Highlights from the UCL Centre for Equality Research in Brain Sciences Annual Seminar

The annual seminar kicked off with Prof. Aikaterini Fotopoulou, Director of the ERB Centre, celebrating the centre’s achievements since its launch in April 2023. She highlighted the funding of 11 projects and the critical role of embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in research to benefit higher education and society. 

Dr. Natalie Marchant, Inclusive Research Sampling Lead, followed with insights on the importance of representative participant inclusion in Dementia research. Post-lunch, Dr. Leslie Gutman discussed workplace wellbeing during the pandemic, emphasising EDI practices in mental health support.

Professor Anna Cox and collaborator Alex Tcherdakoff presented on the challenges of UCL’s digital systems for students with ADHD and autism, highlighting sensory overload and complex workflows.

Patrizia Pezzoli addressed the lack of diversity in mental health research among journal editors, calling for practical actions to enhance inclusivity.

Rachel Rees shared findings on attainment inequalities faced by ethnic minority students in speech and language therapy programs, stressing the need for inclusive initiatives and clearer processes for reporting racism.

Dwaynica Greaves discussed a project on EDI in neuroimaging, aiming to make research more inclusive by identifying barriers and proposing solutions. 

Jo Cammack and Rashmi Mathew are investigating differences in the lived experience of White and global majority Early Career Researchers, and the potential impact on academic progress and wellbeing.

Audrey Zhang explored the university experience of marginalised students, with a view to informing policy to foster inclusive university environments.

Anna Volkmer and Kerry Dathan explored access barriers for diverse populations with rare forms of dementia, aiming to improve diagnosis and support through cultural understanding and awareness. 

Dr. Lisa Quadt, keynote speaker, presented novel findings on neurodivergent wellbeing, linking neurodevelopmental conditions with higher rates of musculoskeletal pain and joint hypermobility, emphasizing the need for early detection and support.

Angelika Zarkali presented work focussed on increasing Black African participation in Parkinson’s research 

The seminar concluded with heartfelt thanks to Anna Cox, Vice Dean for EDI, for her contributions as she passes the torch to Leslie Gutman. The event ended on a high note, with a look forward to more groundbreaking research and initiatives from the ERB Centre. For more information or to get involved, visit the ERB webpage.

Till next time!