Study with us
Equality, diversity and inclusion
EDI Committee
We identify and implement effective working practices to build a supportive environment for our diverse members of staff.
We tackle a range of issues such as ethnic diversity, transgender rights and disability issues.
Current staff members are welcome to make suggestions for improving support for equality and diversity.
Group members
- Asif Ahmad - Equality and Diversity Champion
- Emma Cooke - Student Services Coordinator
- Nahid Farnaz - Athena Swan Coordinator
- Sarah Maynard - Head of Faculty Operations
- Yaprak Tavman - Lecturer (Undergraduate Admissions)
- Michael Thornton (Chair) - Professor and Head of Department
- Michelle Hickman - Athena Swan Administrator
Meet our staff
We aim to provide a working environment for equal participation at all levels. Meet some of our inspirational staff.
Women in economics
Professor Laura Coroneo
Professor and Coordinator of Centre for Applied Macro-Finance
Professor Laura Coroneo's expertise is in applied macro-finance, with a particular focus on econometrics and empirical finance. Her research concentrates on government bonds and understanding their relation to macroeconomic fundamentals.
On this topic, she has been awarded an ESRC Future Research Leaders grant. Laura is the Academic Coordinator for learning technology and the Deputy Chair of the Board of Studies.
Dr Maria Garcia Reyes
Dr Maria Garcia Reyes specialises in economic policy analysis, with a focus on sustainable development, inequality and criminology. Maria was the first teaching and scholarship contract in the Department of Economics and Related studies. Maria is known for her innovative approach, integrating real-world economic issues into the classroom to help students connect theory with practice. She has developed and taught a range of courses with a wide teaching portfolio. Maria holds a fellowship from the Higher Education Academy since 2020.
Maria has been serving as director of the Economics Pre-Sessional Course since 2011. Supervision Coordinator for DERS between 2016-2020 providing guidelines and mentoring for faculty on academic supervision to both undergraduate and graduate students. Overseeing the supervision practice. Former Chair of Department Teaching Committee overseeing teaching practices within the department and currently Chair of Board of Studies.
Maria is also committed to mentoring the next generation of economists, guiding students in their research and helping them to achieve their academic and professional goals.
Dr Khushboo Surana
Dr Khushboo Surana specializes in applied microeconomics, focusing on individual and household decision-making. Her research explores topics such as marriage and partner selection, marital stability, household choices, and individual welfare. She employs large-scale quantitative analysis, statistical inference, and structural economic modelling, often using revealed preference frameworks, to examine intrahousehold allocations and preferences across diverse contexts. By combining large-scale datasets with structural modelling, her work addresses key policy-relevant questions.
Dr Surana also serves as the PhD Placement Coordinator and Deputy Undergraduate Admissions Tutor.
Inclusive employment
The Department of Economics and Related Studies has been very supportive since I became a father in October 2023. After the end of my paternity leave, I was given a flexible working arrangement, which has enabled me to do nursery drop offs and pick ups. This is very important, as my wife’s working hours have very little flexibility. This, combined with the general flexibility in meeting schedules and formats within the Department, has been instrumental in allowing me to fulfil both my parental and professional duties.
Andrea Papadia, Lecturer
Supporting staff and students
At York, we have various sources of support and information about equality, diversity and inclusion. Every department has an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion who acts as a visible and proactive advocate of EDI within their department.
Regular events are held to raise awareness of present-day barriers and highlight ongoing work to remove such challenges across the University.
Advice, guidance and information for students, and for staff supporting students, on equality related issues.
Information about University-wide EDI initiatives, staff networks, and health and wellbeing support.
