Equality Diversity & Inclusion and Student Wellbeing
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is central to the research, training and professional culture of the CDT. We will leverage the diversity of students, staff, and industry partners to cultivate a culture that values and nurtures talent from all backgrounds.
Both UCL and Ulster University have robust EDI policies and a range of support networks available to provide dedicated support for staff and students alike (for example, Disability Equality Steering Group, LGBTQ+ and BAME Networks). In 2015 UCL received its first institutional Silver Athena Swan award which was renewed in 2021. Similarly, Ulster University achieved the institutional Silver Athena Swan award in May 2023 having already held the departmental silver award (School of Engineering) since 2019. Both institutions are fully committed to maintaining and embedding the principles of the charter.
All principal investigators associated with the centre will undertake university-led EDI and unconscious bias training courses (see Ulster Training and UCL Training) and EDI will be standing item at the management board and relevant subcommittees.
Other CDT specific student support initiatives include:
Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA)
Carers Support Fund available to provide financial assistance to student’s with caring responsibilities
Academic Mentors for all students throughout their studies
Buddy Scheme
Student Reps for all years at each institution
Student Support and Wellbeing
The CDT strongly encourages any funded students experiencing difficulties to check the student support resources available via the expert teams within partner institutions:
The CDT understands that complications and changes in circumstances may occur in the duration of a studentship award. Students should get in touch with their institutional CDT Manager as soon as they experience any problems or issues that may impact their registration and/or studentship award. The CDT Manager will do their best to assist, working with staff at the registered institution to ensure that students receive support.
Reasonable adjustments will be considered at every stage of a studentship. Flexible working arrangements will be implemented for students with caring responsibilities or disabilities and where possible, we aim to record CDT lectures and seminars to ensure that those unable to attend maintain the same experience as their peers. Wellbeing sessions will be delivered and include resilience training, mindfulness and managing stress.
All EPSRC-funded CDT studentships are covered by the UKRI CDT Training Grant Terms and Conditions and any changes to a studentship must adhere to these guidelines.
Support for Students with Disabilities and Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
The CDT is committed to ensuring that all students, including those with disabilities, long-term health conditions, mental health conditions, or specific learning difficulties, are fully supported throughout their doctoral training.
Students registered at either University College London (UCL) or the Ulster University (UU) are eligible to access the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), a UKRI-funded scheme administered by the EPSRC. DSA is designed to cover additional study-related costs that a student may incur due to a disability. This can include:
Specialist equipment (e.g. assistive technology)
Non-medical helpers (e.g. study skills tutors, note-takers)
Travel costs related to the disability
Other disability-related study support
Carers Support Fund
The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Digital Health Technologies (tech4health) recognises that some PhD researchers have significant caring responsibilities that may limit their ability to fully participate in training, conferences, workshops, or other activities essential to their PhD progression.
This policy establishes a Carers Support Fund to provide financial assistance to eligible PhD students to help offset additional costs incurred due to caring responsibilities.
The fund promotes equity, supports researcher wellbeing, and enables full participation in academic and professional development opportunities.
Mentors
All tech4health students will have a member of the CDT Co-Investigator Team as a CDT Mentor throughout their studies.
CDT Mentors provide additional pastoral support to tech4health students alongside their supervisory teams and provide guidance on wider training initiatives and opportunities outside their specific research interests. This ensures that tech4health students continue to receive the best support and training in the broader aspects of Digital Health Technologies across Academia, Industry and Clinical applications throughout their studies.
Buddy Scheme
The CDT Buddy Group Scheme helps new first-year students settle into the programme by connecting them with experienced CDT students from the outset. Buddy groups provide a friendly, informal space to ask questions, share experiences, and receive peer support and guidance throughout the transition to doctoral study.
Student Reps
Each cohort and institution is represented by a Student Representative who plays a key role in enhancing the student experience. Student Reps coordinate social and cohort-building activities, contribute to the development of training provision, and work with the CDT team to plan and deliver events throughout the year, including the annual conference.
Current Student Reps
Cohort 1:
UU - Elaine Keegan
UCL - Isla Henderson
Cohort 2:
UU - TBC
UCL - Maribel Fowler