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Celebrating 10 Years of EDI and Launch of the EDI Strategy 2026-2030 (Sept 28th 2026)

Celebrating 10 Years of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Galway

The Office of the Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) recently hosted a special event to mark 10 years of EDI at the University of Galway. The event provided an opportunity to celebrate the progress made over the past decade, reflect on the journey so far, and look towards the future of EDI across the University.

The event was opened by Dr Helen Maher, Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, who welcomed attendees and introduced a short video highlighting the current work and priorities of the EDI Office. This was followed by an address from Professor David Burn, President of the University of Galway.

A panel discussion then explored the development of EDI over the past ten years. The panel brought together Aoife Cooke, Head of EDI; Professor Nata Duvvury; Professor Margaret Hodgins; Dr Chris Noone; and Dr Helen Maher. Each shared their experiences and reflections on the University's EDI journey, providing valuable insights into the progress achieved, the challenges encountered and the continued importance of advancing equality, diversity and inclusion.

A key highlight of the event was the launch of the University of Galway EDI Strategy 2026–2030 by Professor Penny Andrews of New York Law School. Professor Andrews has taught professional responsibility, gender equality, and racial justice and the law since joining New York Law School in 2019. She is also Director of the NYLS Racial Justice Project. Her work in the fields of gender equality, racial justice and international law has been widely recognised. In 2026, she received the Prominent Women in International Law Award from the American Society of International Law, while in 2025 she was awarded the Ronald Pipkin Service Award by the Law and Society Association in recognition of her sustained service to the Association and the wider sociolegal community.

The event concluded by looking towards the future, with contributions from Dr Deirdre McHugh, Universal Design and Accessibility Manager, and Molly Hickey, Students' Union President for Welfare and Equality. They invited attendees to think about how we can continue to build on the progress of the past decade and to imagine what the future of EDI at the University of Galway might look like.

The 10-year celebration was an important opportunity to recognise the people, commitment and collective effort that have shaped EDI at the University of Galway over the past decade, while looking forward with ambition to the next chapter of equality, diversity and inclusion across the University.

Panel Discussion, Reflections of EDI over the 10 Years

^{L:R Professor Margaret Hodgins, Professor Nata Duvvury, Dr Chris Noone, Dr Helen Maher & Aoife Cooke}

EDI Team 2026 with Guest Speakers

^{Front L:R Dr Helen Maher, Dr Deirdre McHugh, Dr Tanja Kovacic, Niamh Gallagher, Ann Marie Stokes, Prof Nata Duvvury, Prof Margaret Hodgins, Margaret Forde, Prof Penny Andrews, Molly Hickey
Back L:R Dr Chris Noone, Fariba Foolad, Dr Laura Loftus, Tonja Watts, Tara Flannagan, Niamh Kavanagh, Aoife Cooke, Owen Ward & Rebecca Connolly}

^{Video: Our 10 Year Journey from 2016 to 2026} 

Universal Design Student Bursary Schemes