Championing Diversity and Career Opportunities at UEL

My name is Dr Theodora Thomadaki, and I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Founding Scholar of the British Psychoanalytic Council. Throughout my career, I have been deeply committed to creating transformative opportunities for students, particularly those from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.

At the University of East London (UEL), I serve as the Employer Engagement Officer for the School of Architecture, Computing, and Engineering. In this role, I have the unique opportunity to bridge the gap between academia and industry, fostering partnerships and initiatives that equip students with the confidence, skills, and networks they need to thrive in competitive job markets.

Our students are exceptionally talented, driven, and bring a wealth of diverse perspectives to their studies. However, many face significant barriers when navigating the job market. This is where my role becomes essential. I collaborate with industry partners to provide invaluable opportunities, offering students the exposure, guidance, and support they need to build self-confidence, resilience, and realise their potential. We ensure our students understand that they already possess the skills required to succeed—they simply need the chance to showcase their abilities.

A cornerstone of my work is my passion for securing partnerships for the award-winning Diversity of Thought (DoT) Programme, which received the AGCAS Award for Excellence in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity. This initiative plays a vital role in enhancing social mobility by helping students secure competitive graduate roles.

Since joining UEL in 2022, I have had the privilege of establishing numerous DoT partnerships with industry leaders, including IBM, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Grimshaw, McLaren Group, VML, Colas Rail, ITV, and SecurityHQ, among others.

Each DoT programme, developed in collaboration with industry leaders, focuses on mentoring, work-based learning, and professional exposure to current recruitment trends. These programmes provide UEL students with invaluable insights into professional environments and equip them with the tools needed to excel in their careers.

In addition to DoT, I launched the UEL Job Shadowing Initiative, which enables students in fields such as Architecture, Interiors, and Product Design to gain industry experience. Over the past three years, I have secured job shadowing placements for 60 students annually in architectural firms, some of whom have transitioned into permanent roles. This initiative has proven effective in helping students acquire practical skills while forging connections with industry leaders.

The success of my work is the result of the collective efforts of UEL’s Careers and Student Enterprise team. Together, we are shaping the future of our students and empowering them to become the leaders of tomorrow.

I am honoured to receive the David Coughtrie Leadership Award, a recognition that marks a deeply meaningful moment in both my personal and professional journey. This award not only acknowledges my work but also highlights the dedication and collaborative spirit of the incredible team at UEL.

For anyone interested in partnering with UEL, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at t.thomadaki@uel.ac.uk.