Although there have been greater numbers of disabled students progressing to higher education in recent years (7.1%), there have been far lower transition rates into postgraduate study (2.4%) and then on to academia. Disabled people in academia report facing a range of barriers to a successful transition and ableism in academia is endemic. Resulting in fears of disclosure of a disability or seeking reasonable accommodations due to ableist attitudes and outdated perceptions. Little is known about the wider experiences of disabled people in academia in Ireland. This seminar will aim to explore ableism in academia in Ireland, provide a platform to share experiences of disabled, chronically ill and neurodivergent staff.

This will be an interactive session on Zoom.

This event is focused on all of the members of the disabled community working in the academic environment in higher education including academic, administrative, and casual, postgrads, postdocs etc.

Opening: Provost Linda Doyle, Trinity College Dublin.

Chair: Dr Vivian Rath – Convenor & Founder, Trinity College Dublin Forum for Disabled Staff & Postgraduate Students.

Keynote :- Dr Nicole Browne

We are delighted to be joined by Dr Brown. She has written extensively on this subject and has recently published a new book titled, 'Lived Experiences of Ableism in Academia: Strategies for Inclusion in Higher Education'. For more information go to Nicole's Webpage

Panel Discussion:

Dr Patricia McCarthy, Vice Convenor TCD Forum for Disabled Staff & Postgrad Students, Trinity College Dublin.

Dr Deirdre O’ Connor – Chair of the Staff Disability Committee, University College Dublin.

Dr Sara Hope Kift – GSU Postgraduate Disability Officer, Trinity College Dublin .

Hearing the Lived Experience:

The topic will be opened to the floor giving attendees the opportunity to share experiences of academic life in higher education. This session will look at how we can make improvements and have our voice heard.

Reflections & Close: Provost Linda Doyle, Trinity College Dublin.

This event is being organised by the Trinity College Dublin Forum for Disabled Staff & Postgraduate Students. For more information go to the Forum Webpage

This event has been supported by the Trinity College Dublin Equality Office .