Equity, Diversity, Inclusion in Research
The University of Alberta is committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across our research and innovation ecosystem. Incorporating EDI strengthens our research by harnessing a broader range of ideas, skills, expertise, perspectives and disciplines, which further enhances outcomes, impacts and social relevance and better reflects the diverse and globalized world we live and work in, and our responsibilities to the peoples and the lands where we live and work.
The university is proud to be among the first signatories of the Government of Canada's Dimensions: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Canada charter. Dimensions Canada is a national program to increase EDI within Canada's post-secondary institutions and the university research ecosystem.
EDI in Research
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity in Research: An Action Plan is designed to assist with the advancement of EDI in research programs across the university. It provides actions, questions, and tools meant to help move EDI from an additive element required by Tri-Council agencies to an integrative element of transformative research.
Internal resources
- Office of the Vice Provost (Indigenous Programming & Research)
- Situated Knowledges: Indigenous Peoples and Place Virtual Colloquium 2020
- Indigenous Canada is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada.
- University of Alberta Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity Strategic Plan
- EDI at UAlberta
- Intersection of Gender signature area is an academic hub focused on intersectional gender research, supporting interdisciplinary research collaborations, and engaging communities across all sectors on gender + intersectionality.
External/funder resources
- Tri-Agency EDI Action Plan for 2018-2025
- Best Practices in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research - created for New Frontiers in Research Fund applicants but useful for all Tri-Council funding applicants.
- Setting New Directions to Support Indigenous Research and Research Training in Canada 2019-2022 - this Tri-Council plan, co-developed with Indigenous Peoples, addresses key principles of self-determination, decolonization of research, accountability and equitable access.
- Canada Research Chair EDI requirements and practices
- Tri-Agency unconscious bias in peer review (online module)
- Supporting Women in Research
- CIHR Impacts of integrating sex and gender in research
- Gender-based Analysis + (GBA+) - an analytical process to assess how diverse groups may experience policies, programs and initiatives.
- Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education
- Dimensions: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Canada - read the Dimensions Charter, find resources and tools and more.
Additional resources
- Underrepresented and Underpaid: Diversity & Equity Among Canada's Post-Secondary Education Teachers (2018)
- The Equity Myth: Racialization and Indigeneity at Canadian Universities (2017) - discusses barriers in academia faced by racialized and Indigenous faculty, including racism, unconscious or implicit biases such as curriculum vitae and/or accent bias among others.
- Strengthening Canada's Research Capacity: The Gender Dimension (2012) - highlights bias, stereotypes, lack of role models/mentors, and barriers faced by women in research.
- Are gender gaps due to evaluations of the applicant or the science? A natural experiment at a national funding agency (2019)
- How diversity makes us smarter (2014)
Indigenous Initiatives in Research
Indigenous Programming & Research
The Office of the Vice-Provost (Indigenous Programming & Research) facilitates institutional collaboration and communication to support the development and implementation of programs, services and initiatives related to Indigenous engagement. The office works to enable transformative institutional practices that respect and honour Indigenous knowledges across the University of Alberta.
Braiding Past, Present and Future: University of Alberta Indigenous Strategic Plan
The Indigenous Strategic Plan reflects an important step in the U of A's commitment to reconciliation in post-secondary education, research and addressing the historical legacy of the residential school system and Canada’s colonial history in a meaningful and lasting way.
U of A Resources
- EDI at the University of Alberta
This site collects a variety of campus information, services, and resources as it relates to EDI. - Centre for Teaching and Learning - EDI Resources
The Centre for Teaching and Learning EDI site provides resources to help faculty and teaching staff incorporate more inclusive teaching practices. - Situated Knowledges: Indigenous Peoples and Place
A core goal of SKIPP is to weave together much of the excellent research and teaching scholarship already present at the U of A, as well as recognize the long and storied relationships to place that characterize Indigenous ways of being throughout the world. - Indigenous Canada
A 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), Indigenous Canada explores the different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous peoples living in Canada. - University of Alberta Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity Strategic Plan
This strategic plan aims to embed Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity into the culture of the University of Alberta community, from the grassroots to the senior-most levels. - Intersections of Gender - A Signature Research Area
An academic hub focused on promoting intersectional gender research, supporting interdisciplinary research collaborations, growing inclusive mentorship and teaching, and engaging communities - Centre for Teaching and Learning
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) resources for teaching and learning
External/funder resources
- Tri-Agency EDI Action Plan for 2018-2025
- Best Practices in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research
created for New Frontiers in Research Fund applicants but useful for all Tri-Council funding applicants. - Setting New Directions to Support Indigenous Research and Research Training in Canada 2019-2022
This Tri-Council plan, co-developed with Indigenous Peoples, addresses key principles of self-determination, decolonization of research, accountability and equitable access. - Canada Research Chair EDI requirements and practices
- Tri-Agency unconscious bias in peer review (online module)
- Supporting Women in Research
- CIHR Impacts of integrating sex and gender in research
- Gender-based Analysis + (GBA+)
an analytical process to assess how diverse groups may experience policies, programs and initiatives. - Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education
- Dimensions: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Canada
read the Dimensions Charter, find resources and tools and more.
Faculty Leads for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (as of July 2022)
Arts: Carrie Smith, carrie.smith@ualberta.ca
Engineering: Anastasia Elias (Associate Dean Research and Innovation) aelias@ualberta.ca
FOMD: Helly Goez, goez@ualberta.ca
KSR: Danielle Peers, danielle.peers@ualberta.ca
Rehab Med: Andrea MacLeod, andrea.a.n.macleod@ualberta.ca
Science: Tara McGee, sciedi@ualberta.ca