The University Observer

🗞️ The University Observer is Now Hiring for 2026/2027! 🗞️

🌟 We’re delighted to announce that applications are now open to be part of our Team for Volume # # 🌟

🧜🏼‍♀️ We are taking applications for Broadsheet and OTwo Section Editors, News Team roles, and more! The UO is the best place to get involved in student media. We’ve even added a few roles, so there’s something for everyone! 🧜🏼‍♀️

🪼For more information, head to the Linktree in our bio where you can read more about applications and details on all of these roles🪼

☘️ The deadline for this first round of applications is 11:59pm on June 26th. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to DM us here or email us at [email protected] or [email protected]

🤸🏻‍♂️ We can’t wait to receive your applications 🤸🏻‍♂️

🗞️ The University Observer is Now Hiring for 2026/2027! 🗞️

🌟 We’re delighted to announce that applications are now open to be part of our Senior Executive Team for Volume # # 🌟

🗝️ For more information, head to the Linktree in our bio where you can read more about applications and details on all of these roles. You’ll also find out more information on the remainder of UO roles set to open later this month!

☘️ The deadline for this first round of applications is 11:59pm on June 12th. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to DM us here or email us at [email protected] or [email protected]

The University Observer took home a total of seven awards at the Student Media Awards (SMEDIAS) - including Newspaper of the Year. This marks the first time the paper has won this award since 2016.

The 26th edition of the SMEDIAS took place on the 29th of April at the Clayton Burlington Hotel, where the University Observer team were recognised across a range of categories.

Adam Schmitz received the award of Editor of the Year, alongside an award for Journalism Related to Health for his article, ‘Tourettes, The BAFTAs, and Me’.

Deputy Editor Orla Mahon was awarded Journalist of the Year. Adam Schmitz & Orla Mahon jointly accepted the award of Journalists of the Year: National Media.

John O’Connor received the award Short Story of the Year. John has served as News Co-Editor for Volume # # , and is soon to take the role of Deputy Editor for Volume # # .

Travel Editor Mary O’Leary took home the award Journalism Relating to Travel for her article, ‘Freedom or Isolation: Passports and the People They Divide’.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our work throughout the year! 🌟🗞️

Introducing the Editorial Team for the University Observer 2026/27! 🌟🗞️

We’re delighted to announce that Alice Keegan and John O’Connor will be leading the paper into Volume # # !

Incoming Editor Alice Keegan has served as OTwo Co-Editor over the last year, whilst incoming Deputy Editor John O’Connor has been co-editor of the News section of the paper for the year.

Congratulations to Alice and John - we’re truly so excited to see where you take the University Observer over the next year! 🎉

This article discusses mental illness and self-harm.

According to YouGov, one in three Americans say they would be comfortable discussing their mental health with a chatbot rather than a human therapist. What drives people toward a chatbot rather than a professional is not simply its 24/7 availability. Mental health services across Ireland remain severely under-resourced. Waiting lists stretch for months, particularly outside urban areas. Students on UCD campus have recently reported waiting several months before being able to access counselling.

Users, many of them in vulnerable emotional states, approach these systems as they would a licensed therapist. They disclose trauma, replay distressing experiences, and use the platform for informal self-diagnosis.

🔗 Read the full article on our website.
✍️ Katharina Lublinski
📷 Pexels

On 24 March, Minister of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, published the National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026-2035. The plan sets out to deliver an additional 42,000 beds by 2035 for students across the country and seeks to address the challenges individuals face when trying to find affordable university accommodation.

Of the 42,000 extra beds, 32,000 are planned to come from purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) that will be created through public-private partnerships where private companies will be given permission to build student residence on university owned land. The remaining 10,000 beds are planned to be provided through digs in private households.

The strategy claims that the current excess, and future, demand for student accommodation is beyond the financial capacity of the Irish state to fulfill. As a result, this strategy turns towards the private sector to aid the government in developing student housing, as well as an increased focus on Rent-a-Room accommodation.

🔗 Read the full article on our website.
✍️ Beth Clifford
📷 Unsplash

UCD students have voted on a new constitution for their Students’ Union, creating a full-time Irish Language Officer.

Results have been announced for the referendum on the proposed UCDSU constitution, alongside the executive by-elections held for vacant College Officer roles.

The constitutional referendum has passed, moving the role of Oifigeach na Gaeilge from a part-time position into a full-time sabbatical officer role.

The total valid poll for the referendum was 4,911, whilst quorum was 4,029.

The total amount of No votes cast in the referendum was 297, whilst the number of Yes votes was 4,614.

Therefore, the referendum passed with 94% of students voting yes.

A recent survey of fifty second-year students at UCD’s School of Nursing and Midwifery indicates widespread concern about wellbeing and support. The findings of the survey, conducted by the University Observer, show that 92% of respondents feel their mental health is not adequately supported by the university, while 88% reported very high levels of stress linked to academic demands and clinical placements, with many saying they do not feel sufficiently supported in managing these pressures by the college.

Student nurses have raised concerns that their training experience in the college and on clinical placement does not match the “friendly and supportive environment” promoted on official university platforms. Instead, students describe an academic and clinical system that leaves them emotionally drained, academically unprepared and largely unsupported as they navigate their introduction to healthcare.

🔗 Read the full story at the link in bio.
✍️ John O’Connor
📷 The University Observer

Final coffee morning of the year!! 🗞️☕️

Issue 6 is nearly here! Make sure to swing by our office on Tuesday from 12.30pm to 2pm to get the first look of our latest paper when it arrives on campus! Tea, coffee, biscuits, and plenty of copies of Issue 6 will be provided. 🌟🗞️🌟🗞️🌟

Don’t worry if you can’t make it for the coffee morning - by Tuesday afternoon, copies will be available all across campus!

Need help finding the office? Check out our Instagram highlights for directions!

We hope to see you there for our final coffee morning ever!!!! (ie, this academic year) 🌟