Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

RCSI is committed to embedding a culture of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) across everything we do. Together, we can drive meaningful change and make our community more inclusive.

Awards and external engagement

RCSI has continued to demonstrate its commitment to EDI through a number of significant initiatives and recognitions. In August 2024, the University co-hosted the ‘Race Equality in Medical Education Conference’ to share knowledge and experience in race equality in medical education.

This was followed in February 2025 by the ‘Advancing Allyship and Bystander Engagement Award’ at the 2024 National Diversity and Inclusion Awards (NDIA), reflecting the collective efforts of the EDI Unit, HR and advocates across the university.

In March, RCSI received the Inclusive Champion for Gender Equality award at the EU Awards for Gender Equality Champions, presented by the European Commission. This award recognises organisations with innovative and inclusive gender equality plans.

April brought further recognition, with two significant Athena Swan Awards. The School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences received RCSI’s first Silver Athena Swan Award, while the Department of Physiology and Medical Physics successfully renewed its Bronze Award.

In June, RCSI proudly hosted the fourth LGBT Ireland Healthcare Conference, where colleagues shared invaluable insights and initiatives to support the LGBTI+ community. That same month, the EDI Unit and colleagues also presented at EQUITAS: the EDI in Practice in Higher Education Conference at Maynooth University.

Awareness raising

The EDI Unit hosted and collaborated on a wide range of events, including the launch of the Women’s Health Research Network, Sexual Health Week, World Mental Health Day, an Intercultural Festive Food event and training sessions focused on race equality, disability awareness, transgender inclusion and neurodiversity.

Race Equality Action Plan 2

RCSI launched its second Race Equality Action Plan 2025–2029, reinforcing its commitment to combat racism and promote inclusivity. This plan builds on the University’s pioneering 2021 initiative and introduces new measures to embed race equality across its culture, policies and practices.

Student engagement

In September 2024, incoming students received an ‘Introduction to EDI’ and ‘consent training’. Highlights included the World Sexual Health Day event, hosted by the ESP Forum in collaboration with Debunking the Myths Forum. Students also presented at all EDI Committee meetings in 2024/25, and in June, staff and students proudly marched together in the Dublin Pride Parade.