Wrap-up of CEMPOWER EDI Events in 2023

BySarah Lewis

Wrap-up of CEMPOWER EDI Events in 2023

This year we saw a host of fantastic events put on by our inspiring staff and students. Here is a wrap-up of some of the main events in 2023.

International Women’s Day

To celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Media held a panel discussion event hosted by Marie Bassford, Interim Head of School ESD Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Media. This all-female panel of alumni, staff and students came together to discuss this year’s International Women’s Day theme, #Embrace Equity. They shared their own personal experiences and views on embracing equity in computing, engineering and media careers and how we can work towards creating more diversity, inclusivity and equitable outcomes.

The panel included:

  • Dr Indrani Lahiri, Senior Lecturer in Public Relations
  • Aminata Kamara, BBC Radio Presenter (MA Drama)
  • Lubna Khan, Data Scientist at RM Plc (MSc Data Analytics)
  • Rachael Robinson, Senior Software Engineering Manager at MMT Digital (BSc Computing)
  • Debalina Padariya, PhD Computer Science
  • Seychelle Oldfield, Leicester Media School student

This was a great event to explore the issues that many women face in their careers today and what can be done to improve the experiences of women and create a better future.

Ada Lovelace Day

To mark this year’s Ada Lovelace Day, we held interviews with inspiring women in our faculty, you can watch these interview back on the below links:

We also held a poster display in the Gateway House entrance, if you missed it here are some photos of some of the inspirational women we showcased.

Black History Month

To celebrate this year’s Black History Month theme ‘Saluting our sisters’, the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Media held an online panel discussion which explored the experiences of black women in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics). The panel discussed their own journeys and experience, who inspired them as role models and what needs to be done to encourage more diversity in STEAM subjects.

On the panel we were joined by:

  • Minal Karia – Senior Lecturer Corporate, Faculty of Business & Law
  • Celine Ilo – Postgraduate Research Student in Engineering
  • Timilehin Olusa – Alumni, Electrical and Electronic Engineering BEng (Hons)
  • Adaeze Akande – CEM Careers Intern & Photography and Video BA (Hons) student

You can watch the event back at: Saluting our sisters: Celebrating black women in STEAM – YouTube

Racing Ahead: In conversation with Megan Yates

Anna Strzelecka, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Engineering was in conversation with former DMU Racing Team Leader, Megan Yates. The event explored the challenges women in STEM face through the personal experiences of Megan, where she is now and where she hopes to be in the future.

You can watch the event back at: (2) Racing Ahead – In conversation with Megan Yates – YouTube

We look forward to continuing to share our events with you for 2024!

About the author

Sarah Lewis administrator