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EDI Annual Report 2025

On this page you will find the EDI Annual Report 2025.
Professor Dáire Keogh, President of DCU

Professor Dáire Keogh, DCU President

Introduction by Professor Dáire Keogh, President of DCU

At DCU, we pride ourselves on being a university that puts ‘People-First’, an institution driven by our values. For that reason, I am delighted to see our continued progress in creating a more accepting and inclusive University environment where everyone has space to flourish. 

We can feel particularly proud of this work given that, in many parts of the world and even on our own doorstep, the notion of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and its intrinsic benefits to society are under attack — all the more reason for DCU to double down on our values and celebrate our achievements. 

Female representation at all academic levels continues to rise, and we attained gender parity at Full and Associate Professor levels. At the wider institutional level, I was pleased to see the continued implementation of the Athena Swan Silver Award Action Plan. An EDI Steering Committee was established, as well as two Working Groups —  a Gender Equality Working Group and a Dignity, Respect and Ending Sexual Violence Working Group. 

Another significant milestone was the development and launch of the Race Equality Framework and Action Plan. Launched in October 2025, it includes more than 130 targeted and measurable actions aimed at creating a more inclusive campus environment.

On the ground, the EDI and Culture Team continues to play a vital role in providing practical advice and training on how University staff can play their part in creating a more inclusive workplace. Sessions and workshops featured a wide range of topics, including Digital Accessibility, Menopause Awareness, and Active Bystander training. 

Finally, our Pride+ network organised an engaging programme in June to mark Pride Month, including an event to mark the 10-year anniversary of the marriage equality referendum. At the end of the month, DCU staff and students marched as one in the Dublin Pride parade, joined by their friends and family members — showing that we are indeed ‘stronger together’.

A photo of Gareth Yore, Vice President for People, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Gareth Yore, Vice President for People, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Message from Gareth Yore, Vice-President for People, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

I am pleased to introduce DCU's EDI Annual Report for 2025, a year in which we moved from ambition to action across many strands of our equality, diversity and inclusion agenda.

2025 saw the establishment of a new governance structure for EDI at DCU, anchored by our EDI Steering Committee and supported by three dedicated Working Groups focused on Gender Equality, Race Equality and on Dignity, Respect and Ending Sexual Violence. These structures ensure that our commitments are not just aspirational, but are driven forward with clear accountability and measurable outcomes.

It was also a year of significant policy development and implementation. We launched new Menopause Support and Disability policies for employees, giving practical, structured supports to colleagues who need them. In addition, October heralded the launch of our Race Equality Framework and Action Plan 2025–2028, the product of extensive consultation with staff and students, setting out more than 130 actions across seven pillars to build a genuinely inclusive campus.

None of this work happens without people. I want to thank members of our Working Groups, our Aurora programme participants, our Pride+ network, and the many staff and students who gave their time to shape policy, deliver training, or simply show up - whether at a Black History Month event, a menopause café, or marching together at Dublin Pride. Their lived experience and ongoing engagement are what make this work meaningful rather than merely procedural.

I also especially want to thank my colleagues in the EDI and Culture team - Joanne, Rachel, Lorna, Luke, Frankie and Donna without whom none of the aforementioned initiatives would not have been possible. We were delighted to see the team expand in 2025, and to see the role of Dignity, Respect and Sexual Misconduct Response Manager further embed into the University. This role brings a joined-up approach to prevention, response and support that will only strengthen in the year ahead as we prepare to launch our new three-year action plan in this area.

There is more to do, and we know it. However, the work undertaken in governance enhancement, policy development, and the ongoing promotion of an inclusive culture across our DCU Community give me real confidence in DCU continuing to be a safe and inclusive environment to work and study in which everyone can flourish.