Departmental EDI Groups
The Department has a number of EDI groups who meet regularly with the aim of promoting equality and creating a supportive working environment for all staff in the Department of Statistical Science.
The Departmental EDI Groups promote good practice across the department and strive to ensure a positive work/life balance for all staff and students.
The Department EDI Committee meets three times a year, overseeing Departmental EDI strategy and delivery. We aim to promote best practice in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion across the department and to ensure a positive and supportive environment for all staff and students. Our current members are:
Dr Niloufar Abourashchi Co-Chair
Cassie Wood Co-Chair
Dr Alex Donov Athena Swan Lead
Dr Alex Watson Outreach and Widening Participation Lead
Prof Gianluca Baio Head of Department and academic representative
Prof Ioanna Manolopoulou Academic representative
Stephanie Dickinson Professional Services representative
Hanna Boeck Professional Services representative
Matteo Pacini Secretary
Daniela McDonach Student Welfare Adviser
Dr Eileen Laffan Student Welfare Adviser
In 2015 the Department of Statistical Science was awarded the Athena Swan Bronze award, in 2020 it was successfully renewed, and in 2026 the Department was awarded Athena Swan Silver in recognition of its continued commitment to advancing women’s careers in STEMM in higher education and research, promoting gender equality and addressing challenges particular to the discipline.
The Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team (SAT) is responsible for the Department's Athena Swan application and is chaired by Dr Alex Donov. As part of its application process, the SAT is responsible for undertaking a thorough self-assessment in relation to gender equality, which includes the following activities:
- using quantitative and qualitative departmental data to identify both challenges and opportunities in relation to gender equality.
- evaluating and promoting relevant policies, practices and activities.
- responding to and addressing findings, establishing gender equality-based priority areas, and setting appropriate targets.
- developing and monitoring an action plan and assessing the implementation of set goals and targets.
The Departmental Members of SAT are:
Dr Alex Donov (Chair)
Agnes Somogyi (Secretary)
Dr Niloufar Abourashchi
Prof Gianluca Baio
Hanna Boeck
Dr Nuru Giritli
Dr Takoua Jendoubi
Prof Elinor Jones
Dr Baptiste Leurent
Dr Sam Livingstone
Prof Ioanna Manolopoulou
Daniela McDonach
Dr Owen Nicholas
Dr Menelaos Pavlou
Dr Matina Rassias
Dr Emma Simpson
Cassie Wood
The Departmental EDI Working Group meets bi-weekly during the academic year to discuss and plan initiatives to improve the student experience for our students and PhD researchers. Current members of the group are: