Quick-Fire Panel Sparks EDI Inspiration for Knowledge Transfer Offices

Innovations in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Quick-Fire Panel Sparks EDI Inspiration for Knowledge Transfer Offices

At this year's annual meeting, ASTP members were treated to a rapid-fire, 15-minute panel discussion aimed at providing inspiration and sharing real-world Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategies for Knowledge Transfer Offices (KTOs). Moderated by Danielle Counotte, the session served as a teaser for a full webinar to be recorded later this year and highlighted the ASTP EDI Toolkit originally launched two years ago.

EDI Initiatives in Practice

The panel featured three KTO professionals sharing their most impactful EDI initiatives.

Kit Bartlet (University of Bristol) discussed Research to Reward, an initiative designed to bring more women researchers into the innovation space by offering training and a £20,000 funding prize. The programme culminated in a public showcase of five-minute pitches, empowering women and ensuring they felt they truly belonged in the innovation community.

Sally Makady (American University in Cairo) highlighted the importance of active listening across campus and engaging students early through entrepreneurship clubs. She also shared a stellar departmental success story that successfully increased the number of Egyptian women on local company boards from 5% to 28% over five years by hosting inclusive events and accommodating those with caretaking responsibilities.

Andrew Carlin shared his experience tackling a highly technocentric food waste initiative by setting a simple but strict mandate: 50% of the people in the room had to be new faces. By directly approaching women entrepreneurs and minority groups, and removing barriers by covering travel and groceries, his team successfully enriched their outputs and demystified the innovation process for underrepresented communities.

Key Takeaways for KTOs

When asked for their top take-home messages for KTOs just starting their EDI journeys, the panelists offered highly practical advice. Kit emphasized the necessity of gathering baseline statistics and securing dedicated funding to gain essential senior leadership buy-in. 

Sally urged attendees to "get comfortable with the uncomfortable" by confronting unconscious biases and accepting that EDI improvement is a highly iterative process of trial and error.

Finally, Andrew reminded the audience that EDI is not a mere compliance issue or policy, but a state of mind and a set of opportunities that profoundly enriches the work we do.

Get Involved with ASTP's EDI Efforts

Danielle closed the session with a strong call to action for all ASTP members: 

• Use the Toolkit: https://bit.ly/ASTPEDIToolkit.
• Complete the ASTP Survey: https://bit.ly/4woTV3C
• Join the Movement: Anyone with ideas or interest is encouraged to reach out and join Danielle, Anji, and Nessim in the EDI group to help create new resources, share experiences and drive this conversation forward