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Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

Promoting equitable treatment, championing diversity and developing an inclusive LSE

Professor Andrew Lewis-Pye is the Equality Officer for the Department of Mathematics. Professional Services Staff support departmental EDI initiatives, and the first point of contact is currently Joe Faulkner.

The School’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is one of its six strategic priorities, as highlighted in the LSE Strategy 2030, and ‘equality of respect and opportunity’ is one of the core principles set out in the School’s Ethics Code. The School's EDI Office acts to promote and further LSE’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion for all members of the School community. 

 Gender Equity in the Department of Mathematics

Mathematics is one of the 28 academic departments at LSE. The Department runs 3 undergraduate programmes, 3 taught master’s programmes and a PhD programme. Around two-thirds of all first-year, LSE undergraduates follow at least one of our courses.

Our department is unusual in being a STEMM department within a social sciences institution, where issues of gender inequality were previously not so visible. However, we have made great strides in trying to change this and although there is still much work to.do, we are delighted with what we have achieved so far. An example of the department's commitment to promoting gender equity can be seen with our recent Athena Swan application and the subsequent attainment of the Silver Award.

Examples of LSE's work

  • In 2017, LSE convened a self-assessment team to work towards the ECU’s Race Equality Charter Mark. The Race Equality Charter is focussed on improving the representation, progression and success of black and minority ethnic (BME) staff and students in Higher Education.
  • Athena Swan is a national charter mark – run by the Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) – that recognises the advancement of gender equality in higher education: representation, progression and success for all. The School has been awarded the institutional Athena Swan Bronze award. 
  • LSE also works closely with AccessAble to develop online access guides to all the School’s buildings, and route maps around campus.
  • 'Developing LSE for Everyone' is one of the 3 priorities of the LSE 2030 Strategy.
  • LSE launched the 'Making a choice' initiative to help collectively end sexual violence, bullying, harassment and hate crime.
  • Over the years, LSE has been recognised for its EDI work by outside organisations. For instance, in 2017, LSE was recognised as one of the top 30 employers for working families