Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At TWI, we are committed to creating an environment where every individual feels valued, respected and able to contribute their best. As a global research and technology organisation, we attract talented people from a wide range of backgrounds, sectors and cultures. This diversity strengthens our expertise, sparks creativity and drives the innovation that defines who we are.
We are dedicated to developing the next generation of specialists who will tackle future industry challenges, and we believe that an inclusive culture is essential to achieving this. Every member of our community staff and students alike plays an important role in our continued success.
Why EDI Matters at TWI
A diverse and inclusive workforce is essential for building a happy, productive and innovative organisation. By embracing a wide range of perspectives, we enhance creativity, strengthen problem-solving and ensure that everyone at TWI can thrive and contribute meaningfully to our shared goals.
The Tipper Group
Named after Constance Tipper a pioneering Cambridge engineer the group was founded by employees in 2016 to enhance the working environment across TWI, The Welding Institute and the National Structural Integrity Research Centre. In 2018, the group became involved in the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Diversity and Inclusion Progression Framework steering group, further extending its influence.
What the Tipper Group Does
The Tipper Group works to cultivate an inclusive culture that:
- celebrates diversity across gender, ethnicity, age, sexuality, beliefs, neurodiversity, disability and socio‑economic background
- supports skills development, confidence building and awareness of unconscious bias
- champions career progression, mentoring and peer-to-peer learning
- promotes work–life balance and a positive employee experience
To achieve this, the group delivers events, workshops, networking opportunities, and maintains an active social media presence to broaden engagement across industry and academia.
The group operates as a fully inclusive forum, ensuring all voices can be heard and enabling open, respectful discussions that help solve challenges collaboratively.
Achievements and Impact
The Tipper Group has already delivered significant progress, including:
- establishing a Diversity and Inclusion Working Group to drive cultural transformation
- launching the Living Our Values campaign to embed inclusivity into everyday practice
- delivering organisation‑wide awareness on unconscious bias and inclusive behaviours
- influencing recruitment practices, including gender‑inclusive job adverts and ensuring diverse representation on selection panels
- supporting three Women in Leadership programmes
This work is reinforced through internal communications, collaboration with external partners and a programme of events celebrating key diversity and inclusion milestones, such as International Women’s Day.