Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Equity, diversity and inclusivity training opportunities for faculty members

A message from the Office of Research.

The University of Waterloo is committed to supporting faculty members to build their competencies related to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusive practices in their teams and research. The Inclusive Research team in the Office of the Vice-President, Research and International is working to provide ongoing development and capacity building for researchers, as outlined in the Inclusive Research Implementation Strategy. We will be offering several learning opportunities over the coming months in support of developing equitable and inclusive research practices.

The sessions will be hybrid, with a Zoom link and in-person attendance in EC5-3167. Two sessions on each topic are being offered to allow for scheduling conflicts, but the content will be identical. Please attend only one. The presentation portion of the three sessions will be recorded – though not the Q+A period – and will be posted to the Inclusive Research Resource Hub for future reference and access. Light refreshments will be provided. Please note the OCAP session on June 6 will not be recorded, but there will be future opportunities to participate in similar sessions.

Please register for your participation in these sessions here a week in advance of your selection(s). 

The Foundation: Building Inclusive Teams

Dr. Sharlee Cranston-Reimer, Research Equity Advisor

• May 30, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.;
• May 31, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Research shows that building inclusive research teams promotes research excellence. This presentation will take researchers through the necessary steps to identify EDI barriers on their teams, make a plan to address the barriers, and to review the outcomes of the actions they have taken and plan for the future.

First Nations Principles of OCAP® Virtual Presentation

• June 6, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The First Nations principles of OCAP® establish how First Nations’ data and information will be collected, protected, used, or shared. Standing for ownership, control, access and possession, OCAP® is a tool to support strong information governance on the path to First Nations data sovereignty. Given the diversity within and across Nations, the principles will be expressed and asserted in line with a Nation’s respective world view, traditional knowledge, and protocols. For more information, please visit: https://fnigc.ca/ocap-training/. For the OCAP session, please register here.

What is GBA+ Anyway?

Adrianna Tassone, Inclusive Research Coordinator

• June 19, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.;
• June 21, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) is an important tool for embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in every stage of research from design to sharing results and other outputs. But what is it, and how is it done? This presentation will go over the basics of GBA+ including examples that highlight its usefulness in fields where EDI concerns may not be immediately apparent, steps researchers can take, and questions they can ask themselves to start the GBA+ analysis of their research.

Inclusive Research Tools: Identifying and Addressing Barriers

Tamara Zur, Senior Manager, Research Equity

• July 17, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.;
• July 19, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

A question that often comes to the Inclusive Research team from researchers is “what are the top three things I can do to embed EDI my work?” This session will help researchers identify ways to understand potential barriers that may exist in their research program, project and/or teams and will provide ideas for concrete and tangible actions to meaningfully address them.  

We hope you are able to attend, and we welcome suggestions for future sessions at research.equity@uwaterloo.ca.

United College and St. Jerome's University launch library collection partnership

St. Jerome’s President Peter Meehan (left) , and United College Principal Rick Myers (right), presumably signing their new library cards.

By Rebecca Wagner.

The university colleges at the University of Waterloo have a deep history of collaboration and offer a rich tradition of social connection and community in support of students as they progress on their academic journeys.  

In an example of the type of partnership the university colleges are known for, staff, faculty, alumni, and students from United College and St. Jerome’s University came together on May 3, 2023, to officially launch an exciting new academic collaboration.  

As quality academic programs need quality library resources, United College and St. Jerome’s have partnered to provide, and host, two brand-new collections.  

The Brenda Simpson Collection in Indigenous Studies and The Helga Mills Collection in Human Rights will be permanently housed at the newly renovated St. Jerome’s library.     

The collections are named after individuals with strong ties to the United College community and rich histories of service.  Brenda Simpson, a former United College Board Chair and current member of the university’s Indigenous Advisory Circle, has a life-long passion for educating others.  Helga Mills, a former Principal of United College, lived a life dedicated to the principles of social justice, championing women’s rights and the rights of all the oppressed.  

“St. Jerome's University is excited to partner with United College on these two significant collections. As part of our Strategic Plan, these initiatives directly support our mandate to build an equitable, diverse, inclusive community. St. Jerome's is committed to preparing future leaders that can contribute positively to the common good of society, and this speaks to how we are going about this important work,” says Peter Meehan, President and Vice Chancellor of St. Jerome’s University.

The housing of this shared library collection is a mutually beneficial arrangement for United College and St. Jerome’s, with substantial value-add for students.  

United College is responsible for financing the new collections, which align with the academic and institutional mission of both institutions.  In return, St. Jerome’s will host and manage the collections in its lovely new facility.  This library of resources is accessible to students based at the university colleges and is available for all University of Waterloo students across the university’s various campuses.  

“This partnership highlights the best of what both institutions have to offer,” says United College Principal, Rick Myers. “Working closely with our friends and neighbours to create value and lasting impact for students is part of what makes the university college experience unique. I look forward to future collaborations that further our respective mandates and enhance students’ academic journeys.”      

These collections are hosted in a spirit of partnership and collaboration, in recognition of a shared commitment to helping students thrive and are offered in the name of two exceptional individuals who live, and lived, by these very values.

Volunteer Fair connects students with community agencies

The Centre for Career Action and EDGE will be hosting the Spring 2023 Volunteer Fair on Wednesday, May 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Student Life Centre Great Hall. This event offers students an opportunity to meet local organizations that are recruiting volunteers.  

Representatives from 30 local organizations will be present to speak with current students about their organization’s mission and volunteering needs. 

Volunteering is a great way to develop skills and gain experiences that can be showcased on a résumé and discussed in an interview. For those looking to give back to the community, it is a fulfilling way to contribute to local causes. It also provides an excellent opportunity for networking. 

For more information, please contact Lindy Bancroft, Career Programming and Events Specialist.