Apply for IMPACT
We expect that applications for IMPACT 2025 will open in the spring.
If you have any questions, please contact the EDI Centre.
IMPACT development programme video
Training overview
IMPACT stands for Imperial Positive About Cultural Talent. It is a talent development programme for staff who identify as being from a minority ethnic group.
IMPACT helps staff who wish to further their careers by developing and fine-tuning both new and existing skills and talents. IMPACT delegates utilise their different cultural approaches and set themselves SMART career objectives. Key elements of IMPACT are the endorsement of senior leaders, multicultural awareness, and the involvement of managers.
The programme attempts to address some of the issues faced by some minority ethnic staff. Statistics show that the majority of minority ethnic staff occupy lower-level positions despite possessing qualifications and skillsets equivalent to those of none minority origin. IMPACT helps individuals to take responsibility for their own careers and develop strategies to overcome barriers that they may face.
Key information
- The programme consists of seven workshops and four project group meetings, spread over several months.
- All workshops must be attended in order to successfully complete the programme and receive accreditation.
- The programme has been developed and is delivered by Imperial's EDI Centre. It is endorsed by the CPD Certification Service.
- There is no charge for Imperial staff.
- We do accept external delegates on IMPACT, at a cost of £1,750. To enquire about attending the course as an external delegate, please email the EDI Centre.
IMPACT for Managers
Alongside IMPACT, we run a programme called IMPACT for Managers. The aim is to build contemporary managerial knowledge, and a toolkit of techniques for embedding race-inclusion into everyday management practices. The course is especially recommended for those who are managing a staff member who is attending IMPACT, but it is not limited to those managers.
The sessions for the two programmes are separate - if you participate in IMPACT and your manager participates in IMPACT for Managers, you will not attend any workshops with your manager.
Whether or not your manager is attending IMPACT for Managers will not affect the outcome of your application for IMPACT.
IMPACT 2024 schedule
Workshop 1
What is IMPACT? | Culture and intersectionality | Initial goal setting
Friday 7 June 2024, 09.30 - 16.30, in person (South Kensington Campus)
By the end of this session, participants will:
- Have a clear focus when it comes to their career and development goals;
- Have awareness of different cultural competencies;
- Understand commitments involved throughout and following IMPACT.
Workshop 2
Leadership vs management | Cultural leadership
Wednesday 19 June 2024, 09.30 - 16.30, in person (South Kensington Campus)
By the end of this session, participants will:
- Recognise the difference between leadership and management;
- Understand organisational culture;
- Be aware of the impact culture has on operations, processes, and decisions;
- Know which qualities are useful in a leader.
Workshop 3
Overcoming personal barriers | Imposter Syndrome
Wednesday 26 June 2024, 09.30 - 16.30, in person (South Kensington Campus)
By the end of this session, participants will:
- Understand what imposter syndrome is and how to overcome the feeling using tools and techniques;
- Recognise their three personas and start their journey to composure;
- Have engaged in self-reflection and personal understanding to help overcome perceived personal barriers.
Workshop 4
Career pathways
Wednesday 17 July 2024, 09.30 - 16.30, in person (South Kensington Campus)
By the end of this session, participants will have:
- Learnt about how careers are changing across the world;
- Considered growth mindset and how it can enable performance and progression;
- Worked through the PROUD goal setting framework;
- Been encouraged to use a combination of learning methods to develop their careers;
- Defined which type of career moves they have made so far in their careers;
- Shared their real-life career story and listened to others;
- Set a personal action around their career development.
Workshop 5
Assertive communication
Wednesday 31 July 2024, 09.30 - 16.30, in person (South Kensington Campus)
By the end of this session participants will:
- recognise the difference between assertiveness and other behavioural styles;
- identify personal barriers, which influence their ability to communicate assertively;
- understand how using assertive communication techniques can increase their confidence when responding to challenging situations;
- have practised assertive communication in specific situations of their choice;
- create an action plan to support the achievement of their personal assertive communication goals.
Workshop 6
Presentation skills
Wednesday 7 August 2024, 09.30 - 16.30, in person (South Kensington Campus)
By the end of this session participants will:
- know how to plan and structure presentations audiences will want to hear;
- understand how to deliver confident powerful presentations in their own personal style;
- leave with practical tips that will help them present confidently, connect with their audience and cope with nerves;
- create a personal action plan for becoming a confident and successful presenter.
Workshop 7
Leadership communication skills and practising difficult conversations
Wednesday 14 August 2024, 09.30 - 16.30, in person (away day - Central London)
This will be a lively and participative session looking at effective and assertive communication skills for leaders. How do you have conversations that impact and create positive change?
By the end of the day, participants will have:
- Understood the key principles of effective influencing;
- Practised and honed their skills in leading challenging conversations;
- Received personal coaching to enhance confidence;
- Laughed!
Graduation preparation session
Tuesday 3 September 2024, 10.00 - 12.00, online (Zoom)
During this session, delegates will have the opportunity to rehearse for the graduation ceremony by having a quick practice run-through of the day, including their group project presentations. They will receive feedback and encouragement from the EDI Centre facilitators and the other delegates so that they can put the finishing touches on their presentations.
The aim is for delegates to come away from the session feeling confident and ready for the graduation ceremony.
IMPACT graduation
Wednesday 11 September 2024, 11.00 - 13.00, in person (South Kensington Campus)
At the graduation ceremony, delegates will present their group projects and receive their certificates for completing the programme. Delegates' managers, colleagues, and friends and family are all warmly welcome at this event and we invite other guests such as senior leaders, so that we can all celebrate and recognise the achievements of the IMPACT delegates together.
This is always a wonderful celebration event for IMPACT delegates to have the opportunity to meet and network with people across the College, and conclude the programme with a feeling of pride and empowerment.
More information and FAQs
- What are the key benefits of IMPACT?
- Application timeline
- How will my application be assessed?
- How much time commitment is required for the programme?
- What kind of group project will I be working on?
- Cancellation policy
- How do I apply for the programme?
Need to cancel your training booking?
If a cancellation is made less than 5 working days before a training course, or if you fail to attend the full session, a charge will be levied. Please read Imperial's terms and conditions for internal training.
Some courses have specific cancellation policies that are detailed on their individual webpages.
