The President's Award for Engagement recognises the externally-focused activities of staff and students. If you would like to nominate a teacher for Excellence in Teaching, please nominate via the Excellence in Teaching section. Students and Student Clubs and Societies engaged in University-focused activities should be nominated for the DCU Engage scheme. 

What do we mean by Engagement?
Engagement is defined widely to embrace civic and public engagement, charity work and volunteering, involvement in social enterprises or any other activity in which staff and students engage at a local, national or international level. Entries can cut across various areas of public and civic engagement including with government agencies & businesses and these are outlined here purely as a guide. 
Clubs and Societies who are involved in activities which influence the external wider community are encouraged to be nominated for the student award by their peers, staff or community members.

What is Public Engagement?
Through public engagement, be it through the media, Government advice, business & industry advocacy or other avenues, DCU staff play an active role in the wider debates in society around the impact of their teaching and research, and the future of the city, region and Ireland. 
Making a mark, influencing, educating, and making a difference are the core criteria. 

What is Civic Engagement?
These are initiatives involving community partners that are committed to social regeneration and community empowerment. They may also include direct engagement by students and staff in community development or volunteering – either via their "day job" teaching and research, via their professional Unit (e.g Library, Access) or in a voluntary capacity related to their employment here in DCU. 

Who is eligible for the award?
All staff and students at DCU. Individuals who have previously received an award must wait two years before being eligible again.

How do you nominate for the award?
Individuals or groups can be nominated by colleagues, DCU Students’ Union, a sabbatical officer, programme chair/external supervisor, your club or society or community or other appropriate external agencies. Endorsements from the DCU Students’ union, community and enterprise partners are particularly welcomed. Please complete the nomination form below. Self-nominations by individuals or teams will not be accepted.

Deadline for receipt of nominations: Friday, 6th February 2026 (midnight)

Criteria for the award
The Awards seek to reward staff and students who make a mark, influence, educate and make a difference.
Following are the criteria by which the submissions will be judged: 

• External Impact - Impact on the world outside DCU
• Internal Impact - Impact on the wider DCU Community
• Alignment with DCU Engagement Strategic Priorities 

Selection process 
The selection process will be conducted by a panel established by the University's Civic Engagement Forum which will comprise representatives from both academic and professional staff, students, as well as an external member. The President will sign off on the nominees put forward.  

For further information please contact Prof. Deiric Ó Broin, Head of Civic Engagement, Natalja Matease, Administrator, Office of Civic Engagement or visit our website.