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UCL PALS Shines at UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences EDI Awards

28 June 2023

Smiling UCL student with laptop and coffee cup

Members of the UCL PALS community have won awards at the recent UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences' inaugural EDI (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) Awards ceremony. PALS showcased its commitment to fostering an inclusive learning and working environment, earning recognition for outstanding contributions across various categories.

Professor Peter Fonagy, Head of UCL PALS, says:

"It is a particularly important time for the Division to show its comprehensive and consistent commitment to EDI. I am delighted by the richly deserved awards from the Faculty. It is a clear signal of PALS’ leadership in this area. We must integrate the ambitions for inclusivity and equity into the fabric of the Division along with its historic pursuit of teaching and research excellence."

The Division and Faculty have made large strides in establishing an environment that promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion, thanks to the unwavering dedication of staff and students. Their collective efforts have been channelled into mentoring programmes, career development initiatives, training initiatives to foster a positive culture, aligning research with EDI principles, exploring inclusive teaching practices, and celebrating the diverse community within the Faculty.

The Faculty EDI celebration event served as an opportunity to acknowledge, express gratitude, and extend congratulations to all individuals who have contributed to EDI at UCL.

Amidst a wealth of talent and expertise, the panel of judges faced the challenging task of identifying a remarkable shortlist of winners, ultimately recognising individuals who have demonstrated unparalleled excellence and made significant contributions to their respective fields.

PALS proudly celebrates three deserving winners who showcased exceptional dedication and achievements:

Stefanie Anyadi received the award for "Contribution to EDI in Leadership." Stefanie's outstanding leadership has inspired their team to actively promote diversity and challenge implicit biases through the Caleidoscope project. Their unwavering commitment to this initiative remained steadfast even amidst the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Stefanie's workshops and training methods have successfully shared their vision, inspiring not only the wider UCL community but also reaching audiences abroad at Utrecht University in the Netherlands.

Audrey Zhang was honoured in the "Contribution to EDI in Research" category. Audrey conducted a research project examining the "Effects of Personal and Contextual Factors on Status and Belongingness of First-year Undergraduate Students." Through questionnaires administered to Psychology students at multiple time points, Audrey discovered that mental well-being, extraversion, and openness positively contribute to students' sense of belonging. Audrey's research offers valuable insights to university administrators, aiding in improving student success and advancing EDI principles.

Georgia Pavlopoulou, Irina Nedelcu, and Ruth Moyse secured the accolade for "Contribution to EDI in Innovation and Enterprise." This team developed ground-breaking training curricula aimed at enhancing access to mental health support and recovery plans for autistic individuals. Their program's success in England and the South-East has led to a national rollout funded by NHS England, benefiting individuals of all ages across various settings. Their inclusive training modules address key topics surrounding neurodiversity and its impact on the workplace and postgraduate courses.

In addition to the winners, PALS boasted a notable presence among the finalists, highlighting their commitment to EDI:

John Draper, a finalist in the "Dean's Excellence in EDI Award" category, has made a notable impact on promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion at both PALS and Faculty levels. His participation in various EDI initiatives and exceptional leadership in the SPICE Time programme have garnered high praise for his dedication to advancing EDI at UCL.

Vitor Zimmerer, recognised in the "Contribution to Education and Student Experience" category, received acclaim for his work in evaluating a plan promoting inclusive teaching. Vitor's efforts to enhance inclusivity in the classroom raised awareness among staff members, leading to valuable insights for fostering an inclusive learning environment.

Katerina Fotopoulou, a finalist in the “Contribution to EDI in Research” category established the Centre for Equalities Research in Brain Sciences (The ERB Centre) at UCL. This Centre serves as a hub for researchers in Mental Health, Neuroscience, and EDI to come together to collaborate and access shared resources. The Centre has already provided funding for research projects and is poised for further growth in the future. Katerina's ongoing dedication to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion through various research initiatives is truly commendable.

Leslie Gutman, Fatima Younas, and Rachel Perowne were also finalists in the “Contribution to EDI in Research” category for their study on "UCL and EDI: Investigating Wellbeing During the Pandemic Period," which was exceptional in its aim to understand how the pandemic affected individuals' wellbeing at work. The team dedicated themselves to analysing data collected from a weekly wellbeing survey during the pandemic and conducting qualitative interviews to gain more detailed insights. Their findings shed light on the experiences of those who worked remotely or in a hybrid manner for UCL, which contributed to key institutional decision-making.

Sushrut Jadhav was a finalist in the "Contribution to EDI in International Community" category for being an impressive advocate for intercultural competency at UCL. Sushrut’s dedication to promoting diversity and understanding is evident through the amazing events he hosts, such as 'Addressing Racism in Clinic' and 'Decolonisation in Mental Health: Trainees' Perspectives'. He is also an active member of the Race Matters mailing group, where he continues to advocate for cultural competency in university contexts. Sushrut's efforts are truly credible and contribute to a more inclusive and understanding community at UCL.

UCL PALS takes immense pride in these achievements of staff members, recognising their significant impact in the Division, in the Faculty, at UCL, and beyond. As PALS continues to strive for progress, it remains grateful for the dedicated and inspiring staff and students who have already made a positive difference. Their contributions have paved the way for a more inclusive and equitable future at UCL and serve as a beacon of inspiration for others to follow.

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