We take pride in fostering a diverse and inclusive community where every member's contributions are valued and respected. Professor Xiao Yun Xu Co-Chair, Department of Chemical Engineering's EDC committee

We are committed to encouraging individuals from all backgrounds to apply to work and study within our department. Once here, we strive to ensure that everyone feels welcomed, supported, and empowered throughout their journey with us.

Current staff and students can find out more by visiting the intranet.

EDI

Recipients of the Athena SWAN Silver Award

We are honoured to have received the Athena SWAN Silver Award in 2024, acknowledging our drive towards embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion as core principles within our organisational ethos.

This recognition reflects our ongoing efforts to cultivate an inclusive culture that values and supports all individuals.

Achieving the Silver Award signifies that we have not only identified and addressed challenges related to gender equality but have also demonstrated measurable progress and impact through our action plans.

The Department of Chemical Engineering were first awarded an Athena SWAN Silver Award in 2009 in recognition of good practice towards the advancement of gender equality. Our award was renewed in 2014, 2018 and again in 2024.

The Athena SWAN Charter, established in 2005, serves as a framework to support and transform gender equality within higher education and research institutions.

Statement by Professor Omar Matar, Head of Department.  

Equality, Diversity and Culture (EDC) Committee

Our dedicated Equality, Diversity, and Culture (EDC) Committee actively cultivates a positive departmental culture and identifies opportunities to promote awareness of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across all levels.
Find out more about the Committee.

Neurodiversity project

Neurodiversity project
“Neurodiversity from the lens of neurodiverse university students” is a project led by Dr Vijesh Bhute from the Department of Chemical Engineering to learn about the journey of neurodiverse individuals through their lens, to understand how they experience day-to-day life as a university student.

About the project

  • 15% to 20% of the population exhibit some form of neurodiversity. Left undiagnosed, individuals can feel self­doubt, and lose their confidence as well as sense of belonging. This can especially impact university students.
  • While the diagnosis rates have been increasing in the past decade, there are still cultural and societal barriers which can stigmatise being neurodiverse.
  • A lack of awareness of what constitutes being neurodiverse and how people perceive neurodiverse individuals further compounds this issue.
  • Highlighting individual stories and experiences as well as providing a rounded view of people’s perception can raise awareness and potentially, destigmatise neurodiversity and encourage individuals to reflect, assess, and seek diagnosis.
  • You can find more about neurodiversity here: Types of Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence [2023 DEI Resources] | Diversity for Social Impact
  • We are seeking student participants from the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Chemistry, in the first instance. 

Aims of the project

  • This study is aimed to gather examples and experiences from neurodiverse university students (undergraduate, masters and PhD students) with a goal to raise awareness about various neurodiverse conditions and identify relevant resources and tools used by the students to navigate university.

Expected outcomes

  • Share journeys and experiences of neurodiverse university students
  • Identify key learning resources which can benefit neurodiverse students
  • Develop resources (avatars, storyboards, leaflets, bookmarks, etc.) to raise awareness among students and staff

Source of funding

Contact

Dr Vijesh Bhute, Project lead