Lead jointly by STOR-i PhD students Max Howell and Joe Rutherford, the DiverSTOR-i Network helps to support and promote an inclusive environment for everyone within STOR-i.

The DiverSTOR-i Network aims to provide opportunities from which STOR-i can become a more diverse and inclusive space, supporting and including members of under-represented groups in STOR-i, and STEM as a whole. Just one example of this are the fortnightly coding sessions where all STOR-i students are welcome to try some fun and interesting coding problems together in an informal, relaxed, and supportive environment.

The network ran several successful events in 2024, firstly welcoming Professor Christina Pagel, a world-leading mathematician and operational researcher at University College London (UCL), in January. Christina gave a talk and Q&A sessions on her vast career, providing insights into how to direct research, have a big impact, and achieve career goals.

STOR-i alumna Holly Jackson returned in June to talk with STOR-i students about her career pre-, during and post- her time in STOR-i. She was also able to advise about things she wished she knew while being in STOR-i, and gave STOR-i students tips on job applications.

Later in June, DiverSTOR-i held a special edition of STOR-i Bake Off to mark the end of Pride Month. To celebrate Pride Month, they also were able to use an innovative STOR-i logo (title picture) that incorporated the Pride Progress flag, and which was posted to the STOR-i LinkedIn and X page.

Just last month, members of STOR-i formed a team to take part in the Movember campaign, raising both money and awareness for a leading charity focussed on men’s mental and physical health. While some students grew a moustache to raise awareness of the importance of men’s mental health, others took on the challenge to run 60km in November for the 60 men every hour who are lost to suicide. Together, the STOR-i team raised £400 for the campaign.

DiverSTOR-i also organises a range of interesting and informative talks relating to equality, diversity and inclusion. In January, DiverSTOR-i will be welcoming guest speaker and STOR-i alumnus Paul Sharkey, who will be giving a presentation to students and staff about “Is Data Bias Harming the LGBTQ+ Community”.

DiverSTOR-i joint lead Joe Rutherford said: “It has been excellent to get DiverSTOR-i off to a good start this academic year, particularly with the success of our Movember campaign. We are looking forward to continuing organising events for STOR-i members in 2025, starting with our talk from Data Scientist Paul Sharkey in January”.