Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
In the CDT Data Intensive Science, we wish to foster a positive cultural climate where all our students and staff can flourish and feel valued for who they are as well as their contributions to the CDT.
We aim to create a fair, inclusive and harmonious environment where all CDT members can feel included in all aspects of the CDT and its activities.
To help us achieve this, we created a Code of Conduct for all students and staff to adhere to and to encourage respect amongst peers, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background and/or any physical or mental challenges one may suffer from.
In line with the UCL wide Equality, Diversity & Inclusion strategy 2015-2020, our CDT aims to:
- Increase the diversity of new cohorts, with particular focus on increasing female student uptake: in our advertisement for the 2019-20 cohort intake we encouraged applications from female applicants and applicants from all backgrounds covering ethnicity, disabilities and sexual orientation;
- Maintain/improve student retention and attainment (respectively). We have a duty of care to our students and are open to meeting on a 1-1 basis for any student who finds themselves struggling in their research studies. We would aim to create an action plan to help resolve issues and help students restore confidence to be able to participate as a member of the CDT.
As a fairly new CDT, we will develop best practice guidelines on increasing the diversity of students in new cohorts. We have achieved a 25% female representation, across the two cohorts, on the Staff-Student committee which meets once a term to discuss any feedback from students, ideas, issues etc.
We have also taken appropriate actions to avoid single gender panels in all recruitment activity. In February 2018 and February 2019, we have had a 50-50 gender balance on our interviewing panel.
We will continue to provide a programme of learning opportunities, seminars and workshops open to all students and staff and we will aim to engage more with female guest speakers and trainers to ensure a fair gender representation in our training offerings.