RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has been named the Inclusive Champion for Gender Equality at the EU Awards for Gender Equality Champions. The awards, presented by the European Commission, acknowledge EU Gender Equality Champions in Research and Innovation.

This award recognises organisations that have developed the most innovative and inclusive gender equality plans addressing intersections with other social categories such as ethnicity, social origin, sexual orientation and gender identity (LGBTI+) or disability. RCSI won the award in recognition of its efforts to advance gender equality.

RCSI has conducted a thorough self-assessment, consulted with relevant stakeholders and incorporated best practice to develop a five-year gender equality plan. Staff demographic data is collected with the aim of measuring progress. As part of this, staff are invited to self-declare a range of equality data such as gender identity, disability, ethnicity, civil status and family status.

All new employee inductions include a presentation on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) which highlights the university’s values, inclusive policies and practices and all incoming RCSI students received an introduction to EDI and consent training.

RCSI was the first university in Ireland to launch a Race Equality Action Plan and recently launched bystander intervention training which moved beyond sexual and gender-based violence to address misconduct in healthcare across other grounds including ethnicity, gender and disability and tailored specifically for the healthcare community. In addition, the RCSI EDI team runs frequent events and initiatives for staff and students in the area of gender equality.

Liz Hughes, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in RCSI, said “We are delighted to receive the EU Award for Inclusive Gender Equality Champion 2024. This important recognition is timely for the RCSI community and indeed our colleagues across higher education. We recognise our privileged position to effect positive change. We value the leadership and support that Horizon Europe and the European Commission provide in enabling us to deliver an equitable, fair and safe learning and work environment.”

Professor Cathal Kelly, Vice-Chancellor of RCSI, said “We are proud of the genuine and proactive culture of equality, diversity and inclusion within RCSI. Our EDI team works tirelessly to champion gender equality and their efforts are supported by hundreds of colleagues and students promoting, participating and advancing our EDI values. This award reflects that valuable and important work.”

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless, TD, said: “I wish to congratulate RCSI on their achievement which, once again, signifies that our universities are leading the way at EU level on gender equality. I am delighted to see RCSI getting the recognition they deserve for the incredible work they are doing to create more equitable university campuses.”

This EU award is the latest in a number of achievements that RCSI has had in the area of EDI. In August 2023 RCSI’s Institutional Athena Bronze Award was successfully renewed. The application was described by the panel as “an exemplar of good practice”. In February 2024, RCSI was named Company of the Year at the National Diversity and Inclusion Awards.

The RCSI EDI Strategy 2024-2027 was launched in February 2024, and RCSI’s commitment to EDI was reaffirmed in the RCSI Institutional Strategy.