The Department of Economics Unveils Sculpture Celebrating its Commitment to Advancing EDI through Community, Research and Teaching.
The University of Oxford's Department of Economics is pleased to announce the installation of a new sculpture celebrating our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
Titled “Gathering with Strangers, Embracing Diversity”, the sculpture by artist Wendy Freestone will be prominently displayed in the Department atrium. Sponsored by Procter & Gamble, the artwork symbolises the importance of bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds, encouraging understanding and connection. The Department aims for this sculpture to act as a lasting representation of our commitment to advancing equality and inclusivity in our community and beyond through our teaching and research.
In conjunction with the unveiling, the department will officially launch the Centre for Quantitative Diversity Studies, an interdisciplinary research centre that will focus on quantitative approaches to exploring diversity. By uniting scholars from different fields, the Centre will generate innovative insights and explore the complexities of diversity through evidence-based analysis.
The Department is also celebrating our recent Silver Athena Swan Award, recognising our significant progress since receiving Bronze in 2018. This recognition reflects the Department’s ongoing efforts to create an inclusive environment for all staff and students. As the first Economics department to receive this prestigious award, the Department continues to lead by example in promoting EDI in higher education.
Department of Economics, Head of Department, Johannes Abeler commented:
"We are proud to unveil this sculpture, which symbolises our commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse community. It represents the values that guide not only our teaching and research but also the working environment we strive to create. Our recent achievements, including the Silver Athena Swan Award and the launch of the Centre for Quantitative Diversity Studies, reflect our ongoing dedication to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work."
Procter & Gamble, Senior Director of Human Resources, Andy Sharman commented:
“We are proud of our long-standing partnership with the Department of Economics and are honoured to be sponsoring the sculpture that represents our shared aspirations to create a culture where equal access and opportunity to learn, grow, succeed and thrive are available to everyone. The sculpture serves as a long term reminder of our on-going commitment to celebrate the richness of diversity and deliver on the promise of respect, inclusion, and belonging for all.”
The Department would like to extend a special thank you to Jemma Clouston Pile from TWIST Art for her help connecting us with artist Wendy Freestone and facilitating the installation of the sculpture.
