Academic shares resources to support equitable and inclusive practice for improving diversity in tech

Dr Angela Martinez Dy has published a set of resources aimed at supporting organisations working in the tech and start-up space in developing good policy and practice for equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives.

Dr Angela Martinez Dy is Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship in the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Loughborough University London.

The policy brief is based on a recently completed (2018-2021) project evaluation at OneTech, whose aim is to challenge inequity and the lack of diversity in tech by connecting underserved communities with opportunities in tech and start-ups. It is a programme of Capital Enterprise, a London-based organisation that facilitates the growth and success of the UK’s startup ecosystem. 

The action research project entailed close collaboration with the OneTech and Capital Enterprise teams, 78 interviews with programme participants, delivery team, project partners and mentors, as well as focus groups and an alumni survey.  

Organisational links were established by Ben Cole, Head of Strategic Projects at Loughborough University London FutureSpace, and the research was supported by Dr Chris Carter from Nottingham University Business School, as well as a group of postgraduate researchers from Loughborough University London, including Ibrahim Abdullahi, Aisyah Haji-Awang, Leon Jacken, Pauline Shabani, and Zaineb El-Maddarsi. Participant researcher and femtech founder Bella Ngo and research coordinators Karel Green and Jemiel Hill also contributed to the project’s success. 

Emerging from the research were five key project learnings: 

  • A diverse range of participants with differing needs 
  • Educational programming and the Matthew effect 
  • Enabling collaborative leadership and mutually beneficial partnership with underrepresented groups 
  • Perception of the organisation 
  • Challenging and changing normative culture 

From these five themes, the research team developed 18 recommendations for policy and practice.  

The video captures some of the key recommendations gathered from the research and is aimed at those responsible for building equal, diverse and inclusive tech start-up ecosystems, including policymakers, leaders, programme designers, delivery teams, funders, and project partners. 

The written policy brief - which delves deeper into the project overview, learnings, and recommendations - is available to download, alongside a good practice checklist, for free from the OneTech website here.   

Alongside her work as a researcher, Dr Martinez Dy has played a pivotal part in the University’s EDI-related efforts. Angela proposed and is the inaugural Strategic Architect for the LU Race Equity Strategy, Co-Chair of the EDI Advisory Forum, and Student Liaison for the BAME Staff Network, of which she was formerly Advocacy Lead. Her personal academic website is accessible here

For more information about the research, please contact Dr Martinez Dy by emailing A.Dy@lboro.ac.uk.  

Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2020 QS World University Rankings and top in the country for its student experience in the 2018 THE Student Experience Survey.

Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 4th in the Guardian University League Table 2020, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 and 8th in The UK Complete University Guide 2020.

Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

Specialising exclusively in postgraduate-level study, Loughborough University London is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers cutting-edge master’s and PhD degrees, as well as business collaboration, research and enterprise opportunities.

The seven specialist institutes at Loughborough University London include: Design Innovation, Digital Technologies, Diplomacy and International Governance, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, International Management, Media and Creative Industries, and Sport Business. Close industry partnerships with a wealth of leading businesses and creative organisations means teaching and learning is informed by real-life challenges and driven by true industry pressures.