ED&I Fellows 2025-2026

This is the sixth 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.

Taylah Andrews-Clark
Department of Chemistry
DPhil student
Pronouns: she/her

I am a final year PhD student split between the department of Organic Chemistry and Diamond Light Source. I am passionate about the inclusion and representation of underrepresented groups in higher education and academia, whether that be underrepresented racial or social groups or LGBTQIA+ people.

As a mixed race, queer woman from a working-class background, I have experience with feeling like I “don’t belong” in certain academic circles and as EDI fellow I want to make it my goal to ensure that no one in our division feels this way. I hope to bring people in our community together and celebrate the successes of all people within our field.

I look forward to this role and if you have any suggestions or would like to chat about this please email me at taylah.andrews-clark@linacre.ox.ac.uk

Joseph Fihosy
Department of Materials
DPhil student
Pronouns: he/him

Hello! I'm Joseph, a third year DPhil student studying the effects of radiation damage on high temperature superconductors using x-ray spectroscopy. As an EDI fellow, I'm really interested in understanding how to make the websites of MPLS departments more accessible to people with disabilities/neurodivergence, as well as more approachable to people from underprivileged backgrounds.

Diversity is so important because we have so much to learn from each other. I will do my best to use this platform to listen to and amplify your voices, to make this university even more welcoming and supportive.

Emma Ford
Department of Physics
Doctoral Researcher in Machine Learning and Hydrology
Pronouns: she/her

Hello! I am a doctoral researcher in Machine Learning and Hydrology, focusing on understanding extreme flood events. Alongside my academic work, I am excited to serve as an ED&I Fellow.

I would like to support women and other under-represented groups in STEM, and to promote mental health and wellbeing in academia. I aim to encourage open conversations and create supportive spaces where students and early career researchers can talk about challenges such as stress, anxiety, and insomnia. I believe embedding care and wellbeing into the research culture is very important.

Dave Hemprich-Bennett
Department of Biology
Postdoctoral Researcher
Pronouns: he/him

I’m very excited to have been chosen as one of this year’s ED&I fellows as I strongly feel it’s important to advocate for minoritised groups within the division and to improve everyone’s access to a quality career and education in the university. I am hoping to build on some of my previous experiences as a neurodiversity mentor and mental health first aider and so am keen to raise the profile of the many disabled people within the division. I am also eager to represent our working parents, many of whom are providing for a family while working under fixed-term contracts, or facing fertility issues that may have been exacerbated by delaying starting a family due to their career path. 

Svenja Lützow
Department of Engineering
DPhil student
Pronouns: she/her

I’m a 2nd year DPhil student in Engineering Sciences in the Steel Lab developing high-throughput directed evolution techniques at the interface of synthetic biology and control engineering.

I’m truly excited to be selected as an ED&I fellow and I’m looking forward to making the MPLS division an even more inclusive place for everybody. As Treasurer of the Women in Engineering committee I’m particularly passionate about championing gender equity and creating a supportive environment for underrepresented groups in STEM. Beyond this, I’m looking forward to implementing initiatives for promoting mental health and wellbeing within the division.

Georgina Ryan
Mathematical Institute
DPhil student
Pronouns: she/her

I am a second year DPhil student in the Oxford Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (OCIAM). My research focuses on building asymptotic models of electrochemical devices for industry.

Diversity, equity and inclusion in mathematics (and STEM more broadly) are incredibly important to me. I run Mathematrix, a discussion group for grad students and postdocs in the Mathematical Institute to discuss issues facing underrepresented groups in maths and how to make maths a more supportive and safe space for everyone. I believe that science fundamentally gets better when we have a diversity of people doing it, and so actively advocating for ED&I initiatives should be a priority for everyone in MPLS. I’m very excited to be an ED&I Fellow to help enact change on a divisional level.

Aristeidis Varis
Department of Earth Sciences
Postdoctoral Researcher
Pronouns: he/him

I am a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow in the Department of Earth Sciences, investigating how access to groundwater influenced human settlement during the last ice age. Pursuing a research career and navigating interdisciplinary paths often involves overcoming structural barriers within academia.

Through the ED&I Fellowship, I aim to support initiatives that promote equal access to opportunities for underrepresented groups, focusing on first-generation and working-class individuals and inclusive scientific fieldwork.

Jenny Watson
Department of Computer Science
Learning Technologist
Pronouns: she/her

I am a Learning Technologist in the Department of Computer Science and also a former teacher. I am passionate about using technology to enhance teaching and learning, especially if it helps to create an equitable experience for students with disabilities or other barriers.

In my role of MPLS ED&I Fellow I will be especially looking at providing support for students with hearing and visual impairments and for neurodivergent learners. I believe that inclusive design benefits everyone, improving the learning experience across our community.

Linying Yang
Department of Statistics
DPhil student
Pronouns: she/her

I’m Linying Yang, a final-year PhD candidate in the Department of Statistics. My research focuses on causal inference, particularly distribution shifts, data fusion, and data simulation with generative models. I aim to develop methods with strong statistical guarantees and practical impact.

As an EDI fellow, I will work to create an environment where students feel safe and confident to speak up. I hope to make EDI resources more visible so students know where to find support and never face unfair treatment alone. I also hope to foster community through events, discussions, and peer connections that encourage mutual support, learning, and celebration of our differences.