The HEA Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion hosted the first HEA National Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference on the 9th and 10th of April 2024.
The HEA invited both national and international experts to speak at the conference. The conference was an excellent opportunity for individuals involved in equality, diversity and inclusion in the higher education sector to attend various sessions on areas relevant to EDI across the two days. The sessions included both national and international perspectives.
A detailed account of the conference, capturing the key discussion points and learnings can be found in the conference report.
Advancing Gender Equality in Higher Education Institutions
The first session focused on advancing gender equality in Higher Education Institutions and included speakers Professor Anne Scott (HEA Board Member), Dr Marcela Linková (Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Sciences), and Dr Katriona O’Sullivan (Maynooth University).
The speakers joined a panel discussion moderated by Dr Jennie Rothwell, Senior Manager of the HEA Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Advancing an Intersectional Approach to EDI in Higher Education Institutions
The second session focused on advancing an intersectional approach to EDI in higher education institutions and included speakers Professor Jörg Müller (Universität Oberta de Catalunya) and Cliona Doherty (National Disability Authority).
The speakers were joined by Dr Marcela Linková (Institute of Sociology, Czech Academy of Sciences) and Dr Allison Kenneally (Southeast Technological University) for a panel discussion moderated by Dr Carol Wrenn (Technological University of the Shannon) that addressed how to go from talking about intersectionality as a concept to centralising this approach in EDI work.
Advancing Race Equality in Higher Education Institutions
The third session focused on advancing race equality in Higher Education Institutions and included speakers Suzana Hardy (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), Professor Kalpana Shankar (University College Dublin) and Dr Philip Owende (Technological University Dublin).
The speakers were joined by Thomas McCann (Traveller Counselling Service) and John Benedict Ocampo Divinagracia (Union of Students in Ireland) for a panel discussion moderated by Dr Helen Maher (University of Galway).
Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Higher Education Institutions
The fourth session focused on Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Higher Education Institutions and opened with a presentation from Professor Fredrik Bondestam (Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research, University of Gothenburg).
Professor Bondestam was joined by Dr Susan Lagdon (Ulster University), Gemma MacNally (Psychological Counsellors in Higher Education Ireland and University of Galway) and Tony McMahon (Irish Universities Association), in a discussion moderated by Dr Siobán O’Brien Green (Trinity College Dublin).
Taking Stock and Looking Ahead
The final session of the conference was a lively panel discussion with Professor Karen McCloskey (Queen’s University Belfast), Professor Lorraine Leeson (Trinity College Dublin), Professor Fredrik Bondestam (Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research), Colette Murphy (Union of Students in Ireland), Dr Ross Woods (HEA, National Forum for Teaching and Learning) and Dr Jennie Rothwell (HEA, Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion), moderated by Claire McGing (Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dún Laoghaire).
