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GESG Chairs
Sara Mole (she/her) - Lead Chair
I am Professor of Molecular Cell Biology and Head of the Inborn Errors of Metabolic Section at UCL GOS Institute of Child Health where I lead research on inherited neurodegenerative disorders that affect children, especially Batten disease. Recognising the potential of the Athena Swan charter to address gender inequalities, I led my department to the first silver (2009) and gold (2016) awards at UCL, and UCL to its first institutional silver (2021).
As Envoy for Gender Equality, and Chair of the Gender Equality Steering Group, I am a critical friend to the organisation, champion progressing gender equality throughout UCL, and represent UCL in this area in the UK and internationally. For example, I am currently leading on a new project called Safer Space Conversations and am Chair for the Advance HE Athena Swan Advisory Group. For UCL to be recognised as an international leader in intersectional gender equality, I hope to inspire and support others to engage with our established and new gender equality initiatives.
Ifat Yasin - Co-Chair
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 data processes and strategies to improve our interpretation of gender-equality information, supporting evidence-based actions to improve equity in the workplace.
Mazal Oaknin - Co-Chair
I am Associate Professor (Teaching) in Spanish Language, Literature and Gender Studies at SELCS (School of European Languages, Culture and Society), where I am also a Spanish Language Coordinator and EDI Co-Lead. I have designed and delivered a variety of modules that seek to promote gender equality, such as Women's Writing in Spain, Cultural Minorities in Spanish Contemporary Literature and the UCL Summer School module "Introduction to Gender Studies". My research currently centres around EDI issues in Translation and Modern Language Education and I have recently published the co-edited volume Inclusion, Diversity and Innovation in Translation Education (UCL Press, 2024).
I have always worked closely with student collaborators and in the past couple of years I have launched different EDI initiatives such as "Tackling the BAME-BIPOC Awarding Gap in SELCS”, “Reverse Mentoring in SELCS”, “Decolonising Gender Studies in A&H Through Reverse Mentoring”, "Mi Salud Mental: Using Curriculum-Infusion to Promote Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing" and the podcast series "Socio-economic issues in Higher Education", which tackle gender inequality and other forms of discrimination from an intersectional lens. I am also an Access UCL Personal Tutor and have considerable experience in Widening Participation.
I am thrilled to join the GESG and look forward to working together to pursue our gender equality initiatives.
Sophie Scott - Co-Chair
I am the Director of the Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience and the Director for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences. I have been at UCL since 1998, and at the ICN since 2004, and have been involved in EDI and Athena Swan activities for most of this time. I am a strong believer in the importance of actions that can have positive effects on people’s experiences at UCL: unfair work practices will differentially affect marginalised groups in a negative way, while fair and equitable work practices will benefit everyone.
GESG Leads
Dimitra Stamogiannou - Athena Swan Lead
I joined UCL in 2014 and I am currently the Institute Manager for the Institute for Global Health. EDI work has always been a high priority for me and I have played a leading role in both an Athena Swan Bronze and Silver award.
I was Deputy Chair of the EDI Committee in the Department of Space and Climate Physics, I am currently Deputy Director of the Institute for Global Health’s EDI Executive Committee and I hold a number of other roles, such as a Mental Health First Aider and Dignity Advisor, a role which I have held for a number of years. I am really excited to be part of the GESG as I am keen to be at the forefront of change, provide support and embed good practice.
Anita Treso - Communications Lead
I am Operations Manager at the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction where I lead a team of administrators to support the department’s activities. My role covers, HR, EDI, Finance, Facilities, Health and Safety, Sustainability and anything else that requires operational expertise.
I attended the BSI launch of BS30416 Menstruation, menstrual health, and menopause in the workplace guidance last year, and applied the standard to our local toilet facilities. I am a vocal proponent for support and openness around peri-menopausal and menopausal issues and the very real impact this can have on an individual’s working life. There is still an awful lot of work to do around this area particularly in providing fit-for-purpose facilities at UCL.
I am a new member of the Gender Equality Steering Group and as Communications Lead, I would like to reach out to the wider UCL community to harness their experiences, stories, passions and expertise.
I believe feminist and gender theory can provide us with perspective and a sense of herstory/theirstory/history, but making things happen is what counts and I am looking forward to working with the group.
Temenuga Trifonova - Events Lead
I am Associate Professor in Creative Arts and Humanities and Moving Image Lead for the BACAH program in the Department of Arts and Sciences. My research and teaching interests are in the areas of European cinema, neoliberalism and cinema, representations of gender and race in cinema, film theory, aesthetic theory, history and theory of photography, and Continental philosophy.
I am a member of the UCL East Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Board and the Accessibility Champions Network. As GESG Events Lead, I hope to inspire colleagues from across UCL to contribute to our gender equality initiatives and challenge gender inequities from an intersectional perspective.
Mahendrini Ariyachandra - Knowledge and Learning Lead
I am a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) at the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction (BSSC) at UCL, where I lead research and teaching in digital construction technologies, with a particular focus on Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Digital Twins. My research explores innovative solutions for infrastructure development, with a special emphasis on how digital technologies can support the entire lifecycle of infrastructure, from design and construction to operation and maintenance.
As the Knowledge and Learning Lead for the Gender Equality Steering Group (GESG), I work to advance gender equality at UCL by identifying and evaluating relevant training opportunities for staff and students, ensuring that these initiatives meet the needs of the institution. I draw on my expertise in research, communication, and collaboration to curate and share training resources that address key gaps in UCL's gender equality efforts.
A passionate advocate for gender equality, I am also a RisingWISE Fellow at the Oxbridge programme for women in STEM. This reflects my commitment to supporting and empowering women in STEM fields. I am dedicated to creating inclusive and innovative environments and inspiring others to engage with and contribute to UCL's gender equality initiatives.
Clare Stovell - Research Liaison Lead
I am a Lecturer in the Sociology of Gender within the Thomas Coram Research Unit, at the IOE’s Social Research Institute. I am an interdisciplinary academic with a specific expertise in work-family intersections, social policy, motherhood and fatherhood. I am currently exploring couples' decision-making processes at the transition to parenthood around divisions of paid and unpaid work, and leading research with collaborators in the Netherlands investigating conceptualisations of part-time employment.
I have extensive experience of leading gender equality work, including as a work-package leader on the multi-million EU-funded ‘RESISTIRE’ research project, analysing the impact of COVID-19 policies on gendered inequalities in 32 countries. I was also a co-investigator on ‘Women in Science: UK-Brazil Gender Equality Partnership’ funded by the British Council, which supported the development of an Athena SWAN-inspired gender equality scheme among Brazilian partner universities. I work closely with the Oxford Network for European Fatherhood Researchers (ONEFaR) and have presented my work to key stakeholders within the Government Equality Office, Department for Work and Pensions, and Department for Business and Trade.
Lorren Rea - Policy Lead
I am Head of HR Employment Policy in the HR Division. My team oversee the review and creation of HR employment policies and procedures. We undertake extensive consultation across UCL around policies and procedures. We aim to raise awareness of equality in all of our work and aim to ensure that protected characteristics are not adversely impacted.
I hope to contribute to UCL’s work around sex equality and our ambition for Athena Swan awards.
Shing-Wai Wong - Community Engagement Lead
I am an accomplished business development and commercial partnerships leader in both direct sales and consultancy environments. I interact with experts, clients, consumers and networks globally.
I am currently the inaugural Director of Executive Education at UCL Global Business School for Health. In my role, I am responsible for the strategic direction, commercial development and operational infrastructure of Executive Education, including custom, open, online and hybrid delivery. I am a member of the School's SMT.
Previously, I spent over 10 years at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, where I directed commercial activity and client engagement for Executive Education.
In May 2019, I was appointed to the Advisory Board of WHEN: Women’s Higher Education Network, whose vision is to unite and develop women across the UK Higher Education sector. In an increasingly AI led world, I am driven by purpose-led organisations and I’m passionate about people development, the human qualities of leadership, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in leadership groups.
Elisa de Aragao Bibay (she/her) - Student Lead
I am a final-year Law student at UCL, with a particular interest in equality and inclusion, both within academic spaces and beyond. As Student Lead for Gender Equality, I aim to amplify student voices and foster meaningful collaboration between students and staff to advance gender equity at UCL.
My approach is informed by my experience as Women’s Officer for UCL’s Student Union, where I advocated for initiatives to enhance campus safety and well-being. Collaborating with key stakeholders, I worked on improving campus safety measures and increasing access to essential resources such as free hygiene products. I am particularly passionate about addressing intersectional issues, ensuring that policies and initiatives not only advance gender equality but are also inclusive of diverse experiences and identities, making everyone feel valued and respected.
My role with the Gender Equality Steering Group reflects my passion for advocating intersectional gender equality and empowering students through systemic change. I believe in creating inclusive, sustainable policies that positively impact the university community.
Victoria Showunmi - Intersectional Lead
I am Vice Dean (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) and Associate Professor at University College London in the Faculty of Institute of Education. BERA Academic Citizen Award 2023: https://www.bera.ac.uk/award/2023-bera-academic-citizen-of-the-year
My interests are gender, identity, and race through the lens of intersectionality, focusing on leadership and the lived experience of Black women and girls. I develop fresh conceptual frameworks focusing on equity and social justice, especially the interplay between people and the sophistication of behaviours which lead to disengagement with the promotion of equality. My work shows how culture and cultural background have the potential to disrupt power structures and lead to transformational change.
I have an international profile based on the dissemination of my research through publication and teaching. My scholarly work is acclaimed nationally and internationally.
I am a member of the Gender and Education Executive, Past Conference Chair for British Educational Leadership Management and Administration Society, Chair of the International studies SIG, American Educational Research Association, and co-convenor, Gender Network, European Educational Research Association. I am on the editorial board of Bloomsbury Educational Leadership: Innovative Critical and Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Transforming Education through ‘Critical Educational Leadership, Policy and Practice’ (Emerald) as well as assistant editor for the International Journal of Leadership in Education.
Simona Aimar - International Lead
Lecturer, UCL Philosophy
Vice Dean (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) for the Faculty of Arts & Humanities