Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in STEM Workshop and Networking Event 2024

On the 15th November 2024 we will host our first Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) event, with the goal of bringing together EDI representatives from across the UK to create a network of critical friends who can collaborate and support one another in advancing EDI within our communities.

We aim to create a collaborative space for discussing actionable strategies, sharing knowledge, and exchanging best practices to drive meaningful change across the STEM landscape.

The day will feature a combination of keynote speakers, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities.

Key topics addressed will include:

• Understanding experiences and lessons learned from other departments and schools when implementing actions to improve EDI. and applying for Athena Swan.

• Building a network of critical friends.

• Applying for a joint research project focused on collecting and analysing intersectional data from existing open data sources and a network of partners to track the impact of specific interventions.

The event will conclude with a networking session where attendees can connect with peers, share experiences, and foster collaboration within the Computer Science EDI community.

All keynotes will also be streamed as webinars to ensure that those unable to attend in person can still benefit from the talks and contribute to building our community.

Speakers

Catherine Gill, MBA 

Catherine Gill is the Executive Director at Northeastern University’s Center for Inclusive Computing (CIC), leading strategy and partnerships to promote equitable access to computing degrees through systemic change. Prior to her role at CIC, she held positions in strategic partnerships at Northeastern and as Executive VP at Root Capital, supporting women in agriculture. Catherine is also a lecturer at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, teaching social enterprise strategy. She holds an MBA from IESE in Barcelona and is involved in multiple initiatives advancing social change.

Professor Caroline Dessent

Caroline Dessent is Head of Department and a Professor of Physical and Analytical Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at York (@ChemistryatYork). Her research group (@DessentLab) works on photoactive molecules and ensembles, with applications in biological systems and human health. She was previously the Chair of the Equality and Diversity Group in Chemistry (2017-2021), where she led all of the equality, diversity and inclusion work conducted by the department, including lead the Chemistry Department’s successful 2019 Gold Athena Swan award.  She has combined her scientific career with raising three children (James, Grace and Kitty), and worked part time between 2009 and 2020.  

Caroline has been a passionate advocate for the careers of women in science for many years, but has more recently focused on working to improve the participation of minoritzed ethnic scientists in Academia. She established work at York to Decolonize the Chemistry Curriculum, and runs an RSC funded projects to investigate the lived experienced of minoritized Chemistry students and staff.

Dr. Matthew Grech-Sollars

Dr. Matthew Grech-Sollars is an Associate Professor in Quantitative Neuroradiology at University College London and a Clinical Scientist. He holds a PhD in Medical Physics from UCL and has worked extensively in the field of MRI physics. Matthew is the chair of UCL’s Athena Swan Committee for Computer Science, which achieved the first-ever Gold Award for a UK department. His work has centered on improving diversity and inclusion within the STEM field.

Dr. Daniela Tresoldi – EPSRC, UKRI

Research Portfolio Manager in the ICT theme at EPSRC.

Remit: Fundamental of computing

Responsibilities: Early Career Network contact, People (Students/Fellowships) support, ED&I contact and SAT convenor.

Daniela joined EPSRC in September 2023.

Daniela has a PhD in astrophysics and has worked at the National Instituto for Astrophysics (INAF) in Italy for 12 years.

Schedule of the Day