Innovative Leeds-led EDI Hub+ to boost inclusivity in engineering and physical sciences
A new initiative has been launched to bolster inclusivity within the UK’s engineering, physical, and mathematical sciences (EPMS) sectors.
The EDI Hub+, led by Leeds and partnering with seven universities across the UK, will bring together the research and innovation community to leverage collective knowledge and expertise to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across EPMS fields.
This initiative will act as a central point for sharing best practices and insights into diversity issues across the sector. By collaborating with individuals and organisations within and beyond the EPMS fields, the hub will provide leadership in identifying and tackling challenges unique to these areas. The effort is part of the broader three-year EDI action plan launched by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
EDI Hub+ is the collective vision of Vania Dimitrova, Professor of Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence, and Louise Jennings, Professor of Medical Engineering. They will be joined by a strong interdisciplinary team of EDI champions with diverse and complementary expertise and a reputation of delivering change in the face of challenge.
The University of Leeds EDI Hub+ team also includes:
- Lisa Hill, Director of Newlands Coaching and Consulting, who will lead the Flexible Fund, and support the development of EDI maturity indices and the evaluation of the Hub;
- Lisa-Dionne Morris, Professor of Public & Industry Understanding of Capability Driven Design in the School of Mechanical Engineering, who is one of the Hub’s five national engagement champions;
- Dr Lee Mason, Research & Innovation Development Manager at the Faculty, who will provide stakeholder engagement support and project management advice; and
- Dr Bharat Pokhrel, Research Development Manager for the Faculty, who will offer support with policy engagement and linking with EPSRC.
Leeds' EDI champions, L-R top: Louise Jennings, Vania Dimitrova, Lisa Hill; L-R bottom: Lisa-Dionne Morris, Lee Mason, Bharat Pokhrel.
The hub’s approach is organised around three core themes:
- Career pathways: This includes removing barriers to doctoral studies for underrepresented groups, offering inclusive support during key career transitions, and promoting diverse leadership within the field.
- Research funding and processes: The hub will explore alternative methods for funding opportunities and peer review while seeking to reduce the burden on specific groups.
- Organisational culture: Efforts will be made to foster more inclusive and accessible workplaces, cultivate inclusive leadership, and adopt equitable work-life balance practices.
Diversity through collaboration
To achieve its goals, the EDI Hub+ will develop a range of activities and resources. This includes:
- Building a coordinated collaborative network across the UK, bringing together universities, businesses, and funders to exchange knowledge and co-create solutions for unmet diversity needs;
- Creating an interactive online resource that will provide evidence-based guidance on EDI interventions, highlighting what works and what doesn’t;
- Introducing “EDI maturity indices” to help tailor interventions to specific organisations’ needs;
- Piloting and scaling up successful interventions within the EPMS research community; and
- Establishing national-level guidelines, policies, and programs to advance diversity efforts.
Professor Jennings, of the School of Mechanical Engineering, said: “We’re passionate about this project as we feel the time is ripe to focus on evidence based sustained transformation across the engineering, physical and mathematical sciences research and innovation community.
“Our goal is to see equitable and inclusive processes become embedded and normalised in everyday practice. The level of interest we have received already from institutions wanting to get involved and partners keen to work with us on this, demonstrates that there is appetite for change and organisations are already engaging with the process.”
Professor Dimitrova, from the School of Computer Science, said: “Through the EDI Hub+, we will identify, nurture and co-create EDI interventions, and progress them towards sustainable implementation and widespread adoption. We believe that these interventions will lead to a fairer future, ensuring everyone, including those who are under-represented, is listened to, understood, and enabled to pursue their goals and succeed.”
The initiative will also be supported by a Flexible Fund to pilot, scale, and evaluate co-created interventions. Partnerships with universities, learned societies, industry, and international collaborators will play a key role in empowering individuals across the EPMS sectors.
Part of our mission at Leeds is to transform lives and shape a better future for our communities, and the EDI Hub+ promises to do just that.
By uniting diverse voices and promoting collaborative efforts, the EDI Hub+ aims to transform diversity and inclusion in the engineering, physical, and mathematical sciences.
Dr Kendi Guantai, the University’s Dean for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, praised the hard work that Vania and Louise put into the bid, and was excited to see the EDI+ Hub finally take shape.
She said: “Part of our mission at Leeds is to transform lives and shape a better future for our communities, and the EDI Hub+ promises to do just that. While it’s focused on EPMS, the hub has potential to have far-reaching implications for the University, our partners, and the wider sector.
“By having inclusion and structural transformation at its heart, I have no doubt the EDI Hub+ will make a remarkable difference, and I can’t wait to work with Vania, Louise and the rest of the team to make it a success.”
Professor Nora de Leeuw, Executive Dean for the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, said: “The EDI Hub+ is a game-changer for inclusivity. By uniting expertise from across the UK, it will drive meaningful change and empower diverse voices.
“I have no doubt that the leadership of Professors Dimitrova and Jennings, along with the support of their team and many more of the brightest minds in the UK, will ensure this initiative will pave the way for a more equitable future in research and innovation.”
Further information
- The seven universities partnering with Leeds for the EDI Hub+ are Aberystwyth University, Durham University, Heriot-Watt University, University of Bradford, University of Bristol, University of East Anglia, and University of York.
- Read the official announcement at the UKRI website.
- For further information, contact Faculty Communications Manager Matt Gardner via M.D.Gardner@leeds.ac.uk.
