Research

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) In Research

In alignment with and advancement of UTSC’s strategic institutional and U of T’s strategic research priorities, the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Office (EDIO) and the Office of the Vice-Principal Research & Innovation (OVPRI) are committed to embedding Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in every stage of the research lifecycle. Ultimately, our aim is to cultivate a climate where all members of the research community experience equitable, inclusive, accessible and unbiased systems, procedures and practices and have the full potential to thrive.

There are supports and resources available on campus to inform and enhance researchers’ efforts of integrating EDI in your research. This page serves as a starting point to the journey, as relevant campus resources continue to evolve and expand. For research-specific services and supports, please reach out to Dr. Ariella Lukach, Director of UTSC’s Office of the Vice-Principal Research & Innovation.

Equity In Research

Embedding equity in research entails advancing awareness of the various barriers encountered and working to eradicate those barriers. In research practice, this entails identifying the dimensions and degrees of barriers that exist and emerge in the research team environment and employing practices to eradicate them, ensure fairness and support full participation of team members in the research process. In research design, this entails identifying the dimensions and degrees of barriers that emerge at every stage of the research process, from conception to dissemination, and eradicating them to ensure research is conducted fairly.

Equity is interlinked with diversity and inclusion: equity ensures that everyone (e.g., on a diverse team) has fair access to participation, opportunities, and advancement. The extent to which individuals feel a sense of inclusion is driven and influenced by equity.

Diversity in Research

Embedding diversity in research entails the representing and valuing of differences across individuals and within and across groups (including but not limited to race, place of origin, religion, immigrant and newcomer status, ethnic origin, dis/ability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, class, conditions, expressions, and experiences). In research practice, this entails valuing and representing diversity across the team (e.g., environment, culture, processes and structures). In research design, this entails valuing and representing diversity at every stage of research, from conception to dissemination.

Diversity is interlinked with equity and inclusion: Diversity illuminates the many dimensions of difference and foregrounds the importance for equitable and inclusive practices.

Inclusion In Research

Embedding inclusion in research entails cultivating conditions where full participation is possible and individuals (and their contributions) are recognized, respected, and valued. In research practice, this entails fostering research team environments where full participation at every stage of the research process is possible. In research design, this entails carefully considering how individuals are invited to participate in research (e.g., participants, partnerships, etc.) and the ways in which their contributions are valued and incorporated at every stage of research, from conception to dissemination.

Inclusion is interlinked with equity and diversity: Inclusion is made possible when practices, processes, and structures are equitable. Inclusion also creates conditions where diversity flourishes.

Institutional and Federal Commitments

The following intuitional and federal commitments underpin what we do.

Relevant institutional policy statements and guidelines

For convenience, the links to some of the relevant institutional policy statements and guidelines are listed below.

Working groups

Additional FAQs and Resources

Explore relevant resources organized by frequently asked questions. Please note, the collection of resources provided on this page will evolve and expand over time. In addition, the categories and resources listed are, therefore, not an exhaustive list. If you have questions regarding any of the resources listed or general inquiries about embedding EDI in research, please reach out to our office. For research-specific support, please reach out to UTSC’s Office of the Vice-Principal Research & Innovation.