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Inaugural Dr Brendan McCormack Awards celebrate inclusive education at ATU
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) hosted the inaugural Dr Brendan McCormack Awards for Universal Design Beyond the Classroom (UD) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) on its Sligo campus on Friday, 27 March, celebrating colleagues who are advancing inclusive teaching and learning practices across the university.
The awards recognise innovation, collaboration and leadership in UD and UDL, with eight shortlisted ATU staff members presenting their initiatives to a live audience. Representing a diverse range of disciplines and professional roles across the university, the shortlisted nominees reflected the depth and breadth of inclusive practice at ATU.
Named in honour of Dr Brendan McCormack, former President of the legacy IT Sligo, the awards acknowledge his early leadership and support in laying the foundations for inclusive practice within the institution.
“It’s a real privilege to be here today as a passionate advocate for Universal Design for Learning. When we first began this journey, UDL was not widely understood in higher education, so it is wonderful to see it now embedded across the wider environment. It’s particularly encouraging to see how open colleagues are to discussing new ideas and approaches to design. As educators, we need to redesign the way we teach. For me, UDL is about widening inclusivity and access, and ensuring learning is available to all,” Dr Brendan McCormack said.
Speaking at the event, Dr Niamh Plunkett, Head of Teaching and Learning (Advancing Excellence in Teaching & Learning) at ATU, highlighted that the awards were, first and foremost, a celebration of staff innovation, collaboration across campuses, and the impact of inclusive design on students.
This work is gaining real momentum across the university. To date, 315 staff have completed UD and UDL-related digital badges, and more than 500 colleagues have engaged in workshops, webinars and peer learning between 2022 and 2025. Through the ATU Peer Network, 10 Inclusive Programme Reviews have been completed, while 21 staff have achieved a Postgraduate Certificate in UDL since 2022 and four have progressed to Master’s level. In 2024, we also welcomed international participants for the first time.
The winners were Patrick Arcuri, Access Data Officer at ATU, who received the UD Beyond the Classroom Award, and Dr Fionn Downes, Assistant Lecturer in Mathematics at ATU, who received the UDL Award. Their work showcased what Universal Design for Learning looks like in practice and the meaningful impact it has on students.
The shortlisted nominees for the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Award were Dr Sinead Keogh (Faculty of Business), Dr Fionn Downes (Faculty of Science), Jeremy Madden SFHEA (Faculty of Design, Education and Social Science), and Dr Rosemary Smyth (Faculty of Science & Health).
The shortlisted nominees for the Universal Design Beyond the Classroom Award were Sharon Sherlock (Faculty of Science & Health), Aoife Murray SFHEA (Teaching & Learning Centre), Dr Jess Mannion (Faculty of Design, Education & Social Sciences), and Patrick Arcuri (Access & Widening Participation Office).
The shortlisted initiatives were evaluated by a distinguished external judging panel:
– Dr Joanne Banks, lecturer and researcher in inclusive education at Trinity College Dublin
– Tracy Galvin, lecturer in Higher Education Practice at Ulster University
– Dara Ryder, CEO of AHEAD
– Daniel Elliott, Programme Manager for the University for All initiative at University College Dublin
The university plans to build on the success of the inaugural event, with the awards set to become an annual celebration of excellence in Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning across ATU.
Find out more about the Teaching and Learning Centre at https://www.atu.ie/about/teaching-and-learning
Photo 1– Dr Fionn Downes, Assistant Lecturer in Mathematics at ATU, who received the UDL Award, pictured with Dr Brendan McCormack, in whose honour the awards were named.
Photo 2– Poster promoting the inaugural Dr Brendan McCormack Awards for Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning, celebrating inclusive teaching and learning at Atlantic Technological University (ATU).
Photo 3– Dr Niamh Plunkett, Head of Teaching and Learning (Advancing Excellence in Teaching & Learning) at ATU.
Photo 4– Dr Brendan McCormack takes a selfie with attendees during the inaugural Dr Brendan McCormack Awards for Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning at ATU’s Sligo Campus.
Photo 5– L-R: Dr Niamh Plunkett, Head of Teaching and Learning (Advancing Excellence in Teaching & Learning) at ATU, Bobby Barbour, Communications Manager, MABS, Citizens Information Board (CIB), Gwen Harris, MABS, Marcella Reilly, Access & Widening Participation, Patrick Arcuri, Access Data Officer at ATU, who received the UD Beyond the Classroom Award, Dr Brendan McCormack, Dr Orla Fynn, ATU President, Dr Michele Glacken, Vice President Students, Teaching & Learning, and Maureen Haran, Universal Design for Learning Lecturer and ALTITUDE Project Lead at ATU.
For media enquiries, contact:
Ivana Hanjs
Communications Officer
Tel: 089 963 9559
E: ivana.hanjs@atu.ie
