Trinity was delighted to launch its first Race and Ethnic Equality Action Plan on 5th March.

You can view the Action Plan here

The Trinity Race Equality Action Plan outlines 34 concrete actions to address racial and ethnic disparities, amplify diverse and marginalised voices, and ensure that our policies, practices, and culture reflect our core values, ensuring a welcoming environment for all. As said by Provost Prof. Linda Doyle: "The Trinity Race Equality Action Plan is not just a document; it is a commitment - a promise to our students, staff, and the wider community that we will challenge discrimination, dismantle barriers, and proactively create an environment where racial equality is embedded in everything we do."

The launch is a milestone in the work initiated when the Racial and Ethnic Equality Working Group (REE-WG) was established in 2021 to provide a framework to oversee the development and implementation of an action plan for Trinity College Dublin on race and ethnicity to ensure a safe and empowering environment for our students and staff. The action plan augments the College Strategic Plan 2020-25 and offers segues with College’s Institutional Silver Athena Swan Action Plan 2023 - 28 in addressing institutional barriers and systemic challenges with respect to racial and minoritized ethnic diversity and issues of equity. It also seeks to complement local departmental Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team and local Equality, Diversity and Inclusion committees and provides support to developing intersectional approaches to gender equality.

The EDI Office is currently recruiting a Race Equality Officer who will support the actions in the plan.

The event included an overview of the Action Plan by Dr Phil Mullen, (Sociology), Assistant Prof. Black Studies, Co-Chair of Trinity Race Equality Working Group and two panel discussions from representatives across our community:

Panel 1: Change for the Institution

Moderator:  EDI Consultant (London Metropolitan University), Athena Swan/Race Equality Charter Chair, Windsor Fellowship Chair (UK positive action race equality charity), independent advisor University of Galway

Panellists:

  • Ms Ciara McGarry Quinn, TCD and UCD Traveller and Roma Access Officer
  • Ms Susan Migunda-Greene, School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultural Studies
  • Mr Lassane Ouedraogo (Trinity Global Engagement) University of Sanctuary Support Officer
  • Prof. Mani Ramaswami, (Trinity Inst. Of Neurosciences), Trinity Race Equality Working Group

Panel 2: Change for People

Moderator: Mr Joel McKeever
Equality Officer, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Office

Panellists:

  • Mr Hamza Bana, (TCDSU/AMCLT), Welfare and Equality Officer
  • Mr Aaron Koay (UCL), TCD Pharmacy 2019, Co-Chair of Faculty of Health Sciences EDI Group (2021-22)
  • Ms Honghui Zhu, School of Linguistic, Speech, and Communication Sciences
  • Ms Faith Olopade, Chair (Central Societies Committee), Member (Student Life Committee), (Taskforce on Academic and Institutional International Links and Related Matters)