A new initiative, EDI Hub+, has been launched to bolster inclusivity within the UK’s engineering, physical, and mathematical sciences (EPMS) sectors. Led by Leeds and partnering with seven universities across the UK, this initiative aims to leverage collective knowledge and expertise to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across EPMS fields.

The EDI Hub+ will serve as a central point for sharing best practices and insights into diversity issues across the sector. By collaborating with individuals and organisations within and beyond the EPMS fields, the hub will provide leadership in identifying and tackling challenges unique to these areas. This effort is part of the broader three-year EDI action plan launched by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The initiative is driven by a strong interdisciplinary team of EDI champions with diverse and complementary expertise. The team includes leaders who will manage various aspects of the hub, such as the Flexible Fund, EDI maturity indices, stakeholder engagement, and policy support.

The hub’s approach is organised around three core themes:

1. Career pathways: Removing barriers to doctoral studies for underrepresented groups, offering inclusive support during key career transitions, and promoting diverse leadership within the field.
2. Research funding and processes: Exploring alternative methods for funding opportunities and peer review while seeking to reduce the burden on specific groups.
3. Organisational culture: Fostering more inclusive and accessible workplaces, cultivating inclusive leadership, and adopting equitable work-life balance practices.

The initiative aims to see equitable and inclusive processes become embedded and normalised in everyday practice, driving sustained transformation across the EPMS research and innovation community.

To find out more about the EDI hub+ please follow this link to the news article on the Leeds website.