Black History Month Reception
Attendees at the BHM reception were treated to a fascinating talk by Janet Collyer MBE, one of the foremost experts in quantum hardware and cybersecurity. Janet was born in the U.K. and educated partly in Uganda before attending (Girton) Cambridge, where she was one of only three women in her engineering class. Told that her first choice of working in the oil and gas industry was impossible because oil rigs were not fitted out for women, she was steered into making semiconductors and never looked back. Today she is Chair of Quantum Dice, a Member of the National Physics Laboratory, and a Member of the UK government’s Semiconductor Advisory Panel. Janet’s took us through the history of semiconductors and their place in the economy. Her career has been focused on the tangible benefits of the tech industry for people. An interesting example is the potential for using AI to create one ‘personal health pill ’, eliminating the need for multiple prescriptions. Following the talk, attendees mingled as they enjoyed a delicious hot meal of African and Caribbean cuisine.
Great Minds Think Differently
The Diversity Group sponsored a talk and discussion with David Oppenheimer, Co-Director, Berkeley Center on Comparative Equality & Anti-Discrimination Law at UC Berkeley. His recent book The Diversity Principle: The Story of a Transformative Idea, discusses the impact and evolution of the concept of diversity. David’s book shows that diversity as a principle – meaning that it has value in and of itself – is neither new nor American in origin. It began in the U.K. with John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor Mill and in Germany with Wilhelm von Humboldt, who created the first research university. After tracing the origins of DEI, its transfer to the US and its evolution to encompass free speech, education and business, David discussed the voluminous research that diversity improves outcomes because ‘Great minds don’t think alike. They think differently.’ The final topic was the current ‘war on diversity.’ We had a stimulating discussion where attendees added their own expertise, thoughts and questions into the mix before tucking into scrumptious canapés.
Next DIACG Event
HE Ravshan Usmanov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan, will speak at the Eid al Fitr Dinner on 25 March 2027
Join the DIACG
Interested in Joining the Diversity Group? Please contact Carol at diversitygroup@nlc.org.uk
New NLC members are especially welcome.