University of Galway Institutional Self-Reflection on Community Engagement

room full of people sitting at round tables discussing

Together we explore community engagement at University of Galway using the TEFCE toolbox. Following the methodology outlined in the toolbox we conducted a baseline scan last year. Next we explored our joint understanding of authentic engagement and cocreated the case study template which forms the basis of each of the case studies. With thanks to Dr Chris Noone for the introduction to this tool we reflect on community engagement at University of Galway with co-created case studies below with thanks to the authors, advisors and staff in Community Engagement who made this possible including Sofia Fragala, Kiana Garcia, Paula Martínez del Canizo, Eithne O'Connell and Leomie Fernandes.

Three people two women and one man

The Engagement Office: Dr Ann O'Brien Community Engagement Manager, Marc Mellotte Head of Engagement, Louise Monaghan Corporate Engagement Manager

The Engagement Office: Dr Ann O'Brien Community Engagement Manager, Marc Mellotte Head of Engagement, Louise Monaghan Corporate Engagement Manager

Community Engagement is located in the Institute for Lifecourse and Society (ILAS) if you would like to get in touch please email community@universityofgalway.ie,

For student volunteering inquiries email studentvolunteering@universityofgalway.ie or explore StudentVolunteer.ie

For internship inquiries please contact: Work based Learning & Placement

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Community Engagement Showcase Day at University of Galway 27th May 2026

The event brought together community members, researchers, staff and lecturers, providing an opportunity to connect, share experiences and explore future collaboration. The aim of the day is to give our external communities the opportunity to share their experience of engaging with the University, while also welcoming members of the public who would like to learn more about community engagement.

Is é aidhm na hócáide deis a thabhairt dár bpobail sheachtracha an taithí atá acu ar bheith ag comhoibriú leis an ollscoil a roinnt.  Tugaimid cuireadh freisin don phobal ar mhaith leo tuilleadh eolais a fháil faoi chomhoibriú leis an ollscoil. 

a group of people sitting at a round table talking

Staff engagement displays on the day from: Access Office, Active Consent, Archaeology, Cell Explorers, Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development, Career Development Centre - Work Placements, CodePlus, Community Education, Cumas, Cúram, Diabetes Collaborative - Clinical Trial Network, Ideas Lab, Gaeilge, Galway Neuroscience Centre, Human Rights Clinic, Insight Research Centre, Junior Parkrun, PhD candidates, Philosophy, PPI Ignite, Research Office, Ryan Institute/ Geography, School of Health Sciences/CMNHS, SeedPop, Shannon School of Hotel Management, Student Recruitment and Outreach, Reel life science, Student volunteer Ireland, Sustainability Office, Tax Clinic, University of Sanctuary, Youth Academy

group of people on a stage talking on a panel

two women leaning over a table with science objects on the table

Community partners registered for the day: Achill Community Futures, Aerogen, Age Action, An Mheitheal Rothar, Ballybane Afterschool ACE Project, Belmullet Group, Claddagh Credit Union, Comhar Chuigéal Teo, Comharchumann Forbartha Ionad Deirbhile, Compass Recovery, COPE Galway, COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service, Corlann West (formerly Brothers of Charity Services West Region), Croí, Croí na Gaillimhe SVP Resource Centre, Democratic Progress Institute, Flirt FM 101.3, Forbairt Chonamara Láir Teo., Foroige Galway City UBU, Foróige Mentoring, Galway City Community Network, Galway City Council, Galway City Partnership, Galway City Partnership (Local Area Employment Service), Galway City Social Prescribing, Galway Community Sponsorship Group, Galway Energy Cooperative, Galway Filipino Irish Community, Galway International Arts Festival, Galway Library Services, Galway Public Libraries, Galway Rape Crisis Centre, Galway Recovery College, Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board, Galway Rural Development, Galway Traveller Movement, GOCOM Radio, HIVE Lab University of Galway, JCI Galway, Junior Chamber International Galway, Kylemore Abbey/The Kylemore Trust, Link Galway CLG, Longford Women’s Link, Macnas, MADRA Dog Rescue, Marketing, Mayo County Council, Mayo North East LEADER Partnership, Mayo North East LP, Mountbellew, Mountbellew Agricultural College, Music for Galway, Naomh Breandan Credit Union, NYCI, Ógras, parkrun sóisearach taobh thiar, Rehab Group, Research Ireland, Scoil Iognáid, SERVE in Solidarity, Toodlelou Creativity Lab & Baboró International Arts Festival for Children, TRES, Trócaire, Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta, University of Galway parkrun, Vision Ireland, Westside junior parkrun, Westside Resource Centre, Women for Integration and Wellbeing.

three students standing in front of their postesr

Teaching & Learning Case Studies

Extent to which study programmes reflect societal needs, include community-based learning and involve external communities in teaching and learning.

Research & Innovation Case Studies

Extent to which research is carried out about and with external
communities

Further reading see Research Impact Case Studies

Knowledge Exchange Case Studies

Extent to which academic staff is involved in joint initiatives supporting external communities’ development and empowerment.

Do University staff provide their knowledge to support and/or build the capacity of the university’s external communities?

Insight's Education and Public Engagement (EPE) remit is multi-faceted, engaging with a wide cross section of society including schools, Mincéirí, asylum seekers, businesses, hospital patients, state agencies and access groups.

Student Case Studies

Students contribute in a wide variety of ways, in ALIVE student volunteering, the Students Union, in Societies and in service learning, research projects and internships.

Partnerships & Openness Case Studies

Does the university have a track record of mutually beneficial partnerships with its external communities?  

 

Open resources - Does the university make learning and research resources accessible to its external communities?   

Accessible facilities/services - Does the University have facilities and services that are jointly managed and/or accessible to its external communities?

The James Mitchell Museum is managed by Earth & Ocean Sciences: James Mitchell Geology Museum - University of Galway  

The Computer and Communications Museum is managed by Insight: Computer and Communications Museum of Ireland - University of Galway

The Biodiversity Trail was devised by colleagues in Environmental Science: Biodiversity Trail - University of Galway

Our maps webpage Maps - University of Galway locates other useful facilities such as AED's, cycling, family friendly facilities, parking, sensory and wellbeing facilities, exercise facilities, 5km route etc.

Contact the Community Engagement Office at the University of Galway

Email: community@universityofgalway.ie

Engagement Office

Institute for Lifecourse and Society (ILAS)
University of Galway
Upper Newcastle Road
Galway, Ireland
H91 C7DK