Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee meets every two months and contains representation from our students and all staff job families. As EDI Co-Directors, Ingrid, Charlotte, and David also sit on the Department Management Committee to ensure diversity and inclusion are at the heart of all departmental decision-making.

The minutes from our EDI Committee meetings can be found on our Intranet (accessible only to members of the Department).

EDI Co-Directors

  • Charlotte Sutherell

    Personal details

    Charlotte Sutherell EDI Co-Director and Principle Teaching Fellow

    Bio

    I am currently the Departmental Disabilities Officer. I am delighted to be part of the EDI committee, and I particularly focus on embedding inclusive practice in our teaching and in our working environment.  

  • David Ayuso

    Personal details

    David Ayuso EDI Co-Director and Associate Professor

    Bio

    As a gay and neurodivergent academic, I am fully committed to fostering safe, inclusive, and accessible spaces for all. I contribute to departmental efforts and strategic initiatives aimed at building a positive culture for students and staff.

  • Ingrid Temmerman

    Personal details

    Ingrid Temmerman EDI Co-Director and EA to Head of Department

    Bio

    I champion women's rights and oversee the Department’s EDI administration, staff training and events, and support student and staff access to the nursing and prayer rooms at MSRH. I am based in G04 at MSRH.

EDI Committee Members

  • Oscar Ces

    Personal details

    Oscar Ces Professor in Chemical Biology

    Bio

    I am a Professor in Chemical Biology. I am extremely proud of the great strides the Department has made with respect to EDI and ensuring we provide a welcoming and supportive environment for our community. I am very committed to ensuring we do everything we can to maintain the special environment we have in Chemistry, as well as continuing to address new challenges and opportunities.

  • Emma Pallett

    Personal details

    Emma Pallett Manager of the CDT in Chemical Biology

    Bio

    I was immediately attracted to becoming a member of the Department of Chemistry’s EDI committee; the Department is hugely progressive in supporting all of its staff, championing initiatives on a wide range of issues and seeking to ensure that we attract the best staff and students from a diverse range of backgrounds. I am grateful to be a part of the Department of Chemistry’s EDI committee, to lend my voice to these important issues and to support the Department where I can through the ICB EPSRC CDT.

  • Mike Ray

    Personal details

    Mike Ray Head of Research Student Training

    Bio

    I am very proud to be a part of the EDI committee in the Department of Chemistry. I feel very strongly that we all need to be doing more to encourage diversity in the department and across Imperial, as well as supporting both staff and students to achieve their goals and to do so in a caring and creative environment.

  • Raj Sandhu

    Personal details

    Raj Sandhu Undergraduate Education Manager

    Bio

    I have worked in the area of admissions for over 10 years. I have recently taken on an increased role in Outreach and am really keen to diversify our admissions recruitment. I am excited to contribute to the EDI committee and am looking forward to the positive changes we can bring to the Department.

  • Aryan Jeilani

    Personal details

    Aryan Jeilani Undergraduate Student Rep

    Bio

    I am passionate about exploring the intersection of chemistry, equity, and advocacy. I'm committed to making chemistry more inclusive by challenging barriers to access, supporting underrepresented voices, and developing outreach that reflects diverse experiences. I'm really excited to be a part of a team dedicated to strengthening the sense of community within the Chemistry Department!

  • Nikkie Deans

    Personal details

    Nikkie Deans PhD Student

    Bio

    I am excited to convey the postgraduate student perspective on EDI topics within the department. I am also on the Imperial Women’s PhD Network committee and hope to connect the goals of these groups to improve the experience for women in the department. In addition, I hope to engage with initiatives to support students from minoritised racial and ethnic backgrounds.

  • Louise Walport

    Personal details

    Louise Walport Associate Professor in Chemistry and Group Leader at The Francis Crick Institute

    Bio

    Over the last few years I’ve seen from the outside the excellent initiatives the EDI committee has been driving to make Imperial Chemistry an equitable and inclusive place to work. There is always more work to be done, however, and I’m excited now to be able to contribute to the committee’s efforts to ensure that everyone in our diverse community feels welcome and supported so they can thrive.

  • Andy Stannard

    Personal details

    Andy Stannard Research Associate in Experimental Biophysics and DNA Nanote

    Bio

    The Department’s dedication to EDI is inspiring and I’m grateful to work in such a welcoming environment. I strive to learn, embed, and teach inclusive adaptations, with particular keenness to accommodate for neurodivergence. In addition, as a former secondary school teacher of pupils from backgrounds of low university participation, I’m a strong advocate for social mobility initiatives and their benefits.

  • Gregor Ekart

    Personal details

    Gregor Ekart Department Waste Manager

    Bio

    I represent the technical services team at the EDI committee. As a member of the LGBT community, a mental health first aider, and a former sub-warden, my aspiration is to ensure that all members of the Imperial community feel that they can work in an open and supportive environment, giving both students and staff the resources to excel in their positions without fear of prejudice.