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 takes inspiration from 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.
.
The LMS is currently developing its own EDI Action Plan, which we aim to launch at the end of 2025. We will be building on the commitments outlined in both Imperial and UKRI’s overarching EDI strategies to establish our own focused EDI objectives, which address our identity as a research institute in the heart of London.
Our commitment to EDI
Gender
Athena Swan
The Athena SWAN Charter is an awarding framework designed to promote gender equality in higher education and academia and address systemic barriers to inclusion globally. Whilst initially focussed on advancing gender equity, its principles and practices have supported the wider LMS community through the creation of policies and initiatives that champion all elements of diversity. Since the LMS’ adoption of the Athena SWAN Charter in 2013, the framework has profoundly influenced LMS culture by laying the foundation for a thriving ecosystem that prioritises wellbeing, innovation and inclusivity. Our commitment to these principles brings together individuals from all backgrounds and has created a diverse and empowered workforce that continues to drive science forward.
The LMS Athena SWAN Award
The LMS holds a joint departmental Athena SWAN Silver Award with Imperial’s Institute of Clinical Sciences, first obtained in 2017 and renewed in 2023. Our Athena SWAN work is centered on 3 key areas:
- Gender Equality in career development opportunities.
- Increasing support for all in order to increase support for women.
- Fostering a sense of community.
The LMS is also working with the MRC and UKRI to become a Menstruation Friendly and Menopause Friendly organisation.
Race
LMS employees can 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 collaborates with the MRC’s Black in Biomedical Research Advisory Group, which was formed to shape the delivery of the MRC’s work addressing the sustained underrepresentation of researchers from Black heritage backgrounds across the sector. We have built a strong partnership with its chair, Professor Bernadine Idowu at the University of West London, with whom we have set up an equipment sharing and disposal programme benefitting researchers at Lagos State University in Nigeria.
The LMS is excited to be partnering with the Black in Biomedical Research Advisory Group to launch the Emerging Innovators Fellowship- a three-year postdoctoral opportunity for Black heritage scientists coming in 2025.
LGBTQ+
The LMS is committed to creating a workplace culture that ensures LGBTQ+ staff and students feel welcomed and included.
The LMS holds regular programmes of activities in support of our LGBTQ+ community and allies.
Through UKRI, LMS employees are invited to join the pan-UKRI Pride Network, which has been created to provide a voice and a community for LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies across UKRI.
Additionally, staff are invited to sign up to Imperial’s LGBTQ+ society, Imperial 600, which exists to support the creation of an LGBTQ+ inclusive culture at Imperial.
Disability and neurodiversity
Through UKRI, the LMS is a Disability Confident Committed Employer. This scheme is an accreditation that identifies we meet specific commitments regarding the recruitment, employment, retention, and career development of people with a disability and/or long-term health condition.
The LMS has a series of resources to support staff and their line managers in the implementation of effective reasonable adjustments in the workplace. We are a member of the Business Disability Forum, which offers an advice line for managers on supporting colleagues with a disability or long-term health condition.
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.
