On Wednesday 21 May 2025, several members of the UCL School of Management faculty hosted the fourth annual UCL Diversity Research Day conference. Organised by Professors Clarissa Cortland and Felix Danbold, the event brought together a select group of management scholars from across the UK who are committed to advancing theoretical and empirical insights that not only deepen our understanding of workplace inequities, but also equip organisations to navigate this increasingly complex landscape.

Despite increasing awareness of the benefits of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in the workplace, many organisations continue to struggle with translating good intentions into meaningful outcomes. These challenges are compounded by today’s shifting political and organisational climate in which diversity efforts – especially in the United States – have come under heightened scrutiny, legal constraint, and ideological backlash. At a time when the legitimacy of EDI is being questioned in some spheres, the need for rigorous, evidence-based research to inform inclusive organisational practices has never been more urgent.

During the day, UCL Professors Raina Brands, Clarissa Cortland, Felix Danbold, Cydney Dupree, Sophie Cho, Tom Yan, and Martin Kilduff were joined by visiting scholars from London Business School, Imperial College London, London School of Economics, the University of Exeter, and the University of Oxford. Attendees presented their latest research for discussion and feedback from the group. Shared findings included new evidence demonstrating shifting portrayals of gender in leadership, novel insights about the gendered nature of different occupational roles, new challenges around the unintended consequences of organisational diversity initiatives, identity-based differences in networking behaviours, leveraging smartphone data to reveal the behavioural roots of authoritarianism tendencies, and new pathways to designing more inclusive organisations.

During the evening, conference attendees were joined by London-based professionals working on the frontlines of EDI. Experts working on EDI issues with the Crown Estate, KPMG, Ofcom, and Park Hyatt shared their experiences navigating EDI victories and recent challenges in the workplace.

The UCL Diversity Research Day is a cornerstone of the School of Management’s commitment to advancing world-leading EDI research. Held annually, the event fosters a vibrant community of scholars and practitioners by strengthening connections between UK-based EDI researchers and industry leaders. With plans for steady growth in the years ahead, the event continues to provide a hub for collaboration, insight, and impact.

We are already looking forward to next year’s gathering and the important research it will spotlight.