The Vicky Phelan Equality Diversity & Inclusion Award
Vicky Phelan was a courageous and determined patient rights advocate and campaigner for better women’s healthcare. Vicky Phelan became a prominent public figure in the campaign to exposé the mismanagement of the results of cervical cancer screening, which went on to become one of the biggest political and medical scandals of our time. Vicky Phelan previously held the position of Director of Literacy Development at South East Technological University, a national centre that provides professional development to practitioners working within the adult literary and adult education sector. She later became Head of the Literacy Development Centre. While at SETU Vicky completed a Masters in the Management of Education in 2011. She remained a staff member of SETU for almost 12 years. In 2018 Vicky was awarded with an Honorary Fellowship by SETU, the highest honorary award which is conferred to individuals who have demonstrated distinction in a field of human endeavour to such an extent as to provide motivation and inspiration to the community of the University and society at large. The Vicky Phelan Chair in Equality and Access to Education was launched by SETU on International Women’s Day, 8 March 2022.
The Vicky Phelan Equality Diversity & Inclusion Award has been established in order to perpetuate her memory in the university and in appreciation of her enormous contribution to women’s healthcare, patient rights and indeed, Irish life. The award will be made annually to the person (staff member or student) who is judged to have made the greatest contribution to equality, diversity and inclusion in the university community in some way.
The award will be administered by the Office for Equality Diversity & Inclusion, with an annual call each year, followed by an awards ceremony where the recipient will receive their award. The 2024 winner will be announced in September!
EU Award for Gender Equality Champions
In recognition of its significant strides towards inclusive gender equality, South East Technological University was presented with Europe’s first Inclusive Gender Equality Champion award in Brussels on the 8 March 2022 at a special event to mark International Women’s Day.
The Educational Awards
SETU was the winner in the Excellence in Diversity, Inclusivity & Equality category in April 2023. SETU was recognised for its work in cultivating an inclusive environment where diversity is championed and all members of its community, both staff and students, are treated fairly and respectfully.
Eucen SMILE Diversity Awards, Barcelona
SETU was announced as the overall winner of the Eucen SMILE Diversity Awards 2023 in Barcelona for the most inspiring abstract addressing diversity and inclusion in higher education. Ms Roisin Shanahan’s paper was shortlisted at this award ceremony in November 2023.
National Diversity and Inclusion Awards
SETU was shortlisted in two categories in February 2023: Advancement of LGBTQ+ Inclusion Award and Mary Doyle-Kent shortlisted for Employee of the Year Award. In February 2024 Dr Cara Daly was shortlisted in the Employee of the Year category at the NDIA awards.