TWI Diversity and Inclusion Statement
As one of the world's leading independent research and technology organisations, we are committed to attracting, motivating and retaining the best talent from around the world. Our goal is to develop the next generation of experts to address future industry challenges. We are committed to creating a culture that recognises and respects the differences between people while valuing the contribution everyone makes to TWI. The diversity of our staff and students makes a positive and important contribution to our continuing success.
The Tipper Group
Has someone from a different background or culture ever had the wrong first impression of you?
Have you ever had a bad first impression of someone, only to later realise that they are a great person?
Have you ever placed yourself in a workplace situation where someone was treated unfairly or inappropriately?
These are the types of challenges and situations addressed by The Tipper Group.
Named after the female Cambridge fracture engineer Constance Tipper, the group was launched by staff in 2016 to improve employee experience and employer perception throughout the National Structural Integrity Research Centre, The Welding Institute and TWI, while also promoting diversity and inclusion to a wider audience. In 2018, via The Tipper Group, TWI took a seat at the Royal Academy of Engineering’s diversity and inclusion progression framework implementation steering group.
The Tipper Group encourages and supports the creation and promotion of an inclusive culture that inspires, attracts, recruits and supports career development of people irrespective of gender, ethnicity, age, sexuality, beliefs, (dis)abilities and socio-economic background, by focussing on recognition and the development of skills and competencies.
This includes supporting career progress and peer-to-peer learning, supporting and improving work/life balance, providing programmes of mentoring and peer support, and developing confidence and an awareness of unconscious bias. To meet these objectives, the group also organises a calendar of events, attended by industry and academia, and supported by a strong social media presence.
It is important to note that The Tipper Group operates as a fully inclusive body to allow opinions to be shared and problems solved irrespective of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, neurodiversity, (dis)ability, spiritual belief or any other potentially divisive factors. This basic foundation, as well as the group’s diversity and inclusion activities, aim to develop a culture of openness, respect and tolerance.