Office of Civic Engagement

The Office of Civic Engagement manages all activities in ‘DCU in the Community’, and works closely with colleagues in DCU Access who manage all aspects of their programme. 

At DCU, we pride ourselves on being a ‘University of Place’ that works with and for our local communities and wider region. The Office of Civic Engagement is at the heart of this activity, bringing together staff and students to engage with the needs of our local and regional communities. 

Through civic engagement, we work together to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the civic life of our communities through the development of appropriate knowledge, skills and values. 

What do we do?

DCU aims to be a driver of social and economic development in our local and regional communities. 

The Office of Civic Engagement manages ‘DCU in the Community’ site and activities. 

Activities organised by the office - and involving DCU staff and students - include community-based learning, student and staff volunteering, and public and enterprise engagement. 

DCU in the Community

DCU is immensely proud of our North Dublin heritage and identity. We are a place based university with a global vision. A large proportion of our staff are from the locality, or live locally, and we have strong links with local schools through initiatives such as DCU Access. 

For these reasons, and others, we see ourselves as very much ‘of the community’.

The community of Ballymun is right on our doorstep, and we work with this community in a number of ways.

These include: 

• The ‘Headstart in the Community’ programme with Ballymun Adult Education Service CDETB. This is a free programme which supports adults to re-enter and/or progress in education from ETB, FE to HE
• ‘Lectures in Your Library’ in Ballymun Library. This is a free programme where community can attend university-style lectures in their library 
• Free introductory courses (e.g. psychology). People living in Ballymun are prioritised during registration for these courses. 
• Supporting Ballymun groups where possible, such as advising, connecting groups and individuals with academics / students or contributing to their programmes/ projects (e.g. Rediscovery Centre, Ballymun Job Centre) 
• Our Volunteer Coordinator, Meadhbh, also connects with Ballymun-based volunteer involving organisations to help connect them with student volunteers

Where are we based?

Our office is based in DCU’s Glasnevin Campus. You can find out about our Community team here or contact us directly through our contact form here