The Smart Products Made Smarter (SPMS) project is committed to developing a research environment where equality, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) are at the centre of our research. Our goal is to build an open and respectful research community that values different perspectives, experiences and skills across academia and industry. We try to ensure that every individual (student, PDRA, academic and industrial collaborator) involved in the project feels supported, respected, and inspired to contribute fully to our project.
Recruitment
SPMS actively encourages applications from underrepresented groups and works to ensure an inclusive and transparent recruitment process for all research and professional roles. Recruitment panels are balanced in composition and trained in fair selection practices, while decisions are made collectively to minimise bias.
Training and Awareness
All members of the SPMS research community undertake equality and inclusion training appropriate to their role. This includes Unconscious Bias Training for academics and professional staff, and a mandatory Diversity in the Workplace course for PhD students and PDRAs. We also embed discussions of responsible and ethical research within our training programmes ensuring responsible research and innovation practices.
Support
The project promotes a collaborative and supportive culture that values teamwork and shared learning across disciplines and challenges. Regular team meetings and workshops are structured to encourage participation from all researchers, helping to reduce isolation and build connections across work packages. Cross-institutional and cross-project events further strengthen the sense of community and provide opportunities for mentoring and peer learning.
The SPMS project operates in partnership with the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University, and is fully aligned with both institutions’ equality, diversity and inclusion frameworks. These can be found at the links below: