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Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

at the Department of Social Policy

The Department of Social Policy endeavours to build an inclusive and supportive research community and learning environment. We support all staff and students regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, religion and age. The Department and its staff work to ensure respectful, inclusive and supportive working relationships within the Department.
Our commitment to EDI is embedded in the LSE Ethics Code and strategy. LSE strives to enable every member of the school community to excel, by investing in every part of the LSE community; by facilitating lasting relationships with our alumni, friends and partners; by ensuring that LSE works for everyone.

The School is committed to a working and learning environment where people can achieve their full potential free from any form of discrimination, harassment or bullying and is committed to providing an inclusive culture of equality, diversity and respect between individuals. Read the LSE Policy here.

The Department's EDI Representative acts as the point of contact and is responsible for monitoring, promoting, and protecting equity, diversity and inclusiveness in the Department. Equity, diversity and inclusiveness refer primarily to matters of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, religion and age, but also more generally to ensuring respectful working relations across departmental hierarchies.

Purpose of having an EDI Representative is to:

  • Review and monitor department policies and processes concerning their impact on equality and diversity, and, where appropriate, make recommendations for change;
  • Promote a working environment where concerns about equality and diversity can be freely raised and discussed, and where all members of the department feel treated as equals.
  • Promote a greater awareness of equality and diversity issues;
  • Support the department to ensure that teaching and administrative workloads are informed by equity and transparency.
  • Encourage departmental diversity through its hiring and recruitment processes, and in its public events programme;
  • Assist with the development of inclusive curricula, teaching and research plans, as required;
  • Support the department in developing proactive policies that can address unconscious bias.

The Department's EDI Representative for the 2025/26 academic year is Dr Isabel Shutes.

The School’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is one of its six strategic priorities, as highlighted in the , and ‘equity of respect and opportunity’ is one of the core principles set out in the School’s Ethics Code.

LSE’s EDI Office is the primary contact point for EDI issues throughout the School.

The EDI team can be reached at edi@lse.ac.uk.

Athena SWAN is a national charter mark – run by Advance HE – that recognises the advancement of gender equality in higher education: representation, progression and success for all.

The School it proud to have been awarded the bronze Athena SWAN award.

LSE has convened a self-assessment team which works towards the Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter Mark.

The Race Equality Charter is focused on improving the representation, progression and success of black and minority ethnic (BME) staff and students within Higher Education.

RACE MATTERS is a practical initiative developed by Dr Sunil Kumar and Dr Vanessa Hughes in the Department of Social Policy, LSE. Now coordinated by Dr Robtel Neajai Pailey, LSE Social Policy, it executes a plan of concrete action via four spaces that enable students, faculty and staff to talk about ‘race’ and other racialised discriminations and how they can contribute to a decolonised International Social and Public Policy education and experience. Read more here.

In the Department of Social Policy, we firmly believe in creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all students, staff, and faculty members. Our commitment to the LGBTQ+ community is unwavering, and we actively work to ensure that every individual feels respected, valued, and empowered.

We foster research and create safe and welcoming spaces where LGBTQ+ individuals can gather, share experiences, and receive support.

LSE works with AccessAble to maximise independence and choice for disabled people, to develop online access guides to all the School’s buildings and route maps around campus.

Find out more about LSE's Disability and Wellbeing service here.