Lead Department
Blackrock Castle Observatory
Coordinated by
Alan Giltinan (alan.giltinan@bco.ie)
Active Members
5
Purpose
The Inclusive Education and Engagement Learning Community aims to foster inclusion and equity in the Education and Public Engagement (EPE) environment. This initiative will focus on staff training, resource development, and visits to external organisations to learn from best practices in accessibility and engagement.
Key objectives include:
- Enhancing inclusivity in educational engagement through staff training.
- Developing accessible resources for students and visitors.
- Visiting national and international sites to assess and implement best practices.
- Creating a structured, ongoing community of learning that strengthens MTU’s approach to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
- Implementing facility updates to improve accessibility and engagement experiences.
Summary
The Inclusive Education and Engagement Learning Community will be led by core members from Blackrock Castle Observatory and Cork School of Music (CSM), with monthly meetings held both in-person and online.
Planned Activities for 2024-25:
- Staff Training & Development:
- Providing training solutions for staff in AADI (Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland) and ISL (Irish Sign Language).
- Enhancing public engagement skills through best practice workshops.
- Accessibility & Assistive Technology Integration:
- Purchasing headphones, noise suppression technology, and assistive audio software for improved visitor engagement.
- Implementing lighting adjustments and improved signage for accessibility.
- EDI-Themed Open Days & Community Outreach:
- Creating printed resources and assistive materials for diverse audiences.
- Organising engagement-focused events for underrepresented communities.
- Site Visits to Leading Institutions:
- Visiting Armagh Planetarium and at least one other Irish site to assess best practices in inclusive public engagement.
- Benchmarking against international EDI standards for science communication and education.
- Collaborative Research & Implementation:
- Sharing findings with MTU departments to influence broader institutional improvements.
- Exploring future collaborations and funding opportunities.
Future Plans:
- Expanding the learning community to include more MTU staff and external partners.
- Developing an accessibility action plan based on findings from site visits.
- Integrating inclusive practices into curriculum design for enhanced student learning.
- Strengthening industry links with accessibility and engagement professionals.
This Learning Community represents a strategic effort to embed inclusivity and accessibility in public engagement, education, and institutional operations at MTU, fostering a more equitable learning environment for staff, students, and visitors.
