Equality, diversity and inclusion
We believe diversity and inclusion are essential to scientific discovery. We are committed to ensuring all members of our community are able to thrive and contribute to world-leading research without barriers.
LMS staff have the benefit of being supported by the LMS directly, as well as Imperial College London and UKRI.
We draw on the expertise and advice of Imperial and UKRI to ensure all staff feel supported and that we continue to challenge any and all barriers to inclusion.
Find out more about how we are working to tackle barriers to inclusion, and what welfare provisions are available for our staff and students.
Our EDI strategy
Our work falls under the equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) strategy set out by UKRI, which has four main objectives:
1
Foster a world-class research and innovation system, ‘by everyone, for everyone’.
2
Include and support a diversity of people and ideas through our funding and partnerships.
3
Create a more inclusive and fair organisational culture, where everyone can contribute and participate, and feels valued and respected.
4
Advance and grow knowledge and capability to support a thriving research and innovation system by being a creative, evidence-based and evidence-informed organisation.
Our commitment to EDI
Gender
The LMS holds a joint departmental Athena Swan Silver Award with Imperial’s Faculty of Medicine, first obtained in 2017 and renewed in 2023.
LMS employees are also invited to join UKRI’s Women and Gender Equity (WaGE) Network formed to champion gender equity and women’s rights. It includes sub groups such as the Menopause Interest Group and all genders are invited to participate.
LGBTQ+
LMS employees are also invited to join UKRI’s Pride Network which has been created to provide a voice and community for LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies across UKRI.
Additionally, staff are also invited to sign up to be a member of the Imperial College London LGBTQ society, Imperial 600.
Race
LMS employees are also invited to join UKRI’s Racial Inclusion and Striving for Equity Network which has been set up to form a collaborative platform that supports Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic colleagues in UKRI to share thoughts, experiences, ideas and solutions and raises awareness to help all of us contribute towards a more inclusive workplace.
The LMS also undertakes work and collaborations with the MRC’s Black in Biomedical Research group, building a partnership with Professor Bernadine Idowu based at the University of West London with whom we have also set up an equipment sharing and disposal programme, benefitting researchers at Lagos State University in Nigeria.
Disability and neurodiversity
LMS employees are also invited to join UKRI’s Disability Matters and Carers Networks, which provide spaces for staff with lived experience of disability and allies, and staff with caring responsibilities to share information, socialise, support one another and have their voices heard.
Other UKRI networks from which LMS staff may benefit include:
• Early Careers
• Multifaith
• Parenting
Staff support and resources
LMS staff employed by the MRC can also access the MRC’s Employee Assistance Programme Health Assured, which is designed to help individuals cope with personal and professional problems that could be affecting their home life or work life, health and general wellbeing.
Workplace Health and Safety
Imperial’s Occupational Health Service is available to ensure all staff and students are able to work in a healthy and hazard-free environment. They provide specialist advice across a range of areas, including workplace wellbeing and health protection at work, as well as guidelines for working with animals, insects and pathogens.
Mental Health
Imperial recently launched its Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, outlining their goals for creating an inclusive, respectful and compassionate environment that supports students and staff.
There are a number of Wellbeing at Work courses available for staff including team leaders, researchers and academics, as well as the Student Support Zone for students.
Childcare
LMS staff can also access Work+Family Space, a specialist provider of family friendly employee benefits designed to give parents and carers the support they need.
It provides enhanced access to local childcare support and opportunities, school holiday cover, as well as webinars, expert advice, offers from educational partners and more.
Technical staff
The LMS is a signatory to the Technician Commitment, a sector-wide initiative which aims to address the particular career challenges faced by technical and scientific support staff.
Find out more about how we support our technical staff on our technician page.
Roving researcher
The pressure of an academic career can make taking parental leave daunting. Our roving researcher scheme enables scientists to keep momentum while taking long-term leave from the lab.
