What is your role and what does it involve?
I’m the EDI Manager in the Faculty of Brain Sciences. My role is unusual in UCL, and I mainly focus on advancing the faculty’s EDI strategy, by leading on and embedding EDI work at faculty-level. I work closely with our Vice-Dean (EDI) and Director of Operations to provide high-level support and specialist advice on EDI issues. We have quite a sophisticated EDI governance structure in Brain Sciences, so I also work very closely with our faculty Equity Leads, as well as Directors of EDI and Athena Swan Leads in our 6 institutes/divisions, identifying opportunities to work collaboratively and across the faculty to reduce duplication and embed practice. I’m also responsible for the coordination of the Centre for Equality Research in Brain Sciences , which offers small grant funding for research projects exploring EDI issues in mind and brain sciences. So far we’ve funded 17 projects, developing and nurturing our expertise in this area.I am also one of the co-leads for the UCL EDI CoP (alongside Carol Rivas and Mary Assad). The CoP connects those working on EDI across the institution, building community and connection to advance culture change.
How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role?
I joined UCL in 2018. My previous role was in the Institute of Ophthalmology (IoO), as the Athena Swan Project Manager. I’m proud of helping IoO achieve a Silver Athena Swan award in 2022.What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?
I completed an MA in Social Justice and Education at the Ioe in September. I studied part-time, worked full-time and started my current role halfway thought my studies! It was stressful, but I enjoyed it and it gave me a different perspective of the institution being both a student and member of staff.Tell us about a project you are working on now which is top of your to-do list
We recently ran a staff survey in the faculty, so communicating those results is at the top of my to-do list. I’m also working on a research project exploring awarding gaps for PGT students in the faculty, for which I’ve just started recruiting students for interviews.What is your favourite album, film and novel?
Fanmail by TLC, Titanic and... while I can’t choose a favourite novel, Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart is brilliant and beautiful.What is your favourite joke (pre-watershed)?
Anything on a Penguin Biscuit wrapper.Who would be your dream dinner guests?
Esther Perel, Nicole Richie, Ncuti Gatwa, Naomi Campbell, and Sarah Snook.What advice would you give your younger self?
Your intuition is a superpower.What would it surprise people to know about you?
I’m a great-aunt! My sister recently became a grandmother, so I like to tell people I’m basically a grandmother too.What is your favourite place?
DELLI Market - the most amazing selection of condiments and spreads!Interested in joining the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Community of Practice?
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