Join us for this exciting event to hear from and network with four inspiring guest speakers, Professor Gavin Walker, Professor Sarah Sharples, Emma Hadfield-Hudson and Rachel Van Krimpen.

The event will also include some structured time to discuss writing strategies and challenges with other colleagues.

Bring your writing project with you if you are working on one at the moment and you can get some feedback from the speakers, as well as Research Development staff.

The workshop will be chaired by Dr Katy McKenzie, outline schedule below:

9.20am – Arrival/Refreshments
9.30am–10am Talk from Prof Gavin Walker and Discussion/Q&A
10.00am-10.20am Talk from Emma Hadfield-Hudson and Discussion/Q&A
10.20am-10.25am Video Presentation from Debra Fearnshaw
10.25am-12noon Writing time, EDI cards, support from Research Development teams
12noon-12.30pm Lunch
12.30pm-1pm Talk from Prof Sarah Sharples and Discussion/Q&A
1pm-1.30pm Talk from Rachel Van Krimpen and Discussion/Q&A
1.30pm-3pm Writing time, EDI cards, support from Research Development teams
3pm-3.30pm Coffee Break
3.30pm Reflect and review
4pm Close

The aim of the event is to help staff with writing about EDI when they are applying for funding and to help develop collegiality and support.

Each speaker will draw on their experiences and knowledge  of incorporating EDI into grant applications, and consider potential best practices.

We will create space for small group discussions on the insight and evidence we’ll hear and invite attendees to evaluate their own writing and think about possible steps they can take for strengthening the EDI elements of their applications.

Event Speakers

Prof Gavin Walker (Director, Sustainable Hydrogen CDT, Professor of Sustainable Energy) will talk about where EDI impacts through the life of a project and how should we incorporate EDI into a proposal, touching on the EDI plan he did for the Sustainable Hydrogen CDT as an example for discussion.

Prof Sarah Sharples (DfT Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor of Human Factors) will talk about her experience on EPSRC council, ESRC council and reviewing funding applications, followed by Q&A.

Emma Hadfield-Hudson (Research Inclusion Manager, National Institute for Health Care Research) will talk about useful EDI terminology to include in an application, how EDI differs from patient and public involvement and engagement? And tips to incorporate EDI in the Research Cycle – with an emphasis on conducting EIAs early on

Rachel Van Krimpen (Faculty Director of EDI and People (Science), Doctoral Training Partnership Manager) will talk about her experiences of recently reviewing the EDI sections of research proposals, focussing on the topic  of ‘Moving beyond EDI catchphrases to deliverable, meaningful action for change’.

Recorded presentation

Debra Fearnshaw (Research & Knowledge Exchange Strategic Delivery Manager) has recorded a short film to give an example of how you can use the ‘EDI cards’ developed for EPSRC Connected Everything project.
The cards will be available to use throughout the day, and are to support your discussions about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Throughout the day, Senior Research Development staff from Engineering and Science faculties will be around to support.

Refreshments and lunch will be provided by the Women’s Staff Network.