LIBRA: A simulation-based gender equality training programme for student leaders in higher education

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Date
2026-04-16
Authors
Scott, Michelle Kirrane
Lucey, Siobhán
Power, Mide
Lucey, Siobhán M.
Condron, Claire
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Publisher
BioMed Central Ltd
Published Version
10.1186/s41077-025-00404-9
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Abstract
Background Training is required to build the capacity of future leaders to dismantle disadvantage, influence change and strengthen diversity and inclusion across higher education institutions. The LIBRA pilot project uses a novel simulation-based approach to equip student leaders with skills to address biases and promote gender equality. Methods Kern’s Curriculum Framework was utilised to systematically design a simulation-based gender equality training programme for students, employing a six-step approach that included problem identification, a comprehensive needs assessment using a mixed methods approach, and development of educational objectives and strategies. The LIBRA programme was piloted by 19 student leaders across two sites. The programme was evaluated by assessing participants’ pre- and post-event confidence to deploy skills and techniques which foster gender equity in post-secondary settings. Participant feedback was also collated via an online questionnaire. Results Students’ confidence in their ability to communicate, be actively aware and challenge gender equality matters increased post-intervention. They found the programme engaging, interesting, accessible, and relevant. Students felt comfortable participating in the training and found that the feedback provided to them was useful. The majority of students strongly agreed that simulation is a valuable approach to support the acquisition of gender equality competencies. Conclusions Within the LIBRA pilot project, a simulation-based approach to tackling gender inequality was positively received by student leader participants. The LIBRA programme can be adapted for use in local contexts to create a co-operative simulated learning experience for participants. Further research is required to evaluate the impact and value of such training programmes within the context of wider Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives.
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Keywords
Gender equality , Student leaders , Simulation-based education , [Business] , [CUBS] , [Dental]
Citation
Scott, M K, Lucey, S, Power, M, Lucey, S M & Condron, C 2026, 'LIBRA: A simulation-based gender equality training programme for student leaders in higher education', Advances in Simulation, vol. 11, no. 1, 35. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41077-025-00404-9
Link to publisher’s version
https://doi.org/10.1186/s41077-025-00404-9
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/10468/18955
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Cork University Dental School and Hospital
Cork University Business School
Copyright
© 2026, the Author(s) . Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data.