EDI in Action: Best Practices and Future Directions

From EDI committees to EDI action plans, academic and research institutions have been increasing efforts to address inequities and systemic barriers that have marginalized historically excluded groups from pursuing higher education and research-based careers.

What types of EDI initiatives are being implemented by EDI practitioners and how effective are they? How can the next generation of researchers, scientists and students contribute to making their environments more equitable and inclusive?

With the support of NSERC's Dimensions and Simon Fraser University, join Science & Policy Exchange as we bring you this four-part EDI workshop!

Where: Zoom

When: September 11th, 2021

Cost: Free!

AI-powered English closed-captions will be available. Additional accessibility features can be made available upon request; contact us at contact@sp-exchange.ca.

You are invited to register for the entire event, or to select individual sessions of your preference. Panellist biographies can be found at the end.

11 AM - 12 PM ET: NSERC Dimensions Presentation

In 2019, Dimensions: equity, diversity and inclusion Canada launched its Charter and pilot program aimed at supporting post-secondary institutions seeking to increase equity, diversity and inclusion in their environments. In this session, Dimensions will present outcomes from their pilot program, and they will discuss the future of the Dimensions Award program.

Meet our panellist: Nathalie Podeszfinski from NSERC's Dimensions

This session will be live-streamed and recorded on our YouTube page.

12:15 PM - 1:45 PM ET: NSERC Dimensions Workshop

What makes a good EDI action plan? What are important key indicators, and how do we monitor their impact? In this workshop led by the Dimensions team, join us to learn how to develop an effective EDI action plan.

Meet our facilitators: Katie Saulnier & Nathalie Podeszfinski from NSERC's Dimensions

This session will NOT be live-streamed or recorded. LIMITED space.

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM ET: EDI Practitioner Panel

How do university faculty and administrators, EDI researchers, and funding agencies contribute to meaningful EDI action in academic institutions? In this panel, five EDI practitioners will discuss best practices in EDI initiatives, current obstacles to their successful implementation, and future priorities and directions.

Meet our panellists: Jocelyn Baker (Brock University), Karine Morin (NSERC), Nancy Hansen (University of Manitoba), Andrzej Tereszkowski (McGill University), Jessica Vandenberghe (University of Alberta).

This session will be live-streamed and recorded on our YouTube page.

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM ET: Student Panel

How can students initiate EDI action in their own organizations? In this panel, five students will discuss their experiences advocating for and implementing EDI initiatives, shedding light on practical tips and resources, as well as current barriers and future opportunities.

Meet our panellists: Karine Coen-Sanchez (University of Ottawa), Taylor Morriseau (University of Manitoba), Karen Tang (Dalhousie University), Carolyn Tinglin (Simon Fraser University), Hannah Wakeling (McGill University).

This session will be live-streamed and recorded on our YouTube page.

Questions for panellists can be pre-submitted into a form that will be posted here in the upcoming days.

Questions in both English and French are welcome! We note that a French version of this workshop will take place afterwards.

The link for the event will be sent the day before.

Science & Policy Exchange is a Montreal-based student-led charity aimed at bridging the gap between science and society by highlighting the impact of science policy.

For more information, visit: sp-exchange.ca