In the News..

More than 80 children with additional needs have enjoyed a unique opportunity to experience the magic of Christmas with a special visit to a Sensory Friendly Santa’s Grotto. The two-day event on December 5th and 6th was facilitated by staff and students from the School of Psychology at University of Galway, who took on the important roles of elves and Santa’s helpers. The annual Sensory Friendly Santa's Grotto has been a highlight of the year at University of Galway since 2017 and has grown to a weekend event, giving 48 families with additional needs the opportunity to visit Santa in a winter wonderland. Children received individualised, sensory-friendly gifts from Santa and had their photos taken, creating special Christmas memories. Dr Rachel Fitzpatrick, Dr Shauna Diffley, Dr Aoife McTiernan and Dr Helena Lydon from the School of Psychology coordinated the event, with a team of volunteer staff and students from the MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis and final year students from the BSc Psychology programme at University of Galway. Dr Aoife McTiernan, Director of the MSc and PhD in Applied Behaviour Analysis and Lecturer in Psychology, University of Galway, said: “Visiting Santa is a cherished Christmas tradition, but busy grottos filled with noise, bright lights, and queues can be challenging for children with additional needs. The Sensory Friendly Santa’s Grotto at the University of Galway offers a calm, magical experience designed especially for these children and their families, often giving them their first opportunity to meet Santa.” Dr Rachel Fitzpatrick, Lecturer in Applied Behaviour Analysis, School of Psychology, University of Galway, said: “The event is made fully accessible and inclusive through small adjustments to the grotto and environment. Santa and the team connect with families in advance to help each child enjoy their visit at their own pace. It’s a true team effort, with Santa, the elves, and volunteers (staff and students from the School of Psychology) working hard behind the scenes to create real Christmas magic. We are deeply grateful to our generous sponsors across Galway and Ireland, and to the School of Psychology.” The organisers also hope to spread Christmas cheer by creating a freely available "How to Guide” on running similar inclusive and accessible Santa's Grotto events. The aim is that it will encourage other businesses and organisations across Ireland to provide this unique opportunity for more families of children with additional needs to experience the magic of meeting Santa. The event coordinators continued their annual tradition to collect for COPE's Christmas appeal with visitors and volunteers donating items for Christmas hampers for those in need.  Businesses from Galway and around Ireland sponsored the 2025 event and their generosity plays a critical role in making the magic of the event happen. Sponsors include Diligent, Liberty IT, Galway Camera Shop, Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, 56 Central, Cregal Art, The Galmont, Connacht Hospitality Group, Irish Socksciety, Ground and Co, Smyths Toys Superstores, Supermac’s, The Galway Bay Hotel, Lidl and Home Store. Business sponsor, Ruairí Conroy, Site Lead, Diligent Galway, said: “At Diligent, we’re committed to supporting initiatives that create meaningful impact in our community. The Sensory Friendly Santa experience is a truly special event, it ensures every child has the chance to enjoy the magic of Christmas in a way that feels comfortable and accessible. We’re proud to support the incredible work that goes into making this experience possible for families across Galway.”   Ends

University of Galway has been awarded an institutional Silver Athena Swan award - a milestone in the University’s commitment to advancing equality and fostering an inclusive culture.   The Silver award recognises a strong institutional commitment to equality and clear evidence of progress and impact, building on the foundations of two previous Bronze awards.   The formal accreditation was given to the University at the National Athena Swan awards event in SETU, Carlow. University initiatives and interventions commended by Athena Swan Ireland in the award of the Silver accreditation include increasing the representation of women in senior academic grades and in leadership positions.  This includes:   A 15% rise in the proportion of females across all senior grades from 2015 to 2024.  The proportion of female senior lecturers in University of Galway has increased from 31% in 2017 to 47% in 2025.    The proportion of female professors has increased from 13% in 2017 to 30% in 2025.  In two other areas there has been further significant change with the proportion of female Heads of Schools increasing from 35% in 2017, to 56% in 2025, and the proportion of female Deans up from 14% in 2017, to 50% in 2025.  Alongside the institutional recognition, 14 of the University’s schools now hold Athena Swan awards – with 2 schools recognised with a Silver award, and 12 schools with Bronze. In 2024-2025, the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics was awarded Silver; the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures and the School of Political Science and Sociology received their first Bronze awards; and the School of Nursing and Midwifery and School of Psychology renewed their Bronze awards.  Professor David Burn, President of University of Galway, said: "I warmly congratulate our Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Dr Helen Maher, her team and the whole University community for their dedication in achieving an Athena Swan Silver institutional award. These awards are a testament to the sustained work of the University in improving gender equality and enhancing the lived experience of students and staff.   “Athena Swan at University of Galway now addresses not only gender, but the broader culture and experience of staff from all staff categories, embedding equality, diversity and inclusion into the fabric of University life. I look forward to working together with staff and students to continue our collaborative efforts and commitment to further advance equality and foster an inclusive culture at the University." Dr Helen Maher, Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at University of Galway, said: “Our new Silver Athena Swan accreditation is both an acknowledgement of how far we have come, and a reminder of our responsibility to continue to advance equality for all. This award reflects the vision and dedication of staff and students throughout our University community, and our shared commitment to making University of Galway a place where everyone feels valued and accepted. While we remain cognisant of the extensive work to do, we are proud of this progress and determined to build on it.” Athena Swan also praised the University’s 2025-2030 Equality Diversity Inclusion (EDI) action plan which is likely to drive substantial change in areas where issues have been identified. Robust internal Equality Diversity Inclusion (EDI) and governance structures within the University  were also noted, as was the annual funding of €3,000 for Athena Swan activities such as scholarships and events, at School and Unit level offered by the Office of the Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Over the past decade, led by the Office of the Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, University of Galway has taken a proactive and collaborative approach to tackling historic challenges in relation to gender equality, leading to a genuine and sustainable cultural shift over time. Athena Swan is an internationally recognised charter for gender equality in higher education and research. In Ireland, it is overseen by Advance HE and supported by the Higher Education Authority. The Silver award places University of Galway among a select group of institutions demonstrating sustained, evidence-based change.   Sarah Fink, Head of Athena Swan Ireland, said: “This Silver Athena Swan award highlights the fantastic commitment of University of Galway in bringing about change through impactful and sustainable gender equality initiatives in higher education across Ireland. Congratulations to all those who work so hard to achieve and sustain this recognition.”  Jennie Rothwell, Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Higher Education Authority, said: "Action plans developed through the Athena Swan Ireland Charter enable higher education institutions and departments to take an evidence-based approach to addressing gender equality challenges. Congratulations to University of Galway in taking this step forward to advance gender equality for all staff and students." Ends

University of Galway is to take a major international role in supporting the media ecosystem and democratic development in Ukraine with a new cooperation agreement with President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government. The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed at a meeting in Dublin today, which was hosted by the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Volodymyrivna Zelenska. The agreement between University of Galway and the Government of Ukraine sets out joint work on democracy, media and public communication as the country continues to defend itself from the Russian invasion and sustained Russian disinformation efforts aimed at weakening European democracy and public trust. The agreement confirms the University as a partner in the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies, an international initiative coordinated by the Office of the President of Ukraine to strengthen academic cooperation and counter the effects of the ongoing war and the wider information threats facing Europe. President of University of Galway Professor David Burn and Associate Professor Tom Felle attended on behalf of the University. The agreement establishes a structured programme of cooperation on media literacy, democratic resilience and the rule of law. It reflects the University’s growing role in European debates on democracy and public communication and supports Ukraine as it continues to defend its sovereignty and progress towards European Union membership.  President of University of Galway Professor David Burn said: “Ukraine’s defence of democracy and European identity goes to the heart of our mission as a university for the public good. Galway has become a leading academic centre for work on media, democracy, digital governance and human rights, and our researchers influence policy discussions across Europe. This Memorandum strengthens that work in partnership with Ukraine at a moment of sustained pressure on democratic institutions and the information environment. It sets out the kind of contribution a university of our scale and ambition should make in Europe today.”  Associate Professor of Journalism and Media Tom Felle said: “Democracy relies on informed citizens and a resilient media system. Ukraine’s journalists, educators and students continue to work under extreme conditions. This agreement allows us to support them and to deepen academic cooperation while ensuring our own students engage directly with the realities of a country defending its freedoms. Galway is committed to playing a constructive role in this partnership and to working with institutions that share a commitment to democratic principles.”  University of Galway currently hosts more than 50 Ukrainian students across a wide range of disciplines. They include Vladyslav Piatin Ponomarenko whose documentary Imagine War, 75 Days of Survival in Mariupol won the Film Documentary of the Year award at the 2025 National Student Media Awards.  University of Galway is recognised internationally for its work on democracy, media and digital governance. Research at the University addresses disinformation, platform regulation, information integrity and the role of independent journalism in democratic life. It also contributes to European policy discussions on the Digital Services Act and the European Media Freedom Act and is known internationally for rigorous teaching and research in journalism and global media.  The partnership includes future cooperation with leading institutions in Kyiv, including the Mohyla School of Journalism at the National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy and the Faculty of Journalism at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Future planned activity includes joint teaching, guest lectures, shared research and opportunities for Ukrainian scholars and students to work with colleagues in Galway. The agreement will also embed Ukrainian case studies and expertise across media and democracy teaching at the University.  Ends