ED&I Fellows 2023-2024

This is the fourth year of running the ED&I Fellowship scheme with representation from across our departments. These Fellows will work with the central MPLS ED&I Team, ED&I Steering Group and departmental leads to champion ED&I for the Division. Find out more about them below (listed alphabetically).

If you’re interested in getting involved with our work, please contact diversity@mpls.ox.ac.uk.

Faye Cash

Begbroke Science Park

Health and Safety Manager

Pronouns: she/her

I have worked at Begbroke Science Park as the Facilities, Health and Safety Manager for almost two years. As ED&I has always been part of my career path (past and present), having the privileged opportunity to be a Fellow enables me to explore this area further with a view to embrace my own, and other’s, ideas on how to positively promote ED&I within our respective professions and the wider University. I have always been committed to helping and supporting others and still, after many years, have this amazing ability to pick up extra tasks every day!

Our environment has a diverse range of students, academics, researchers and professional services staff, all looking to enrich their life with the Oxford University experience. I firmly believe that ED&I has an important part to play in everyone’s Oxford University journey. I look forward to being involved with as much as possible during my time as an ED&I Fellow. Not just for me, for all of the ED&I Fellows and the audiences that we will reach.

Oishi Deb

Department of Engineering Science

DPhil Candidate

Pronouns: she/her

I'm a DPhil Candidate jointly between the Department of Engineering Science and the Department of Computer Science, and I am based at Visual Geometry Group (VGG) and Torr Vision Group (TVG) research labs. My research focuses broadly on Computer Vision, AI, and Machine Learning. Prior to starting my DPhil, I gained industrial experience at Rolls Royce working for over 3 years. I pursued my MSc in Artificial Intelligence which was funded by DeepMind, and my undergraduate was in Software and Electronics Engineering from the University of Leicester, UK.

I am honoured to be selected as an ED&I Fellow, I am particularly passionate about supporting neurodivergent people and people with unconventional journeys to research to have equal access. I am looking forward to working closely with the department on these areas.

Kelsey Doerksen

Department of Computer Science

DPhil student

Pronouns: she/her

I'm a 3rd year DPhil student in the Autonomous Intelligent Machines and Systems CDT in the Oxford Applied and Theoretical Machine Learning Group (OATML). My research focuses on utilizing AI with Earth Observation and remote sensing data for climate and humanitarian-focused applications, working with the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, UNICEF, European Space Agency, Deimos Space, and Satellite Applications Catapult. I am honoured to join this year's cohort of ED&I Fellows. As a first-generation PhD student and the President of the Oxford Womxn in Computer Science society I am particularly passionate about building communities to support underrepresented minorities in STEM.

Ginger Jansen

Mathematical Institute

Recruitment Coordinator

Pronouns: she/her

Hello! I’m currently the Recruitment Coordinator at the Mathematical Institute but have worked here for 2.5 years in various other HR-related roles, including most recently as an ED&I Project Officer. I’m passionate about all things EDI and strive to make change where and whenever I can (however small). As an ED&I Fellow, I’m hoping to tap into a wider network of excellent like-minded people and review our recruitment and onboarding processes through an EDI-lens. I’m also a Mental Health Champion, and want to continue striving for positive change in this area.

Lessah Mandoloma

Department of Biology

DPhil student

Pronouns: she/her

I am a 3rd year DPhil student in the ICCS lab. My research focuses on understanding how to integrate biodiversity conservation and agriculture in a shared landscape. Through my position as an African Universities Ambassador and as a student from southern Africa, I realised that my challenges were not unique to me and that overcoming them requires a strong support system. I plan to apply my experience and perspective to foster inclusivity by informing and ensuring that MPLS continues to be a thriving space for everyone, including the underrepresented communities. I am excited to serve as an ED&I Fellow.

Christopher Noble

Department of Physics

Technology Associate

Pronouns: he/him

I work as part of the Quantum Computing & Simulation Hub, a partnership of seventeen universities led by the University of Oxford, in a role in which I’m fortunate enough to interact with a variety of people across academia and industry on a daily basis. I’m really excited to join this year’s consortium of ED&I Fellows. As a new parent, and one who enjoyed a fantastic 3 months of shared parental leave, I’m particularly keen to explore how we can improve processes, understanding and awareness within MPLS of the University’s family-friendly arrangements, as well as the support offerings available to staff.

Lucy Oswald

Department of Physics

Research Fellow

Pronouns: she/her

I am a Fellow by Examination in Physics at Magdalen College. My research focuses on pulsars: I observe them with modern radio telescopes to understand their behaviour and use them to map out the plasma structures of the Milky Way. I hope to use my time as an ED&I Fellow to encourage a supportive and connected working environment for all.

Vik Shirvaikar

Department of Statistics

DPhil Student

Pronouns: he/him

Hello! I'm a third-year DPhil student at St. Peter's College in statistics, where my research focuses on causality and prediction for clinical trial analysis. Through advocacy and volunteer work in my home state of Texas, and as a student welfare officer here in Oxford, I've developed a commitment to making STEM environments more welcoming and accessible to all. As an incoming fellow, I hope to focus on the intersection of ED&I and welfare. No two members of our diverse community walk the same path, and I believe it's our responsibility to listen, understand the unique obstacles each individual faces, and then take action to promote well-being and help people thrive.

Charlie Simms

Department of Chemistry

DPhil Student

Pronouns: she/her

Hi! I’m Charlie and I am currently studying for a DPhil in Inorganic Chemistry. I really care about ED&I as a result of my own and my friends’ experiences. Previously, I have worked on gender representation and equality, ranging from investigations into the secondary school curriculum in the UK, to creating a podcast with undergraduate students (PERIODically) which discusses the impacts of periods on studying. I am really keen to get involved with other areas of EDI work and learn about the inequalities faced by my peers and hopefully be the best ally I can. Please feel free to get in contact with me if you would like to have a chat about anything EDI related!

Jack Swallow

Department of Materials

Postdoctoral Researcher

Pronouns: he/him

I have been a postdoc in Oxford's materials department for around three years now. I apply X-ray spectroscopies to various energy materials to probe how they work at an atomic level. By engaging with colleagues and collaborators, I have built an understanding of issues that can make academia a less than fulfilling and enjoyable experience. As an ED&I fellow, I hope to be a good ally to our underrepresented groups, using this opportunity to discuss some of these important problems and ways to improve upon them.

Tiffany Walmsley

Department of Chemistry

DPhil Student

Pronouns: she/her

I'm a 4th year DPhil student in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry. I work in the fields of chemical physics and laser chemistry, using ultrafast lasers to `watch' chemical reactions by exploding molecules. I have suffered with the chronic disease endometriosis throughout my entire DPhil. It has been unclear who or where to turn to for advice about dealing with the physical and emotional impacts of a chronic condition, and the `otherness' from disability makes categorising and addressing them difficult. During my time on the committee, I want to increase discussion on chronic conditions within study and research, and reduce the stigma surrounding periods, reproductive health, and mental health. I also hope to learn from others about how navigating individual experiences is affected by intersectionality.