EDI Committee

We are united in making a commitment to actively promote, celebrate and respect all staff and student individual differences and encourage a culture of inclusivity.

The Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, EDI Committee is committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. We are united in making a commitment to actively promote, celebrate and respect all staff and student individual differences and encourage a culture of inclusivity. We want all to feel comfortable in their workplace or environment of study without any fear of prejudice or discrimination against a person’s characteristics; race, sex, age, disability, gender identity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity.

Continuous self-assessment

Positive change cannot happen if we don’t know where we are and where we want to be. To know where we are, we are committed to constantly monitor our situation to ensure a culture of inclusivity. This includes having an updated picture of the composition and representation of minorities in our staff and student body, the attainment gap of our student cohorts, reasons for people leaving us and our recruitment processes, among others.

For case studies and advice from promoted professors / associated professors within EEE, please see:

Promotional success stories at EEE

Members of the EDI Committee

Prof John Mitchell - Head of Department
An inclusive and diverse academic environment is a critical element of any successful department. Such an environment ensures staff and students benefit from exposure to diverse perspectives, deepening critical thinking and broadening the understanding of global issues and solutions. It prepares students for working in a diverse world by fostering empathy, collaboration, and adaptability. As Head of Department, I am delighted to be able to support this work and ensure we strive for a department where everyone feels welcome and has access to the same support and opportunities.

Mr Andy O’Reilly - Departmental Manager

I am the Departmental Manager overseeing all Professional Services activity within the department. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in Higher Education is essential because it creates a space where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered and enriches all our learning by bringing in diverse voices, challenging biases, and preparing us all to contribute meaningfully to a more just and inclusive society. I think its important we all champion such an important cause.

Prof Sally Day - Head of Teaching
UCL is an institution made up of people from a wonderful range of backgrounds, interests and ways of being. It is vital to all of us that everyone is able to be themselves and flourish in an inclusive environment. I am Deputy Head of Department (Education) and this guiding principle of inclusion is core to how I fulfil this role.

Prof Neil Curson - Academic
I am the UCL Director of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Advanced Characterisation of Materials and the EEE department Careers Liaison. I lead a research group that develops atomic-scale fabrication processes for next-generation nanoelectronics and quantum technologies. I see the departmental EDI committee to be part of a wider effort within UCL to promote fairness and equality across the institution, and continuous open dialogue is vital in this regard.

Dr Lingxi Li - Research Fellow
I am a postdoctoral research fellow in Prof. Ioannis Papakonstantinou's group, working on the "Radiative Cooling Project" a potential solution to global warming of enhancing terrestrial heat flow to outer space through the installation of thermally-emissive surfaces on Earth that require zero energy consumption or pollution. As a member of EDI Committee, I would like to support an increase in the involvement of female PhD candidates who are pursuing research positions.

Rebecca Thomas - HR Officer
As Senior HR Administrator, I am passionate about fair and equal recruitment and promotion opportunities for all staff in the department. I also believe it’s important to take on feedback and hold the department accountable in areas where we can improve our EDI initiatives.

Wellbeing Champion - TBC

Dr Lalitha Ponnampalam - PDRA Research Fellow
I am a Senior Research Fellow within the Photonics Group. I represent the researchers within EEE and hope to see an increase in the number of PhD students from the under-represented communities taking up research positions.

PHD representatives: