Centre for Academic Practice, Trinity Teaching & Learning

Contact Us Centre for Academic Practice
Room 3.06
3-4 Foster Place
Dublin 2
Ireland

View the contact page for more contact and location information

academicpractice@tcd.ie

There are a range of professional development opportunities available to teaching staff in Trinity who are looking to expand their understanding of Universal Design for Learning principles. These include the Universal Design in Teaching & Learning Digital Badge (AHEAD) — a national rollout that offers an opportunity to connect with colleagues across universities in Ireland — and the Centre for Academic Practice's Special Purpose Certificate in Academic Practice which embeds UDL principles into its design.

→ Click on the sections below to view the currently-available offerings related to UDL.

This badge is a free introductory course on Universal Design for Learning for all those working in Higher and Further Education in the Republic of Ireland and is a nationally recognised micro-credential. Over 4,500 individuals have completed this Badge nationally.

The next iteration of the badge runs from 5 October – 14 December 2026; you can register at: Universal Design in Teaching & Learning Digital Badge (AHEAD).

 This UDL Digital Badge:

  • is for those who are primarily involved in teaching learners in a classroom setting
  • focuses on teaching, learning and assessment
  • provides faculty and teaching staff with a sustained opportunity to critically reflect on their teaching methods and make changes to the practice by embedding UDL
  • will enhance your teaching, improve your students’ learning experience and help you improve student engagement.

NB: Participants should have some teaching activity during the course rollout in order to redesign an element of their practice.

 The course consists of:

  • a 10-week programme; roughly 2.5 hrs of work per week
  • 5 self-directed online modules and 3 recorded webinars
  • 4 peer group meetings online
  • a Redesign Activity which is submitted and reviewed before the Digital Badge is awarded
  • an optional 5 hour additional facilitator activity for those who wish to support future rollouts of the badge.

Developed by AHEAD, UCD Access and Lifelong Learning, and the HEA’s National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, this national rollout offers a supportive learning environment and the opportunity to connect with colleagues across universities in Ireland.

Find out more at the AHEAD website (UDL course).

The Centre for Academic Practice's Special Purpose Certificate in Teaching, Learning & Assessment is a level 9, non-major award. The 15 ECTS-credited ‘SpCert’ focuses on four interrelated facets of Academic Practice: teaching, learning, research and leadership. Principles and practices related to UDL are embedded in our different module offerings.

Next steps

In the next section, we will look at some information on European, national and university policies that underpin inclusive practices in Trinity.