King’s is committed to embedding good equality, diversity and inclusion practice into all our activities so that the university becomes a richer and more diverse place to work and study.

As an employer and educator, King’s recognises its legal duties as well as the moral imperative to promote diversity and inclusion within the campus community and to provide a safe and healthy environment for work and study where staff, students and other members of the King’s community are treated with dignity, courtesy and respect.

The work of EDI not only ensures that King’s meets and upholds its legal obligations in regard to equality and anti-discrimination law, but also makes positive interventions to embed the ethos diversity and inclusion into policy, processes and everyday practice, working to eliminate barriers to participation and success.

If you are a King's student or member of staff, you can check out the diversity of King's using our EDI Dashboards which present you with visuals of the data that we use to inform our projects and interventions.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion is a key enabler of King's Vision 2029 and our EDI governance structure has been designed to embed EDI throughout all structural levels of the College. Accountability for EDI within King's sits with the College's Council, who delegate to the President and Principal who works with the Senior Management Team (SMT) and Academic Board to deliver actions.

The Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee (EDIC), is currently chaired by the Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and has been created as a sub-committee of the SMT to oversee and monitor the implementation of King's Equality, Diversity & Inclusion strategic goals. The EDIC meets termly during the academic year and membership comprises of senior representatives from across the College.

Working alongside the EDIC is the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Forum (EDIF). The EDIF is a body for staff and student voices and it comprises of diverse members who represent the breadth of perspectives of the King's community. It provides the EDIC with insight into staff and student community experiences. Members are representative of their respective areas and are expected to communicate key issues and updates, acting as a key link between local community and King's governance and decision-making structure.

Athena Swan

The Athena SWAN charter is a framework launched in 2005 to recognise the commitment of institutions that promote and advance careers of women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) in academia. The charter and associated award has now expanded to address gender equality more widely in higher education.

Business Disability Forum

King's joined the Business Disability Forum (BDF) in 2017 to demonstrate it's commitment to ensuring disability inclusion is a key strategic priority for the university. The BDF work with over 550 members offering advice and support to organisations to me more disability-smart.

Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (enei)

Enei are an organisation that supports organisations to establish and sustain diverse teams and work to promote inclusive culture within the workplace.

Mental Health at Work Commitment

Mental Health at Work brings together organisations to commit to supporting the wellbeing and positive mental health of staff. They offer a range of expert resources & toolkits.

Race Equality Charter Mark

The Race Equality Charter is led by Advance HE. The charter supports universities to detect and address barriers facing Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff and students. KCL holds a bronze charter award.

Stonewall

Stonewall is an organisation that stands for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and ace (LGBTQ+) rights. Over the last 30 years, they have helped create transformative change in the lives of LGBTQ+ people in the UK. They have been at the forefront of making workplaces inclusive for LGBTQ+ people for more than 15 years. That includes us, as a part of the Stonewall Diversity Champions programme, where we work in partnership to empower LGBTQ+ people and their allies to step up as leaders, role models, and activists in our workplace.

Sunflower Lanyard Scheme

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a simple tool for individuals to share that they may have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent. King's supports the scheme, with sunflower lanyards available to collect across our campuses and there is also training available for KCL staff and students to help recognise and support those displaying a sunflower.

Working Families Index

The Working Families Index is a UK charity which supports parents and carers. Their mission is to remove barriers faced in the workplace by those with caring responsibilities.

The Maternity Pledge 

We are a social enterprise that provides support for the transition into motherhood, otherwise known as matrescence, and improves maternity leave and the return to work for new mothers.

We have created an inclusion & awareness and calendar. The calendar contains notable dates which may be celebrated, marked and or acknowledged by our university community.

View the calendar as a PDF below:

All King's policies are available in the Policy Hub.

Lorraine Kelly (she/her) – Director of Culture and Talent

Lorraine’s leadership spans a range of staff strategies including positive workplace culture activities, mental health and wellbeing initiatives, leadership and management programmes. Her expertise and commitment is central to King’s focus on driving a culture where our staff and students can thrive, feel they belong and have every opportunity to contribute effectively.

• lorraine.kelly@kcl.ac.uk

Harjeet Moore (she/her) – Deputy Director Inclusion, Belonging and Wellbeing

Hi, I am Harjeet, the Deputy Director Inclusion, Belonging and Wellbeing for King's College London.

My background has been working in Human Resources for just over 25 years within various sectors, and over the last 15 years I have had a focus on EDI, Wellbeing and Mental Health. I also volunteer at my son's local grass roots football club as their Welfare and Inclusion Officer. 

These are areas I am incredibly passionate about and believe that it is important to have a truly intersectional inclusive culture where we create environments so everyone feels safe, has a sense of belonging, is empowered to achieve their full potential, and that we have an impact on wider society.

Becca Browett (she/her) – Strategic Programme Manager for Preventing and Addressing Bullying and Harassment

Hello! I am the Strategic Programme Manager for Preventing and Addressing Bullying and Harassment. I am leading the development of a strategy to tackle bullying and harassment in all its forms for both staff and students. Prior to this role, I worked in the Education & Students Directorate leading the implementation of King’s Education Strategy 2017 - 22, management of the Teaching Excellence Framework and the education response to Covid-19.

I come from an academic background, having completed a PhD and been a lecturer in Medieval History. I have a particular interest in staff and student wellbeing, and creating inclusive and respectful work and learning environments where every individual can thrive

Lily Patrick – EDI Project Manager for Preventing and Addressing Bullying and Harassment

Hi, I’m Lily, an EDI Project Manager specialising in preventing and addressing bullying and harassment. This includes development and implementation of initiatives such as training and resources and policy, data management and evaluation, and campaigns such as Anti-Bullying Week. I also co-chair Access King’s, the Staff Disability Inclusion Network.

My background is in Higher Education and Students’ Unions, where I began as a full-time elected Sabbatical Officer, then took on various roles in Student Engagement, Research and Insight and Careers (Employer Engagement). Outside of work, I love learning about anything and everything! You’ll find me out and about exploring new places, reading or in the kitchen trying to whip up a storm with random ingredients at the back of my cupboard.

Jennifer Hastings – Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager

I am an EDI Manager at KCL, leading on our race equality work. I also manage two EDI Project Officers.

I come from a Students’ Union background, having begun my career as an adviser. In my most recent role as Head of Student Voice at LSESU, I developed the organisation’s first EDI strategy. I love to work collaboratively and believe it’s important to allow different perspectives to influence our work.

I have a particular interest in mental health, intersectional feminism, and how socio-economic factors shape our experiences. I’m also a big fan of bakeries and dogs.

Jareen Kazi – Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor

Hi! I’m Jareen, and I’m an EDI Advisor. I support the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences and King’s Business School with their EDI projects, and I provide training and support on broader EDI projects at King’s.

My career journey has spanned HR, Legal, and EDI advisory work in the public and private sectors. I’m passionate about dismantling barriers to inclusion and creating sustainable change where diverse voices are heard and valued.

Outside work, I enjoy spending meaningful moments with loved ones, baking sweet treats, and experimenting with make-up.

Charlotte Low – Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor

Hello, I’m the EDI Advisor faculty support for Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences (NMES) and Law, working with them to embed inclusive practice and will be supporting with training and facilitation of our sessions more widely across the institution.

I am passionate about gender equality and am excited to be working on our gender equality work and commitment to the Athena Swan Charter. I am particularly interested in analysing the impact our culture change work has on tackling structural inequalities.

I spent my first six years at King’s in Libraries & Collections, so it's probably no surprise that in my spare time I love to read. I also enjoy crocheting and have a small, manageable obsession with houseplants.

Hannah Sauer (she/her) – Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor

Hello! My name is Hannah and I work as an EDI Advisor. I provide support on Disability Inclusion work and with running our flagship training, Diversity Matters.

Before working at King’s, I worked in state Secondary Education for 11 years, both as an English & Film teacher and as an Equalities Coordinator. I passionately believe that education has the power to create a more just future for everyone. It is both an experience that should be diverse, equitable and inclusive and a tool to create empathy, collaboration and deeper understanding.

When I’m not at work, I love knitting, learning languages and eating cake!

Sean Tilman (he/him) – Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor

Hi, I’m Sean Tillman (he/him), and I’m the EDI Advisor (LGBTQ+ Lead) at King’s.

I’ve been at King’s for four years working in Student Experience, and I’ve also served as co-lead of Proudly King’s, King’s LGBTQIA+ staff network. With 10 years of experience in higher education, I’ve worked in various capacities across the sector including student experience, study abroad, and other EDI-driven roles. I’m passionate about creating environments where everyone feels valued, included, and like they truly belong.

I’m also a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor, and I’m deeply passionate about LGBTQ+ issues, sexual health advocacy, and championing mental health awareness.

Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, swimming, and all things pop culture – TV, music, video games (huge Nintendo Switch fan!), and movies. You might even spot my labradoodle, Beau, on a Teams call – he loves making guest appearances!

Victoria Süsserott – EDI Administrator

Hi, I’m Vicky and I’m an administrator within the EDI team.

I’ve previously worked in both the private and public sector and took a change of career to work in a field I’m passionate about.

Outside of work I sit as a magistrate in the criminal courts, I’m passionate about prison reform and initiatives to make the justice system fairer.

Jemma Adams (they/them) – Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager - Disability Inclusion

I’m Jemma, EDI Manager for Disability Inclusion. I lead our disability inclusion and accessibility work which aims to improve the experience of disabled staff at King’s. I work on workplace adjustments processes and guidance, disability awareness and neurodiversity training, along with a range of other projects to ensure we are all equipped to make King’s a disability inclusive workplace. I work closely with the student Disability Support & Inclusion team, Estates & Facilities, IT and others as we collaborate to take on shared challenges and make improvements for our whole community.

I have worked in the EDI team at King’s since 2020 in a few different roles and it’s such a pleasure to now specialise in and lead our disability inclusion actions. My interest in matters of equality, diversity and inclusion started through engagement with feminist and liberation theology and theologies of sexuality and gender. This background and my personal journey to identifying as a queer pagan influence both my EDI work and how I navigate life more generally.

Shani Minogue (they/them) – Staff Disability Support Advisor

I’m Shani and I’m the Staff Disability Support Advisor. This is a brand-new role for King’s, where I’ll be leading an advice service that will provide support to disabled staff and colleagues with issues like workplace adjustments, training, and Access to Work processes.

I was the Disabled Students Officer during my studies at King’s in 2018 before embarking into the charity sector. There, I managed a social welfare advice service, an inclusive employment project, and a co-produced research study all with a focus on disability justice. I’m also a trustee at a user-led mental health charity based in South London and I have previously worked with King’s to create guidance on best practices for social workers when using digital communication technologies to engage with disabled people.

Disabled liberation, and social change, have always been at the core of my interests so I’m extremely excited to be back at King’s as a part of the EDI team. Outside of work, I enjoy reading manga and I’m an avid cook who loves to experiment with new recipes.

Roberta Canovari (she/her) – Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor

Hello, I’m Roberta and I am an EDI Advisor for Disability Inclusion at King’s. I also support the Faculty of Arts & Humanities with their EDI objectives. Some of my work includes creating resources and raising awareness around disability and accessibility.

I have a background working within the language industry, the civil service, mental health charities and volunteering with refugees. My interest in Equality, Diversity & Inclusion started with feminism, and I am passionate about social justice and looking at EDI through an intersectional lens.

I also love live music, hiking, dogs and exploring food cultures.

Heidi Wright (she/her) – Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager (Wellbeing)

Hello! I'm Heidi and I am an EDI Manager, leading on Wellbeing. My background is in Psychology and Nutrition. I am a new member of the team and my focus is on how we can improve mental and physical health at King's through fostering an intersectional approach to wellbeing. I'm passionate about reducing inequalities and creating a more just society where everyone can thrive.

In my personal time I am a massive foodie and love exploring different cuisines! I've also recently discovered a passion for gardening.

Marilyn Jane Smith (she/her) – Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Wellbeing Advisor

Hello! I'm MJ and I work as an EDI Advisor (Wellbeing).
I provide wellbeing support across the King's community.

I have worked within a HR setting for 11 years within the NHS and Higher Education.
I'm extremely passionate about self-care and wellbeing and currently training to become a life coach.

Coming from a strong, professional, creative arts background I have been fortunate to be able to express my authentic self through-out my career. I'm currently working on creating and designing my very own affirmations card deck which I plan to release in 2025.

Pier Bellini – Staff Mental Health Training & Guidance Manager

Hi, I'm Pier Bellini, Manager of the Staff Mental Health Training & Guidance team in the EDI department at King's. We create and deliver mental health training and provide support and guidance for staff.

With over 10 years in higher education across the US and UK, my studies in Multicultural Psychology and Education fuel my passion for creating and promoting healthy, inclusive environments.

Outside of work, I'm a screenwriter and mental health consultant for film and TV. Oh, and I've got a soft spot for pastries and coffee—you'll usually spot me with one in hand!

Melanie Newnam – Staff Mental Health Training & Guidance Practitioner

Hi, I am Mel one of the Staff Mental Health Training and Guidance Practitioners in the EDI team and new to King's. I am a MHFA England instructor and a psychotherapist. I have spent over 30 years working in medical risk and mental health and wellbeing. More recently running my own training consultancy. I am trained as a SHOUT crisis volunteer and passionate about supporting and signposting people to help where needed. As a newbie to London, I love exploring the city, catching up with family and friends and walking my friend's dog.

Rachel Fahy-Cobden – Staff Mental Health Training & Guidance Practitioner

Hi, I'm Rachel, one of the Staff Mental Health and Training Practitioners in the EDI team here at King's.

I have been at King's for over three years. I am a MHFA England trainer and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trainer here at King's. Having studied my master's in psychology and worked in student support (Mental Health, Wellbeing and Disability) in Higher Education for over eight years, I know how vital these conversations can be in helping an individual access support. I am also a qualified coach and yoga teacher.

When I am not at work I enjoy baking, kayaking, cuddling my two cats (Eddie and Pixie), paddle boarding and yoga.

Got a question for EDI?

You can reach the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team by emailing diversity@kcl.ac.uk

King's colleagues can also use our convenient enquiry form to ensure we track and respond to your requests promptly. Please use this form to contact the EDI team. Don’t forget, you can also discover more about the work of the EDI team and the answers to many of your questions in our EDI intranet pages.