Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in the Department of Political Economy

The Department of Political Economy supports and promotes diversity and inclusion. We foster an inclusive environment in which staff and students are treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to ensuring that all students and staff are treated equitably and are not accorded less favourable treatment because of age, marital/civil partnership status, sex, disability, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, family circumstances, religious or political beliefs and transgender status. We are also committed to enhancing the work-life balance of all staff in relation to caring responsibilities and other issues affecting well-being. We want our students to be part of an inclusive, welcoming and supportive campus community.  

Our team 

The Department of Political Economy’s EDI Lead is Dr Teresa Esteban-Casanelles and the committee includes:

• Dr Mona Morgan-Collins
• Dr Jonathan Leader Maynard
• Dr Francesca Vantaggiato
• Dr Poornima Paidipaty
• Dr Barbara Piotrowska
• Dr Marta Wojciechowska
• Dr Gabriel Leon-Ablan

Our priorities

• Support staff on family-friendly leave.
• Develop and implement robust policies and practices in DPE to best facilitate EDI agenda in staff promotion.
• Improve recruitment practices where possible to include diversity.
• Work with staff and sudents to facilitate diversification of reading lists, in line with ongoing King's initiatives.

News and events 

What we are working on - current initiatives

1. Guidelines for implementation of parental leave in DPE
   In 2023, the EDI committee has worked tirelessly to implement new guidelines for how family-friendly leaves, operating within the university's policies, are implemented in DPE. We have standardised and improved how workload is allocated to staff taking a family-friendly leave and secured additional research funds available to anyone returning from family-friendly leave. See full guidelines here.
   
   
2. Parental study leave
   

   In 2024, the EDI committee developed a proposal for a one-term research leave for staff returning from family-friendly leaves. The proposal has been escalated to the School of Politics and Economics, which approved its implementation at the school level. This policy now extends to anyone who takes maternity leave, shared parental leave or career break for caring responsibilities. Full details here.

3. Diversification of reading lists
   The MAPE (Master's of Political Economy) programme is currently running a pilot initiative that aims to diversify reding lists on the programme, in line with the university's ongoing efforts. The initiative is funded by the King's Academy and lead by MAPE co-director Dr Mona Morgan-Collins. The initiative gives MAPE students and staff the space to reflect on various aspects of diversity in reading lists, focusing on both authorship and content. Winners of the 2025 Reading List Diversity will be announced this coming summer. Stay tuned. 

Equality, diversity and inclusion at King's

King's EDI annual report