This year Imperial's Beyond Ethnicity Career Conference (BECC) for Minority Ethnic staff and students will take place on Friday 26 September 2025 at Imperial's South Kensington Campus. This one-day event is open to everyone at early career stage including research staff, professional, technical and operational staff, and MSc and PhD students. 

You can now register your place for this exciting and free event.

 

Beyond Ethnicity Career Conference Programme (plain text)

Welcome to the Beyond Ethnicity Career Conference (BECC)

Our aim is to empower and equip individuals from minoritised groups early in their

careers, giving you the tools and skills required to thrive in the workplace and beyond.

This conference creates a space to discuss the structural barriers you feel may be

hindering your development, give practical and inspirational advice on how to overcome

them and facilitate meeting and networking with a group of like-minded peers.

We hope you have an illuminating and energising day with us.

The Beyond Ethnicity Career Conference Planning Team

 

Programme

Mezzanine, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus

9.00 Arrival and Registration- Mezzanine

9.30 Discussion: Exploring the Theme- Seminar rooms 120 and 121

Dr Wayne Mitchell, Associate Provost EDI, Imperial College

Dr Helal Ahmed, Senior Teaching Fellow, Early Career Researcher Institute, Imperial College London

Dr Sarah Essilfie-Quaye, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Research Fellow, Imperial College London

10.30 Break – Mezzanine

10.50 Keynote – Lecture Theatre G34

What’s the Fuss about EDI? – Gamiel Yafai MBE, Founder of Diversity Marketplace

12.20 Lunch – Mezzanine

13.20 Workshops – Seminar rooms 120 and 121

Connecting for Impact in a Mosaic World – Susan Popoola, Human Value Optimisation Specialist (Room 120)

Science’s Colonial Legacy: Reflecting on our Own Practices – Dr Nuzhat Tabassum, Science Communicator (Room 121)

14.20 Workshops – Seminar rooms 120 and 121

Workplace Adjustment: Calibre – A Case Study of Inclusive Practice – Gabriella Kerr-Gordon, Equality Advisor, Imperial College London (Room 120)

Building Confidence and Resilience to Overcome Imposter Syndrome – Faith Ruto, Motivational speaker (Room 121)

15.20 Break – Mezzanine

15.40 Navigating the Backlash for Positive Change – Panel session – Lecture Theatre G34

Chaired by Jessica Kitsell, EDI Co-ordinator, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London

Kani Kamara, Head of the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre, Imperial College London

Professor Mariko Okada, Provosts Visiting Professor of Systems Biology, Imperial College London

Professor Priscilla Reddy, Visiting Professor, Imperial Business School

Dr Shera Chok, Founder of the Shuri Network

16.40 Closing comment – Lecture Theatre G34

Dr Wayne Mitchel, Associate Provost EDI, Imperial College London

 

Audience

The conference is created for:

  • Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD students
  • Postdoctoral researchers
  • Early career professionals who have an interest in STEMM and business
  • Alumni are also very welcome to attend 

Organisers

The Conference is organised by Imperial As One, the Race Equality Network for Staff and Postgraduate Students at Imperial College London and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Centre.