Equity, Diversity and Culture Committee

The membership of the Equality, Diversity and Culture committee is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the diversity across staff and students in the Department. We have a permanent membership (see current membership below) as well as an open and active visiting membership. Visiting members can include undergraduate students, postgraduate students, research staff, support staff, academics, visiting lecturers, representatives from Imperial staff/student societies or external groups, etc. 

Committee Membership:

• Prof Alessandra Russo, Chair of the EDCC
• Prof Julie McCann, previous Chair of the EDCC and Academic (research) representative
• Prof Francesca Toni, Academic (research) representative
• Dr Jackie Bell, EDI Lead and Engagement Officer
• Dr Rob Craven, Teaching Fellow and PGT Admissions representative
• Dr Amani El-Kholy, PhD Recruitment representative
• Dr Maria Valera Espina, Teaching Fellow and Senior Tutor representative
• Dr Lloyd Kamara, CSG representative
• Dr Ovidiu Serban, Research Fellow and RA representative
• Dr Orfeas Stefanos Thyfronitis Litos, Research Fellow and RA representative
• Dr Thomas Lancaster, Departmental Disability Officer and PGT Senior Tutor representative
• Dr Nicholas Wu, PGR Senior Tutor and Academic (teaching) representative
• Mr Emmanuel Akinrintoyo, PGR Student representative
• Ms Caroline Gilchrist, Departmental Wellbeing Advisor
• Ms Rituparna Saha, Admin and Non-Academic representative
• Ms Teresa Carbajo Garcia, Research Admin representative
• Ms Emilie Nogue, PGR Student representative
• Mr Jacob Bailey, DoCSoc representative
• Ms Dyuti Chakraborty, Women and Non-binary in Computing (WiC) representative
• Ms Maria Stoica, Women and Non-binary in Computing (WiC) representative

• External Advisor: as appropriate
• Internal Advisors: committee meetings will occasionally be attended by advisors from Imperial College such as the members of the equivalent committee at faculty level

Visiting Membership:

• Prof Michael Huth, Head of Department
• Dr Giuliano Casale, Visiting PGR and CDT Admissions representative​
• Prof Andrew Davison, RA Mentor

We are always looking to welcome new members to our committee. If you are interested in becoming a permanent or visiting member of the EDCC please contact us

• To actively engage students and staff with maintaining and developing a culture that supports a good work life balance that is supportive and respectful of all.
• To propose actions that address equality and diversity issues faced by the Department and make sure that these are implemented. 
• To act as a forum for the engagement of staff and students in issues related to equality and diversity and to disseminate relevant information when required.
• To identify and prioritise areas where improvement is needed, through monitoring of relevant quantitative and qualitative data.
• To identify and promote areas of good practice.
• To review, advise on and facilitate changes to policies, procedures and working practices, with the aim of upholding the Department’s overarching equality and diversity aspirations.
• To monitor and evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of policies, procedures and working practices set by the Department, the Faculty and the College, particularly regarding the Department’s overarching equality and diversity aspirations.
• To advise on publicity, events, marketing and recruitment material within the Department.
• To engage with other departments and institutions to share good practice.
• To drive the implementation of the Athena SWAN action plan.
• To report to the Faculty Equality, Diversity and Culture Committee and EDI Forum.
• To identify potential equity, diversity and departmental culture issues and to report these to the Departmental Management Committee.
• To develop and propose action plans, including outreach activities to balance the involvement of minorities in education and research in the department (including but not limited to: women, LGBTQIA+, cultural minorities, people of different religions, age, and disabilities).