A calendar of upcoming WIDE events can be found here.
PhD students meeting the Edith Morley Seminar Speaker, September 2026
Message from Head of School, Prof Andrew Charlton-Perez
I am proud of the diversity and inclusivity of the School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences. Our staff and students come from many countries, cultures, ethnicities, faiths, genders, sexual orientations, and life experiences. This diversity strengthens our research, teaching and community. On a personal level, I really value working somewhere that people feel they belong regardless of who they are.
We are committed to creating an environment where everyone can feel respected, supported and able to be themselves. We particularly recognise that some groups continue to face barriers to participation and belonging, and we will continue to work to break down the barriers and improve inclusion.
I will support the WIDE committee to advocate for an inclusive and supportive culture within the School. I recognise that we don't always live up to our ideals and I rely on the WIDE committee and our community of staff and students to let me know when this is the case. My personal commitment is to ensure I use every opportunity I have to advocate for a more inclusive School.
Andrew
We are committed to creating an environment where everyone can feel respected, supported and able to be themselves. We particularly recognise that some groups continue to face barriers to participation and belonging, and we will continue to work to break down the barriers and improve inclusion.
I will support the WIDE committee to advocate for an inclusive and supportive culture within the School. I recognise that we don't always live up to our ideals and I rely on the WIDE committee and our community of staff and students to let me know when this is the case. My personal commitment is to ensure I use every opportunity I have to advocate for a more inclusive School.
Andrew
The WIDE committee
The WIDE committee and its working groups organises events such as:
- The annual Edith Morley seminar
- Queer Coffee and Kiki
- Mental health and wellbeing coffee mornings
- Mental health and wellbeing walks
- Neuro-inclusive coffee breaks
- A sunflower growing competition
- Panel events on neurodiversity and mental health
A calendar of upcoming events can be found here.
The committee also funds attendance at EDI related conferences and small research projects.
We recognise that recent developments in the wider policy landscape have made trans-inclusion difficult. While some decisions are made at University level, the WIDE committee will continue to advocate for an inclusive and supportive culture within the School, listen to the experiences of staff and students, and identify practical ways in which we can improve people's day-to-day experience. Trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming staff and students are valued members of our community. You belong here.
If you are experiencing marginalising behaviour at Reading (eg racism, sexist, transphobia or homophobia), email smpcs-WIDE@reading.ac.uk and we will try to help. We also have a number of trained mental health first aiders who you can contact if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. If you fear for your safety, contact the police on 999.