Recognising the need to compete with more prestigious and better-resourced institutions, the Dean, Professor Tim Ibell, championed this innovative approach, focusing on making Bath a superior workplace.

Our collaboration was characterised by a close and productive partnership, led by Dr Despina Moschou, the Faculty’s EDI Lead, and Dr Stewart Eyres, EqualEngineers’ Education & Training Manager. Together, we endeavoured to mirror the lived experiences of staff and students within the faculty, bringing these insights to the forefront of departmental and university-wide strategies.

Throughout 2023, we embarked on a comprehensive development programme involving the entire professoriate at the university. This initiative explored the compelling case for fostering an inclusive research culture and delineated actionable strategies for effecting necessary changes. The programme focused not just on theoretical discussions but also on practical implementations that could transform the faculty’s approach to inclusivity.

This project ultimately positioned the Faculty of Engineering & Design at the University of Bath as a leader in embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion into the core of academic and research environments. By doing so, it highlighted the intrinsic value of an inclusive culture as central to the faculty’s identity and success.