EDI in CNAS

Everyone in the College of Natural and Applied Sciences has a role to play in learning about and taking action to advance equity, diversity and inclusion.

EDI activities completed:

• Partner with WISE Planet, developed by the NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering (Prairies).  
• Launched the CNAS EDI website
• Synthesized, reported, and held discussions with CNAS faculties about the results of the Student EDI census and 2023 workforce diversity census results.
• Consultations with faculty and department leaders, academic and non-academic staff, and student groups for the development of the university's new EDI Action Plan, and to identify EDI issues and priorities in CNAS.  A synthesis report was prepared for CNAS faculty leadership.
• Meetings with Facilities and Operations about the need for all-gender washrooms in the General Services Building.
• Developed a new CNAS-wide additional mentorship opportunity - launch forthcoming.
• Prepared resources for student groups in CNAS.

Ongoing EDI activities:

• Providing advice to vice-deans, department chairs, hiring committees, EDI committees, and others in CNAS.
• Developing, updating, and sharing resources for students, academic and non-academic staff, and leaders in CNAS. 
• Providing EDI advice for the development of new programs.
• Regular meetings with CNAS vice-deans to advance EDI in the College.
• Developing and sharing EDI education resources across the College.
• Working with Vice-Provost (EDI) on University level initiatives.   
• Working with College EDI leads to bring together EDI leaders and committees across campus.

EDI committees

The Associate Dean (EDI) provides advice to faculty and department EDI committees within the College, who play an important role in advancing equity, diversity and inclusion  

• Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science
• Biological Sciences
• Computing Science
• Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
• Psychology
• Renewable Resources
• Faculty of Science

Student groups + opportunities

• Ada’s Team: Promotes diversity in computing science, games, technology, engineering and mathematics at U of A
• Diversity in Engineering (also the local EngiQueers chapter): Seeks to advance equity in access to engineering programs and employment opportunities
• FEM+ Engineering Mentorship Program
• Grace Anne Stewart Speaker Series: Student-led effort to connect students and faculty of the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences to a greater diversity of geoscientists
• IBET Momentum Fellowship: National call to Indigenous and Black scholars to pursue full-time PhD studies in any engineering discipline at U of A
• Scientific QUEERies: Seminar series that welcomes LGBTQ2S+ speakers from all STEM disciplines
• Turing Society: EDI and peer support group for U of A computing science graduate students
• UAP-JEDI: U of A physicists for justice, equality, diversity and inclusion
• UAWIC: Working for inclusivity in chemistry at U of A
• UA-WISE: Support and mentorship for undergraduate students under-represented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics 
• WiSER: Supports U of A graduate students and early-career professionals in science, technology, engineering and mathematics from academia, government, and industry in Edmonton

Engaging children and youth

• AlbertaSat is a group of students and faculty at the University of Alberta who design, build, test, launch, and operate satellites and are engaged in educational outreach.  
• ELITE (Experiential Learning in Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship) Program for Black Youth creates opportunities for Black Youth between the ages of 15 and 22 to participate in paid internships to work on projects with university researchers, companies, and government agencies.
• Future Energy Systems at the University of Alberta provides a wide range of engagement opportunities for children and youth including resources for Alberta teachers and videos for children and youth, a children’s book series, charge up for an energy adventure, and science literacy week.   
• Let’s Talk Science is a national charitable organization which provides programs and resources to help improve youth education and engagement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
• Student group TeamUP Science provides hands-on learning, mentorship and networking opportunities in the science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) fields for youths especially inner city, rural, and Indigenous populations.     
• The USchool University of Alberta senate program brings to the University of Alberta campus grade 3-9 classes in socially vulnerable areas within Edmonton, Indigenous schools in Edmonton and the surrounding area, and rural schools surrounding Edmonton.
• WISEST (Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science, and Technology) focuses on empowering women and gender diverse students to pursue and succeed in science, engineering and technology. WISEST programs include the Choices conference, the SET conference, and the Summer research program.