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A number of Vice-Deans of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion have recently been appointed in faculties across UCL.
Professor Rebecca Jennings
Vice Dean (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)
Social and Historical Sciences
I am an Associate Professor in Modern Gender History in the History Department. My research focuses on twentieth century lesbian history, and I teach modern histories of gender and sexuality more broadly, so issues of equality and diversity have always been central to my academic work.
Since I joined UCL in 2016, I have been involved in EDI work at a local and central level, as Inclusion Lead in my department, a Dignity Adviser, and a member of the LGBTQ+ Equalities Steering Group. In January 2023, I took on the role of Vice Dean EDI in SHS. Our EDI work in SHS is currently organised around a number of priorities: promoting a sense of belonging and value for all students and staff, building student networks and hosting events for minoritized staff; tackling the BAME Awarding Gap, through our Writing History Plus project and other initiatives; developing simpler and more effective ways to communicate EDI initiatives and ideas; promoting Widening Participation through our summer school; collaborating with students to tackle sexual harassment by raising awareness of appropriate behaviour and the support available for those who experience sexual misconduct; and identifying and addressing barriers encountered at UCL by disabled and neurodivergent staff and students.
Professor Nick Achilleos
Vice Dean (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)
Maths and Physical Sciences
My area of research concerns the plasma environments of giant planets such as Jupiter and Saturn. In April 2023, the next mission to Jupiter's magnetosphere, JUICE (JUpiter ICy moon Explorer) will launch. It will arrive at Jupiter in 2031, but many of us in the JUICE science and planning community are already thinking about how to make predictions of what the spacecraft can expect to detect.
On the EDI side, the MAPS EDI Committee have been formulating a set of priority goals for the coming five years or so, you can now view them on the UCL web pages. They broadly fall into the six categories of ‘Converse’ (conversations around structural barriers to respect, inclusion and progression); ‘Embed’ (centring good EDI practice in all areas of work); ‘Improve’ (improve diversity of, and sense of belonging within, the workplace); ‘Student Experience’ (improve and address the awarding/progression gaps associated with, e.g., gender, ethnicity); ‘Gather’ (promote collective responsibility in creating the kind of work environment we want); ‘Share’ (share and reward best practice across departments).
Dr Lucinda Miller
Vice Dean (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)
Laws
Dr Nephtali Marina-Gonzalez
Vice Dean (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)
Medical Sciences
I am a cardiovascular neuroscientist and Associate Professor of Teaching in the Faculty of Medical Sciences. As Academic Lead in the integrated Medical Sciences programmes, I put special emphasis on promoting an inclusive academic environment where students feel supported and valued and I also provide guidance on a range of practical teaching approaches to support course teams in fostering belonging and creating a more inclusive curriculum to enhance the student learning experience. I am also a passionate and experienced mentor who enjoys empowering colleagues and students to achieve their goals.
I am delighted to proactively embrace and promote the race equality agenda in the Faculty of Medical Sciences and I’m looking forward to working with such a talented and dedicated team of EDI colleagues in UCL.
Dr Jon Clayden
Vice Dean (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)
Population Health Sciences
I am Associate Professor of Neuroimaging and Biophysics at the UCL GOS Institute of Child Health. My research interests focus on the use of neuroimaging to elucidate properties of brain connectivity during development, in response to the environment (for example, the language environment of bilingual children) and concomitantly with disease. I also work on imaging methodology to support clinical interventions such as neurosurgery.
I have been working in various EDI roles since 2015. During that I time I have aimed to raise awareness and develop, implement and support evidence-based actions to improve the diversity, equity and inclusiveness of our working environment. I’ve worked with many colleagues, including students, early-career researchers, professional services staff and senior management, to help ensure that everyone feels supported and able to work, study and interact in a way that works for them. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to continue to do so at faculty level.
Professor Ifat Yasin
Vice Dean (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)
Engineering Sciences
I am Professor of Auditory Perception and Audio Technologies in the Department of Computer Science.
I have been involved in gender-equality initiatives at UCL, first through my membership of UCL’s 50:50 Committee, and then later through membership of the Athena Swan Committee within my Department. I Co-Chaired the Athena Swan Committee to achieve a Silver renewal award, and then Chaired the Committee to achieve a Gold Athena Swan award. I have a special interest in intersectionalities, and themes that cut across the common categories of EDI.
Sara Shafiei
Vice Dean (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)
The Bartlett
I am an Associate Professor (teaching) at the School of Architecture, and delighted to have been appointed in this role of Vice Dean (EDI). I have been at UCL since 2011, and throughout this time I have taken on various teaching and enabling roles within the faculty and externally, and have understood first-hand the challenges facing our student and staff body.
I am deeply aware of the scale of the challenge before us. I am truly motivated to build on the hard work of so many to collectively influence organizational and cultural changes that are bold, brave, ambitious and most importantly sustainable to benefit current and future generations.
I look forward to working alongside the Vice-Deans EDI and colleagues across the faculty to learn and share experiences that allow us to implement changes that are directly applicable to each and every one of us.
Dr Simona Aimar
Vice Dean (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)
Arts & Humanities
Professor Robertus A.M. de Bruin
Vice Dean (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)
Life Sciences
I am a father of four and a Professor of Molecular Cancer Biology at the Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology (LMCB). Since I joined University College London (UCL) in 2009 I have been active in efforts to promote Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at different levels. Firstly, as a co-chair of the MRC LMCB EDI committee, secondly as a member and co-chair of the UCL 50:50 committee and also as a member of the Faculty of Life Sciences EDI committee.
The most important thing I learned promoting EDI is that addressing the wide range of issues that contribute to inequality requires a cultural change. Driving a cultural change needs a long-term structured and practical approach, which we have implemented at the LMCB. The recent renewal of our Athena Swan Gold award is a recognition of this for promoting gender equality. Importantly, a similar approach can be used to drive cultural change to address any inequality and therefore promote equality, diversity and inclusion. My vision for the Vice-Dean (EDI) Faculty of Life Sciences (FLS) role builds on the same belief: a long-term structured and practical approach is necessary for bringing about cultural and systemic changes.
I believe that there is real momentum to ensure we will achieve significant gains toward EDI in the near future, which will benefit current and future generations and am determined for UCL and the FLS to lead on these efforts. Our aim is to assemble those at the FLS that are willing to lead on actions promoting Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and to increase the visibility of our efforts within the faculty to share good practice and drive a cultural change.
Professor Leslie Gutman
Vice Dean (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)
Brain Sciences
I am Professor of Applied Development and Health Psychology and Programme Director of the MSc Behaviour Change, as well as a key member of the Centre for Behaviour Change.
From 2022-2024, I was the Faculty Lead of the BAME Awarding Gap Project, Faculty of Brain Sciences (FBS). During that time, I collaborated with staff and students on new initiatives, such as our BAME in PALS Departmental Society, and led projects to understand the awarding gap in module assessments, which highlighted students’ voices and their strategies for change.
I look forward to working with colleagues and students in FBS and alongside other EDI Vice Deans in this role. In FBS, we have a strong commitment to EDI, with outstanding initiatives happening across our faculty. I am committed to building upon our previous successes and using evidence-based strategies to enable a more diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for our staff and students.
Dr Victoria Showunmi
Vice Dean (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)
UCL Institute of Education