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Author ORCID Identifier

0009-0008-5965-1824

Abstract

Universities seeking to provide effective support to students should incorporate trauma-sensitive approaches to ensure services are delivered with empathy and compassion while reducing the risk of re-traumatisation. The main objective of this study was to investigate what it means to be a trauma-sensitive university and what steps are required to achieve this. The study focused on Munster Technological University (MTU) as a qualitative case study and identifies what is required to make MTU the first trauma-sensitive university in Ireland. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff across the university's six campuses. Given the limited research examining how trauma-sensitive principles can be operationalised at an institutional level within higher education, this study sought to address an important gap in both research and practice. The findings reveal a caring culture across the university, with staff demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting students on an individual level. Participants, however, identified a need for university-wide training to ensure all staff have the knowledge and skills required to respond to situations in a trauma-sensitive manner. The findings have implications for the development of trauma-sensitive universities in Ireland and beyond. They reinforce that becoming a trauma-sensitive university is an ongoing process rather than a finite goal, requiring continuous commitment and investment over time.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

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