Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing
Overview
At the IMS we aspire to be a place where everyone feels welcome, included, safe and heard. We aim to celebrate diversity, raise awareness of issues faced by under-represented groups and ensure that everyone knows where to find support.
We work hard to foster a culture where mental wellbeing and work-life balance are encouraged and valued. We believe that the diversity among our staff and students is one of our greatest strengths. For this reason, we are always aspiring to attract and retain a diverse group of staff and students.
We want to enable all our staff and students to contribute their best work to the Institute. Through regular discussion and engagement with people in our department we strive to put in place procedures that remove barriers to opportunity, support personal development and stimulate fair career progression. We firmly believe that supporting people to be happier and feel valued at work ultimately improves the quality of our research.
We want our research to benefit the widest possible range of people so we encourage inclusive experimental design, attempt to remove barriers to access and work to understand a variety of perspectives by engaging with a diverse group of patient and public groups. These activities are supported by our dedicated Public Engagement and Patient Involvement coordinator.
It is the responsibility of all staff and students to promote a culture of respect and inclusion and to help implement policies that support diversity and equity, including Cambridge University’s equal opportunities policy.
Specific Aims
Our volunteer Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Committee has the firm support of the IMS-MRL Directorship and senior leaders and represents all staff and students to fulfil the following aims:
- To promote equality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing (EDI&W) at the IMS-MRL. To raise awareness of and foster constructive discussions around issues facing under-represented groups in science and in the workplace and to challenge pre-conceptions.
- To monitor and evaluate the department’s culture around EDI&W in an open and transparent manner, with particular regard to protected characteristics*, e.g. by gathering data including diversity in our workforce, staff and student views and recommending positive action to improve equity based on evidence.
- To be a first point of contact for staff and students to go to with queries, concerns, suggestions or complaints related to EDI&W. To provide a non-judgemental and confidential ear in matters including mental wellbeing, fairness and inappropriate behaviour. To signpost staff to appropriate support within the university or beyond.
- To hold events, produce reports, and undertake other activities that increase wellbeing and celebrate diversity in the IMS
- To represent IMS-MRL staff and students to the Management Committee and the Clinical School Diversity Champion network.
*UK ‘protected characteristics’ under the 2010 Equality Act are: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
Our departmental champions:
Equality
|
Agnes Lukasik |
Laura Dearden |
Miguel Constancia |
|
Thomas Brown |
Maria Chondronikola |
Wellbeing
|
Agnes Lukasik |
Laura Dearden |
Dinesh Shah |
