The project goals are to: Create an accessible curriculum that supports the engagement, representation and action of all students, including those from diverse worldviews, cultures, and identities, and with different learning backgrounds, abilities and strategies Embed the principles of inclusion in all aspects of the academic cycle, across all courses, modules and programmes at Trinity College Dublin Establish Trinity College Dublin as a community of belonging and respect for diversity, where all our students feel supported in achieving their learning goals Equip students with the qualities, skills and behaviours encompassed by the Trinity Graduate attributes
Project activities are focused around four (equal) pillars of initiatives:
An inclusive curriculum is one in which all students, regardless of background, personal circumstances, or learning backgrounds, abilities or strategies, have equitable opportunity to engage fully in their studies and achieve their learning goals. Curriculum design, often unwittingly, can exclude certain students in relation to class (Quinn, 2006), gender (Quinn, 2006; Francis, 2006), sexuality (Toynton, 2007), ethnicity and disability (Fuller et al., 2008, 2009). Such exclusions can occur, for example, through the lack of diversity reflected in reading materials, inaccessible teaching or assessment approaches, or lack of consideration given to individual circumstances, including unequal access to IT and the internet, caring or other responsibilities. These aspects should be considered when preparing courses, modules and online materials and should be reflected in learning outcomes.
Research documents that exclusionary practices prevalent in universities damage student attainment and retention and negatively impact on student experience. There is no 'average' or 'typical' student: students are not one-dimensional but vary on many dimensions of learning, cultural and living circumstances. Inclusive learning environments nurture individual potential and support Trinity as a place of excellence for learning.
Understanding Diversity: Table outlining four broad types of diversity - educational, personal, home-life and cultural
The Trinity Inclusive Curriculum project closely aligns with the Trinity Strategic Plan 2020-2025, critically, Goal 1: We will foster an ever more diverse and inclusive student community, and Goal 8: We will be one Trinity community.
Trinity Strategic Plan 2020-2025 states that by 2025 underrepresented groups should be 25% of our population (1.5), that 30-35% students will come from outside Ireland (1.1). It further asserts that, in Trinity, we will empower disabled students (1.9), that equality, diversity and inclusion will be a cornerstone of our ethos and practice (8.2), and we will grow student numbers (9.3).
The Trinity-INC project supports the cross-cutting goals of fostering an ever more diverse and inclusive student community, supporting a transformative student experience, practising next-generation teaching and learning.
The Trinity-INC project promotes the qualities, skills and behaviours which are encompassed by the four Trinity Graduate Attributes: to think independently; to communicate effectively; to develop continuously; and to act responsibly. These attributes will be fostered both through the embedding of inclusivity principles into all curricula, and through the Trinity-INC Student Partner Programme.
Academic Project Director
"I have always had a strong interest in inclusion, through my academic approach and having been a Co
Project Manager
"Throughout my career, I have worked with many underrepresented and marginalised communities from ch
Student Partner Liaison Officer
"I am a recent Trinity graduate who came through the Trinity Access Programme, and navigated univers
Graduate Intern
"I am a recent graduate of Trinity having completed a BA in Modern Irish/Classical Civilisation i
To achieve the goals of the project, project activities are focused around four (equal) pillars of initiatives:Academic, Student, Institutional and Infrastructural
The Trinity-INC Advisory Board involves 30+ Trinity staff and students, representing four project pillars, plus key external individuals with expertise in curriculum design and inclusive curriculum. The role of the Advisory Board is to guide the implementation of the Trinity-INC project through providing expert advice and input on the project strategy, work streams and activities.
For further information contact us here, or check us out on Twitter @TCDInclusion or Instagram @trinityinclusivecurriculum
