Join us for the Faculty of Natural Sciences Social Mobility Week, a 5-day series of events on w/c 27th October celebrating and exploring Social Mobility at Imperial and beyond.
Organised within the Faculty of Natural Sciences (FoNS) but open to all staff and students across Imperial, this initiative aims to bring together a range of events designed to celebrate, explore and promote social mobility within our community.
You can register to attend Social Mobility Week here.
Tuesday 28th October | How To Network
12:00 – 13:00, Rodric Hill Building, Room 422
Want to make valuable connections during and beyond social mobility week but not sure where to start? Join our interactive How to Network session and learn practical tips to build meaningful professional relationships. Whether you’re preparing for internships, graduate jobs, or simply exploring different career options, this workshop will give you the confidence and tools to network effectively.
Tuesday 28th October | Student Professional Headshots
TBC, Rodric Hill Building, Room 414
As part of Social Mobility Week, we’re offering free professional headshot sessions for any student (undergraduate and postgraduate) who signs up for an event during the week. You can get a high-quality headshot that you can use on LinkedIn, CVs or professional profiles.
Slots are first come, first served so sign up early to secure your spot!
Wednesday 29th October | Keynote with Professor Lee Elliot Major: The Rise and Unravelling of Meritocratic Elites
13:30 – 14:30, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Lecture Theatre G16
The early 21st century is marked by the rise of detached and persistent ‘meritocratic’ elites across the world, in an era of increasing absolute downward social mobility overall. Amid populist and polarised political debates, what can we do to equalise opportunities when just living a decent life, let alone climbing the social ladder, is becoming an impossible dream for so many people?
Lee Elliot Major OBE FAcSS is Britain’s first Professor of Social Mobility, based at the University of Exeter. He advises education, government and corporate leaders across the world on enabling people from all socio-economic backgrounds to flourish in life whatever path they choose. This includes serving on the Wales Government’s Ministerial schools expert advisory group. He was formerly CEO of the Sutton Trust, the UK’s leading social mobility foundation.
His award-winning books include Social Mobility and Its Enemies and Equity in Education. Lee lived on his own from age 15 and was first in his family to go to university. He studied at Imperial College in 1993-1994 for the MSc Science Communication. He was awarded an OBE for services to social mobility.
Wednesday 29th October | A Conversation on Social Mobility at Imperial
14:30 – 15:30, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Lecture Theatre G16
Join us for a panel discussion bringing together staff, students, and alumni to celebrate the diverse journeys of social mobility and inclusion at Imperial and beyond. Panelists will share their lived experiences, reflect on how their backgrounds have shaped their paths, and discuss ways the Imperial community can continue to create opportunities for everyone to thrive.
Panelists:
- Bernadette Byrne, Associate Dean for EDI, Faculty of Natural Sciences
- Jessica Popplewell, Careers Consultant, Careers Service
- Jack Supple, Research Associate, Department of Bioengineering
- Atyab Mohammed, Undergraduate Student, Department of Physics
The session will include a Q&A, giving attendees the chance to engage with panelists and contribute to this important conversation.
Wednesday 29th October | Community Cafe
15:30 - 17:00, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Lower Foyer
After the keynote and panel discussion, join us for a relaxed Community Café – a welcoming space to keep the conversation going. Enjoy food and drinks while meeting fellow students, staff, and alumni in an informal setting. This is a chance to connect with others interested in social mobility, share reflections from the keynote and panel, discuss ideas for making Imperial an even more inclusive place, and build community in a safe and supportive environment. Whether you want to continue the discussion, ask follow-up questions, or simply meet new people, this session offers a friendly and open space to do so.
Thursday 30th October | 93% Club: It's not imposter syndrome - it's self limiting belief. Reframing the conversation with The 93% Club
17:00 - 19:00, Skempton Building
The 93% Club is a community proud of its educational background and built on the principle that state-educated people should have the same unrestricted access to the networks of support, knowledge and influence that have historically benefitted their privately-educated peers.
Self-limiting beliefs can quietly shape the way we see ourselves and the opportunities we go after. In this session, The 93% Club reframes the conversation by sharing real stories from members about challenges they’ve faced and how they overcame them. You’ll take part in practical exercises, including creating a confident elevator pitch and building a supportive network, and leave with actionable strategies to break through self-doubt and step into your potential. A Q&A at the end gives space for reflection, connection, and advice you can use right away.