Diversity, Equality & Inclusion (DEI)
Welcome to the Diversity, Equality & Inclusion (DEI) Community.
A Professional Community of Engineering Educators, Engineering Researchers, Engineering Education Researchers, Engineers and Engineering Policy-related fields.
The DEI Community is an open professional group for individuals and organisations interesting in promoting, developing and sharing best practice regarding the embedding of DEI in teaching, learning, research, organisational/institutional systems, processes, cultures and communities.
The aims of the Community are:
• Identify and engage with those who champion DEI (or those looking to get more involved) across UK institutions and fields related to engineering and engineering policy.
• Create a platform for sharing of best practice and connect with DEI interest groups in the UK and globally.
• Host events such as discussions, presentations and workshops that aim to inform and upskill professionals.
• Support the embedding of DEI principles and practice across UK institutions and promote its recognition in professional development.
• Create toolkits of resources that can be applied across institutions/organisations.
Dr Chika Nweke is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London (UCL) and carries out the roles of Departmental Tutor (Director of Studies), Departmental Director for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and oversees the Design & Professional Skills course in the Centre for Engineering Education (CEE), UCL. She is also responsible for the Bioprocess Validation and Quality by Design (QbD) undergraduate, MSc, doctoral and industry training courses. She completed her undergraduate and PhD degrees in the Department of Biochemical Engineering, UCL where her research focused on the mechanical performance of chromatographic adsorbents in collaboration with Eli Lilly & Co. In 2021 she obtained an MSc in Engineering Education, Institute of Education (IOE), UCL and since then has developed scholarship in the intersection of Engineering Education and EDI, publishing a number of papers in these areas.
Dr Irina Lazar is an Associate Professor in Engineering and Public Policy, and Director of Undergraduate Education at the Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP), University College London, where she is also the programme lead for the BSc Science and Engineering for Social Change. Before joining UCL, she was a Senior Lecturer in Dynamics and Control and the Faculty Education Director (Undergraduate) for Engineering at the University of Bristol, where she obtained her PhD in 2016 and worked at the interface between civil and mechanical engineering. Through her engineering work, Irina become acutely aware of the gap between technological advancement and its implementation on a large scale in society, and of the sometimes-narrow solution we propose for addressing complex issues. This realisation led to her decision to study public policy at the LSE (London School of Economics and Political Science) in 2021. Irina is involved in a multitude of research projects on designing an engineering curriculum that is fit for purpose in the 21st century. She works with partners from the GW4 Alliance and the Engineering Professors Council on embedding sustainability in engineering programmes. She also leads a project on Inclusive Engineering Education, looking at the impact of exclusionary experiences on access and attainment in higher education and, throughout her career, has led the design and implementation of multiple outreach and widening participation programmes.
Here you’ll find a list of our events related to the DEI Community of Special Interest.
- Webinar: Introducing the Inclusive Employability Toolkit and Launching the EPC’s DEI Community of Special Interest (September 2025)
- DEI Community Inaugural Lounge – EAN Congress 2024 (June 2024)
- EPC DEI Community of Special Interest + SEFI DEI SIG workshop event – SEFI 2024 (September 2024)
- EPC DEI Community of Special Interest Bi-annual meetings – Dates TBC
Here you’ll find a list of our articles related to the DEI Community of Special Interest.
- Five key takeaways from our Inclusive Employability Toolkit and DEI Community Launch Webinar (17th September 2025)
- Register your interest – DEI Community of Special Interest (9th September 2025)
Are you passionate about creating a more inclusive engineering sector?
Our DEI Community of Special Interest is a collaborative network of individuals and organisations committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across engineering education, research, and professional practice.
This community brings together engineering educators, researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners to share best practices, collaborate on initiatives, and make a tangible impact on the future of engineering.
We’ve already begun making strides with the launch of our DEI Community and the Inclusive Employability Toolkit during our webinar in September 2025. And now, we’d love for you to get involved.
Interested in contributing your expertise or learning more? For further details on how you can be part of this exciting initiative, and to register your interest, please click here. You’ll find more information on how to register your interest, what’s involved, and how you can help us make a difference.
Be the change you want to see in engineering – start here!