the A spine in Q4 2025 when the A3 spine will most likely terminate in DCU. 

o    Secure cycle parking is now available on all academic campuses – for info on all support for active commuters etc please see the website : https://www.dcu.ie/travel-to-dcu.

Metrics:  

o   Due to resource constraints, DCU will not be in a position to report under the Carbon Disclosure Project CDP or the UI Green Metrics in 2024. 

o   In 2023 DCU received a C grade from CDP and 11th out of 1183 universities globally in the UI Green Metrics. 

DCU Green Committee has just been established with over 135 members from across the campus and working groups on varying topics for biodiversity to smarter travel – to engage just email sustainability@dcu.ie

Sylwia Kazmierczak-Murray, School of Inclusive and Special Education 

·The ISL STEM Glossary (led by Dr Elizabeth Matthews) is partnering with the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, to run an event in November on Menopause, delivered for Deaf women. 

·Sinéad McCauley Lambe was invited to speak on the role of play in children’s development at the Irish Society of Community and Public Health Medicine

·Sinéad McCauley-Lambe was asked to teach a sample handwriting lesson in St Vincent’s Girls’ School, North William Street. 

·Paula Lehane, Sylwia Kazmierczak-Murray and Christina Hannify have established an Interprofessional Community of Practice for Teachers and Speech and Language Therapists focused on literacy. The CoP runs online twice a month

Una Mccabe, School of Arts Education and Movement

The Ark Children's Cultural Centre are resident in School AEM in 24/25.

This is funded through the Arts Council YPCE grant and it is intended that this cultural partnership will grow beyond this year.  

The Ark, through their work with leading Irish and international artists are curating specific opportunities and bespoke programmes for DCU IoE staff and students of initial teacher and early childhood education. 

The aim of the project is to share resources, knowledge and experiences between artists, teaching staff and future teachers to advance a child’s right to access art and culture as part of their learning and development.

Úna Redmond , Office of Student Life 

·"Busy Clubs and Socs Fairs - very engaged students and lucky with the weather! 

·Outreach-Student breakfasts daily for commuter students recommenced in early Sept

·Pantry initiative has also recommenced—very high update, especially from international students. 

·SU campaigns have kicked off this month.

Dublin City University

Civic Engagement Forum

Minutes

Meeting of the DCU Civic Engagement Forum at 12.30pm 

Tuesday 7^th February 2024, Mentoring suite, Glasnevin Campus + Zoom

Attendance:

Adam Daly, Deiric Ó Broin, Pádraig Murphy, Sylwia Kazmierczak-Murray, Michael Mullooly, Luke Quinlan, Úna Redmond, Justyna Byrzykowska, Samantha Fahy, Deirdre Corby, Natalja Matease, Carine Mambou, Emma Monahan, Ryan Carey, Mary Colgan, Laura Mahoney, Christine O'Kelly, Liam MacGabhann, Cara Greene, Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn, Rob Gillanders, Una Mc Cabe, Majella McSharry, Emma O'Brien, Louise Hopper.

Apologies:

Aisling McKenna, Trudy Corrigan, Rosie Savage, Peter Admirand, Roisin Blunnie, Maria Chernyakova, Catriona Murphy.

1.Welcome 

Deiric Ó Broin (Chairperson) welcomed all Civic Engagement Forum members.

2.Minutes

The previous minutes were proposed by Justyna Byrzykowska and seconded by Ryan Carey. Minutes are available online at: https://www.dcu.ie/civic-engagement/civic-engagement-forum-minutes

3.Matters arising

There were no matters arising.

4.President's Awards for Engagement

Deiric Ó Broin and Natalja Matease provided an overview of President's Awards for Engagement 2024 as follows:

●       Applications are now open and welcome for the forthcoming President's Awards for Engagement.

●       More coherent and visual process this year.

●       Please nominate and encourage your colleagues & students to nominate at https://www.dcu.ie/presidents-awards/engagement.

●       There will be no extended deadline and the nomination process will be closed at 5pm on 20th February 2024.

●       Winners will be announced during the awards ceremony on 11th April 2024.

●       All are welcome to attend the awards ceremony on 11th April @ 2.15pm in HG22 (Refreshments/light lunch will be served in the Foyer from 1:45pm), please RSVP (https://shorturl.at/bcdmZ) if you would like to attend.

Laura Mahoney observed that the engagement awards ceremony is a great way to meet people and celebrate staff and students’ involvement in engagement activities (even if you don’t win, as your involvement is celebrated on the day).

5.Reports and Updates

Robert Gillanders

DCU ARC

• ARC hosted a delegation of students who won an anticorruption contest in Ukraine. Organised meetings with AGS, DoJ, TII and academics
• ARC members continues to engage with gov. on anti-corruption reform agenda/strategy, and advice EC on developments in Ireland. 
• ARC policy briefs on ongoing IRC funded work available in English, French and Ukrainian

Deiric Obroin

Office of Civic Engagement

In relation to the Office's Local and Regional Engagement remit we have been engaging in four processes since the last meeting of the forum:

• (a) Dublin Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) development process - the draft High Level Goals were presented to the LECP Advisory Group (including DCU representation) on Monday 29th January 2024 for review, see https://consultation.dublincity.ie/culture-recreation-and-amenity/local… for further details.
• (b) Fingal Local Economic and Community Plan (2023-2028) development process - the Fingal LECP Draft Framework Report and the LECP Draft Implementation Plan which covers implementation for the first 2 years of the LECP were reviewed this month by the Fingal LECP Advisory Group (including DCU representation), see https://www.fingal.ie/council/service/fingal-local-community-developmen… for further details.
• (c) Fingal Skills Strategy implementation - ongoing representation of DCU;
• (d) Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor (DBEC) Skills Audit - research been undertaken in conjunction UU to undertake (1) an audit on existing skills focused research with recommendations drawn on insights relevant to DBEC and where intelligence gaps exist, and (2) make recommendation for actions to address demand & supply for labour & skills in specialised sectors along the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor.

Ryan Carey

Widening Participation

• Completed 1916 Bursary application process for DCU, DkIT, MU & TUS Athlone (735 applications)
• Reinstated University of Sanctuary committee
• Supporting the MELLIE Project through University of Sanctuary funding
• Some of our students have founded a University of Sanctuary Society; we'll be working closely with them on future events
• Two MA Refugee Integration students are volunteering with us to revamp the Sanctuary website
• The ReDiscovery centre in Ballymun have provided us with some bikes for students who are refugees/IPAs. If any colleages know of students in need of one please let me know!

Trevor Boland

DLSs

• We have a short 5 day event for students in DCU about technology Nd this will happen I Valentines week.
• We also have a technology resource called Comapss that can go in any college VLE (Moodle, blackboard canvas, brightspace etc)

Padraig Murphy

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

• - ECIU SMART-ER project ended Jan 2024. This was the flagship ECIU research project with citizen science at its centre. 
• - GTE on Engaged Research in its third year, just completed. All students progressed very week (12 took the module). 

Natalja Matease

Office of Civic Engagement

President's Awards for Engagement 2024:

• Applications are now open and welcome for the forthcoming President's Awards for Engagement.
• Please  nominate and encourage your collegues & students  to nominate at https://www.dcu.ie/presidents-awards/engagement
• There will be no extended deadline and the nomination form will be closed at 5pm on 20th February 2024
• Winners will be announced during the awards ceremony on 11th April 2024
• All are welcome to attend the awards ceremony on 11th April @ 2.15pm in HG22 (Refreshments/light lunch will be served   in the Foyer from 1:45pm), please RSVP (https://shorturl.at/bcdmZ) if you would like to attend

Sylwia Kazmierczakmurray

School of Inclusive and Special Education

• Since our last update, our colleague, Dr Laura Gormley has become a fellow with the DCU Changemaker Schools Network. Another colleague, Dr Sinead McCauley-Lambe has become a Chairperson of the BOM in St. Vincent's NS. 
• Dr Joe Travers is involved with the below group to further inclusive education in policy and practice: 
  Inclusive Education Alliance Steering Group, a network of Disabled Persons Organisations, Advocacy Groups, Academics and Education Leaders.
  • Dr. Emer Nowlan CEO Educate Together
  • Damien Walshe CEO Independent Living Movement Ireland
  • Brian Hayes Director The National Platform of Self Advocates
  • Derval McDonagh CEO Inclusion Ireland
  • Dr Joanne Banks, Assistant Professor, School of Education
    Trinity College Dublin
  • Dr Joe Travers Associate Professor School of Inclusive and Special Education Institute of Education Dublin City 
• Dr Neil Kenny is involved in the following two projects: 
  • Young Ambassadors Against Bullying and Cyberbullying
    In Dr Kenny's words: 'We are coming to the end of the Young Ambassadors Against Bullying and Cyberbullying Project, which I am leading on behalf of the ABC and is being completed in Collaboration with Castletroy College in Limerick. The project is funded via ERASMUS+ in collaboration with partners in Spain, Italy and Croatia.' 
  • Gheel Autism Services and IHREC:Dr Jane O'Kelly and Dr Neil Kenny are completing an evaluation of Gheel Autism Services IMPACT Programme funded via the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. The project is entitled Future Expectations: A Qualitative Research Study Exploring the Perceptions and Expectations of Autistic Young Adults of the IMPACT Programme. 
•  Other projects and engagements we reported on previously are still ongoing. 

Luke Quinlan

Centre for Engaged Research / Office of Civic Engagement 

• CER:
  • CER is currently going through a transitional period; change of structure/steering committee, as it is now under the auspices of the Office of Engagement and the Research Office
  • The PPN Summer School will take place this year, for the 3rd year. It will now include 3 of the 4 Dublin based PPNs (Dublin City, Fingal and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown. 
  • 2023/2024 Webinar Series 'The Power of Collaboration' is ongoing. This month we will showcase the work of Fiona Murphy from the SALIS department (Feb. 29th)
•  OCE: 
  • the 'Head Start in the Community: Preparing for Higher Education' 10-week bridge to education pilot program will come to an end on 14 Feb. 2024. It has been very successful. With feedback from the participants we will discuss having this as a possible permanent fixture in our calendar. 

Carinelaure Mamboumetiefeng

Cad aid foundation presents the international decade for people of African descent. Theme: Empower Her, Breaking Barriers, Celebrating Diversity 

The event aims to embrace diversity and empower individuals to break down barriers. It is a celebration of culture as a whole, the strength of unity and an opportunity for exhibitors to show off their expertise. 

What to expect on that day: Inspiring Keynote Speakers, Panel Discussions, Engaging Workshops, Art, Exhibition and Cultural Performances, Kids activities(STEAM workshops, Painting and much more), Delicious Food and Refreshments, Networking Opportunities, Gala Night and much more.

Justyna Byrzykowska

Office of civic engagement 

• Dcu Volunteering website undertaking a huge update, weekly meetings with comms team
• Volunteering festival to be held soon with DCUSU 
• Huge interests from students about volunteering due to DCU advertisement on Instagram

Samantha Fahy

Sustainability

• DCU has retained Green Campus Status for all three academic campuses following An Taisce Review in late 2023 - thank you to the DCU SU, students and staff who presented and engaged with the reviewers. 
• In December 2023, DCU was ranked 11th in International UI Green Metrics - https://greenmetric.ui.ac.id/
• In Q4 2023, SFI launched Sustainable Labs programme - https://www.sfi.ie/research-news/news/sustainable-labs/
  Climate Action Leadership training to be rolled out to all Heads and Deans in Q1/2 2024
• Marchathon 2024 will start next month - email will be circulated with details
• DCU Website info on Commuting and Travel have been updated - https://www.dcu.ie/travel-to-dcu
• DCU on Sustainability with access to all DCU Climate Action Plans and Roadmaps are also updated - https://www.dcu.ie/sustainability 
  https://www.dcu.ie/sustainability/dcu-climate-action-plan-2021-2026
• The 2024 National Climate Action Plan has been issued and DCU will respond with an updated DCU Climate Action Roadmap once guidance has been issued by SEAI/EPA.
• There is a new Biodiversity Working Group to coordinate between staff/students wishing to utilise external DCU campus space for teaching/learning/research and the DCU Estates team to ensure to ensure a coherent and agreed approach. 

Catriona Murphy

School of Nursing Psychotherapy and Community Health

• Virtual Reality Dementia and Ageing Experience presentation in DCU Virtual Reality (VR) lab for Assistant Directors of Nursing, Dementia Quality Improvement groups from across Dublin Mid Leinster, Ireland East, UL, Saolta, South South West and RSCI Hospital groups 01/12/23 (C Murphy).
• Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) End of Life Survey presentation- PPI and dissemination 01/01/23 (Lucy Whiston)
• Engaged Research Festival presentation- PPI Ignite Network at DCU 11/12/23 (Lucy Whiston)
• Invited speaker at the launch of the Work Ready Programme which is a set of 5 Modules which have been designed in a collaboration between City of Dublin ETB and Down Syndrome Ireland. Also provided advice and support to the team. The collaboration was funded by the Adult Literacy for Life, Innovation and Collaboration Fund.  The new Modules at level 2 will be available for providers of education and training, to deliver to learners who aspire to learn industry specific skills, that will benefit their progression to work in areas such as hospitality, retail, and administration 11/12/23 (Deirdre Corby)
• Facilitation of a workshop on ‘Love, Sexuality, Loneliness and Staying Positive’: Intimate, Personal and Sexual Relationships in the Twenty First Century" as part of the national conference for people living with HIV. (R O Neill)
• Working with Positive Now across encouraging relationships and dating lives for people living with HIV on the island of Ireland Jan 27/28th (R O Neill)
• St John of God Lucena Services: providing second of two vocational training workshops for occupational therapists and speech and language therapists on clinical supervision 1.2.24 (Aisling McMahon)
• Gheel Autism Services: providing once-monthly consultation to guide establishment of peer supervision groups for Gheel staff (November 2023 to June 2024) (Aisling McMahon) 

Emma Monahan

DCUSU

• This week - S.H.A.G week - working with HSE
• Elections of new team - campaigning starting 7/2/24
• DCUSU Referendum - on stance of no confidence in the government
• Working on voter registration/info campaign for family and care referendum

Cara Greene

ADAPT, School of Computing

• ADAPT is a partner on a new EU-funded project, S+T+ARTS4WATERII - Ports in Transformation, which will leverage creative practice to co-design digital technology solutions to water-related challenges. Core to the 2-year project will be artist residencies in three Irish ports. We will be seeking researchers in relevant fields to join local expert groups to define challenges and work with the artists to adopt creative processes to enable technology design for addressing key challenges facing ports and their environs.
• ADAPT’s Technology in My Life workshop materials on the ethical use of technology are now available for primary schools nationwide.
• ADAPT is introducing an ambassadors programme to it AI in My Life Transition Year workshop series on AI, ethics and privacy. ADAPT members and DCU undergraduate will deliver taster workshops in schools over the next 3 months.
• The national final of the All Ireland Linguistics Olympiad will be hosted in DCU on 20th March.
   

Liam Macgabhann

Dublin North, North East Recovery College

1. The Recovery College has taken over as co-facilitator of the National Community Development Mental Health Network with Community Work Ireland. This Network brings together presently 77 intersectional community groups around Ireland to lobby, inform policy and take part in community activism towards community transformation
2. Recovery College now partnering with North East Drugs Task Force and associated community organisations to implement a community capacity building project on Dual Diagnosis in Louth, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan
3. Recovery College is about to commence the implementation of an emancipatory recovery education framework into the Irish Prison Service

Louise Hopper

School of Psychology

We are in the process of planning a series of events for the 5 year anniversary of the creation of the School. These will include some events that will be open to the public. We are also in the process of developing the content for a summer school. Some of these events may also be open to the public.

Roisin Blunnie

Theology, Philosophy, and Music

• January 25th, Rushan Abbas, Executive Director of The Campaign for Uyghurs spoke on:   "The Silent Genocide: Uncovering the Uyghur Humanitarian Crisis" for the Centre for Interreligious Dialogue. Dr Sanaa Alimia (Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations, The Aga Khan University), presents “Refugee Cities: Afghans in Pakistan,” Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 3 PM
• DCU Choral Leadership Day took place on 20 January at the All Hallows Campus. The Day served as a multiplier event for the Erasmus+ IN-VOICE4MPowerment project.
   

Una Mccabe

School of Arts Education and Movement

• Susan Marron represents DCU on the Irish Primary PE Association which promotes physical activity in education contexts. 
• REACT: Remote Education of the Arts through Co-Teaching 
  Michael Flannery: Visual arts education with primary school children and their class teacher from St. Joseph's National School in Clondalkin on a weekly basis. 
• Annie O’Breachain and Lucy Hill contributed design thinking to the development of children's engagement with the new Museum of Childhood which will open soon in Waterford.
• Marie Louise Bowe is a member of advisory committee of Music Generation Laois, is Music Ed. Consultant with renowned harpist Aisling Ennis (ongoing advising on her concerts with national concert hall - funded by creative Ireland/arts Council) She also has partnerships with St.Finian’s National School finglas (string Programme) and St. Pat’s school, incorporating her Music Education Specialism students 
• Una McCabe: Story and Drama project (March 2024) with artist Dave Rudden in Corpus Christi school. 
   

Eabhnat Nifhloinn

School of Mathematical Sciences

Our School took part in Science Week in November, as part of an SFI-funded Faculty initiative. A number of colleagues gave evening lectures open to the public on a range of their research interests. 

In addition, we ran workshops for over 150 primary school children from local DEIS schools on problem-solving in mathematics. This was hugely successful, with a very positive response from teachers and pupils - with some teachers asking if they could sign up on the spot for the following year.

We would like to open up the initiative to Gaelscoileanna in our locality also, but would need to translate the resources to do so effectively and are struggling to locate funding schemes that might cover this - suggestions very welcome!

Una Redmond

Office of Student Life 

• Clubs and Socs had their Refresher Day last week to give students who didn't get a chance to join in the semester another opportunity to do so. 
• The Free Breakfast Club and the Pantry Food Initiative are going well, and there is great daily uptake. 
• The SU officers continue to engage with awareness campaigns; for example, this week is Sexual Health Awareness Week.