Waterford lecturer receives SETU Vicky Phelan Equality Diversity & Inclusion Award
Pictured at the award ceremony with Dr Walsh (centre) were from (l-r) Dr Helen Murphy, Head of School of Lifelong Learning & Education, Dr Allison Kenneally, Vice President for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Professor Veronica Campbell, SETU President, last year’s recipient, Dr Cara Daly and Vicky Phelan’s parents John and Gaby. Photo by George Goulding, SETU.
Business School lecturer and disability rights advocate Dr Aidan Walsh has been announced as this year’s recipient of the South East Technological University (SETU) Vicky Phelan Equality Diversity & Inclusion Award.
Dr Walsh won the award for his significant contributions to the University, including establishing SETU’s disAbility staff and student network.
Accepting the award, Dr Walsh said:
“Achieving our EDI ambitions means challenging ourselves and taking action to become a more inclusive, equitable and accessible organisation. By embracing an inclusive mindset, we can create a university community where every individual is valued, building on the strengths in the diversity of their backgrounds, abilities, identities and social characteristics."
SETU’s disAbility staff and student network empowers both staff and students with disabilities, driving inclusive practices and policies that promote cultural change.
Dr Walsh is a lecturer in Management at SETU’s Business School and Co-Lead of the Academy of Lean Enterprise Excellence in SETU’s RIKON Research Centre.
SETU President, Professor Veronica Campbell and Vicky Phelan’s parents, Gaby and John, presented the award to Dr Walsh at a recent ceremony held at the Cork Road Campus in Waterford. Speaking at the event, Prof Campbell said the University received "incredible responses" to their call for nominations.
Dr Walsh was chosen because of his 30-year commitment to and continued advocacy of disability rights at the institution.
"Aidan was nominated for this award by his colleagues and chosen as the winner by the selection panel for the significant contributions he has made to equality, diversity and inclusion at SETU over the past year, and in particular, his critical contribution to disability rights across SETU.
"His continued efforts, dedication and leadership throughout his long career at SETU have made a real and positive impact on our University and make Dr Walsh an incredibly deserving recipient of the Vicky Phelan EDI Award,” said Prof Campbell The annual award celebrates those who embody essential values of exceptional leadership and impact in equality, diversity and inclusion across the University.
The EDI Office received a tremendous response to a call for nominations this year, featuring many wonderful nominees.
Dr Walsh recently served as a member of SETU’s Athena Swan self-assessment team and institutional review working group on People, Culture and EDI.
He also advocates for disability rights outside of SETU, actively participating in management committees for community organisations throughout Waterford and Ireland.
In recent days, Dr Walsh was highly commended in the employee of the year category at the National Diversity and Inclusion Awards in recognition of his work and leadership in this space.
