Minister for Employment Affairs & Social Protection, Regina Doherty TD has launched RCSI’s annual report on equality, diversity and inclusion for the academic year 2017 – 2018.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Doherty said: “I am delighted to launch this report for the RCSI. The College truly lives by the values it has set for itself. Crucially, the College has demonstrated the most important lesson any educational establishment can teach – when a place of learning fully supports each individual to be their best, they as an institution also become better.”

Welcoming the launch of the report, Professor Cathal Kelly, RCSI CEO, said: “Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the core of how we conduct our business at RCSI and we have worked hard to embed practices across all of our work streams which reinforces our commitment to EDI. I welcome the publication of this report which shows the progress we have made to ensure that all students and staff can learn and work in an environment defined by dignity and respect.”

Dr Avril Hutch, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, added: “This report encapsulates the great progress RCSI has made in recent years. The outpouring of goodwill and enthusiasm for our initiatives and programmes from colleagues, students and visitors has been incredibly motivating and inspiring. We now look to build on our solid foundation and continue to champion equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of organisational culture and actions.”

The report outlines the key achievements of RCSI’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) unit, including:

• The Development of RCSI EDI Strategy 2018 - 2022
• The achievement of Athena SWAN Bronze institutional award for positive gender practice in higher education
• The development of six dedicated EDI policies and EDI proofing of 46 existing policies
• The establishment of four staff networks, including LGBTQ+ staff network and a Parents’ and Carers’ network
• The participation of more than 1000 staff in an EDI staff training programme, including Trans 101, Unconscious Bias and access training.
• The development of EDI facilities including 27 gender neutral bathrooms, two new breastfeeding rooms, upgraded baby changing facilities, introduction of sensory friendly zones and comprehensive access audit completed.
• The launch of three 30% Club Women in Leadership scholarships

RCSI’s equality, diversity and inclusion work is based on the ten equality grounds: age, civil status, disability, family status, gender, membership of the traveller community, race/ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and socio-economic status.

RCSI recognises the nine equality grounds established in Irish legislation and includes socio-economic status as a tenth ground to ensure access to employment or to goods and series for all individuals. The EDI Unit also undertakes an annual staff consultation (online survey, focus groups and interviews) to understand the unique equality, diversity and inclusion priorities for the RCSI community.

More information on the EDI Unit’s work can be found here or follow the EDI Unit on Twitter.