Vet Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Athena SWAN Update
The School’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Athena SWAN (Vet EDIAS) Committee organises many events and initiatives which support our agenda of promoting gender equality, diversity and inclusion for all faculty, staff and students. Below, we provide you with updates on some of the events and campaigns organised by the Vet EDIAS Committee. Find out more about the work of the committee and upcoming events on our website: https://www.ucd.ie/vetmed/about/athenaswan/
Dean’s Inclusion Award 2022
The School of Veterinary Medicine Dean’s Inclusion Award is awarded on an annual basis to individual students, staff, faculty, clubs or teams that have demonstrated outstanding behaviours in the areas of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) during the preceding college year. The Dean and Head of School, Prof Michael Doherty, reviewed nominations from staff and students and was delighted to select Lorna Murphy as the winner for 2022. Lorna is a Stage IV graduate entry Veterinary Medicine student. She has demonstrated passion and drive for EDI in our School and the wider UCD Veterinary Community as 2021/22 VetSoc welfare officer, representing UCD at the Veterinary Schools Council 2022 conference and pursuing initiatives like student food banks. The award was presented to Lorna by Prof Michael Doherty and VetEDIAS co-chair Prof Stephen Gordon, at a lecture with her fellow Stage IV students on 15 February (pictured).
Pride 2023
On 20 April, the Vet EDI and Athena SWAN Committee hosted the School’s annual flagship Pride event, supported by the UCD College of Health & Agricultural Sciences (CHAS). This year we decided to hold the event a little earlier, in the run up to undergraduate students’ exams. It provided a welcome distraction during their revision period, the cakes went down especially well! The event was kicked off with an address from Dean and Head of School, Prof Michael Doherty. Then Róisín Walsh (Student LGBTQ+ Rep) and Assoc Prof Marijke Beltman addressed the gathering with inspirational and moving speeches on what Pride means to them. VetEDIAS co-chairs, Assoc Prof Cliona Skelly and Prof Stephen Gordon, provided closing remarks on the importance of recognising Pride in our community. We were delighted to provide a welcoming space for staff and students who might otherwise not be able to attend during Pride month in June. Also in attendance were colleagues from across the University, including members of UCD’s LGBTQ+ Committee and UCD’s Vice President for EDI, Prof Colin Scott.
International Women’s Day 2023
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2023, Samantha Feighery, RVN, BSc VN, BS joined Kate Acton on the latest episode of the Veterinary Nursing podcast to discuss her path in Veterinary Nursing, her career as an equine veterinary nurse and some top tips for students & nurses. Listen to the podcast here: (opens in a new window)https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ucdvn/episodes/Episode-11-International-Womens-Day-with-Samantha-Feighery-e1vufcj
Samantha is featured on the School’s Alumni Wall which was installed to mark 20 years on UCD’s Belfield Campus and celebrate 20 of our most exceptional alumni. Samantha graduated from our BSc in Veterinary Nursing in 2013 and is now Lead Clinical Nurse at Rossdales Equine Practice, with responsibility for a team of 11 equine nurses and 6 equine technicians. Her particular areas of interest are Neonatal and Intensive Care Nursing along with Infection Control and Biosecurity and to date she has published six articles in leading veterinary publications on these areas. Find out more here: https://www.ucd.ie/vetmed/about/alumniwall/samanthafeighery/
UCD Work Smarter Together 2023
Dr Niamh Nestor, the School’s Student Adviser, and Eimear Burkley, Project Co-ordinator for the VetEDIAS committee, took part in UCD Agile’s Work Smarter Together 2023 event. On the theme of ‘Celebrating Us,’ Niamh and Eimear presented ‘Celebrating Pride in Vet Sciences: A how-to in 10 easy steps!’ outlining how to establish a flagship event, focusing on the success of Pride in the School.