Diba Keyhanfar
CDT Student
A little over 11 years ago, at the age of 16, I embarked on a solo journey leaving my home and family behind in search of a higher quality education and personal independence. However, I began advocating for my rights and striving for inclusion within society long before moving to a foreign country. A year ago, I would have found myself writing lengthy explanations for this, but today, there is a heightened awareness among people regarding the daily challenges that women in Iran encounter.
I am genuinely grateful to have found myself in London since the age of 18, a vibrant community that encompasses individuals from diverse backgrounds across the globe. Throughout my ongoing PhD studies, the extensive network of friends, colleagues, and mentors has played a pivotal role in boosting my self-assurance and enabling me to showcase my full potential. I can't help but contemplate whether I would have experienced less dissatisfaction and found more enjoyment in my undergraduate degree if I had been surrounded by such a supportive community. Undoubtedly, this can be attributed in part to the significance placed on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and the dedicated focus given to it within my postgraduate program.
I believe that there is still ample room for improvement and a tremendous opportunity to cultivate a more diverse scientific community. I am hoping to contribute my insights and ideas, stemming from both positive and negative experiences in the past and collaborate with others, to assist the program in attaining this ultimate objective.