Events

The University of Waterloo will be celebrating International Women's Day virtually this year with a panel discussion and keynote speaker Emily Mills (founder of How She Hustles).

The panel will also feature Nada Basir (assistant professor at the Conrad School of Business and Entrepreneurship in the Faculty of Engineering), Carla Fehr (associate professor in UWaterloo’s Gender and Social Justice program within the Faculty of Arts), and Ellen MacEachen (associate professor with the School of Public Health Sciences in the Faculty of Health).

Further comments will be provided by:

• Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor
• Jean Becker, Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Relations, University of Waterloo
• Benjamin Easton, President, Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association, University of Waterloo

Please see attached links for more details about the event and how to register. 

Eventbrite Link: tinyurl.com/IDSTEM22

Workshops, Keynote Talks, Undergraduate Poster Competition, Graduate Program and Industry Expos

Twitter, Instagram: @IDinSTEM

Facebook.com/inspiringdiversityinstem

About Inspiring Diversity in STEM @ Western University

Diverse perspectives are important for scientific research and innovation, yet there is a lack of diversity and an underrepresentation of minority groups across the scientific fields. Moreover, individuals from minority groups face systemic and disproportionate barriers when pursuing a career in the sciences. We aim to inspire, engage, and empower any individual considering a career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Importantly, we also educate community members about gender, racial, and class bias and the systemic barriers that minority groups have faced beginning from early childhood. Our mission is to help break down the barriers faced by minority groups by educating the community on best hiring practices and student evaluations, highlighting representative role models, cultivating early research skills, and providing a supportive community. Together, we are building an inclusive community dedicated to helping future leaders achieve their goals.

The Inspiring Diversity in STEM 2022 Conference will feature an outstanding line up of keynote speakers, academic skills workshops, undergraduate poster competition, graduate program expo, and industry expo.

Please note, due to the nature of the ongoing pandemic, we have made the decision that this year’s IDSTEM conference will be virtual. We are committed to bringing you an an excellent and interactive virtual conference. More details will be announced as the conference date approaches.

We hope to see you there!

The Indigenous & Black Engineering and Technology (IBET) PhD Project is a partnership of almost 15 Canadian universities committed to reducing the systemic barriers that exist for Indigenous and Black scholars pursuing doctoral degrees in STEM programs. 

Join us to learn how the IBET PhD Project provides financial support and fosters a supportive and respectful academic community.

Hear from the Director of IBET, current fellows and a mentor, and have your questions answered during a live virtual Q&A.

To register for this event, please fill out this webform.

Join the conversation on inclusive entrepreneurship within Waterloo’s innovation ecosystem, in partnership with LiftOff by the Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region. Engage with key panelists who will share unique perspectives and insights on what’s happening today and moving forward, including a focus on UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Panelists*

• Kathy Hogarth, Dean of Social Work at Laurier 
• Chris Farrell, Manager of Entrepreneurship Services City of Kitchener at the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre
• Sonya Denton, LiftOff Founder
• Naudia Banton, Entrepreneurship and Technology Advisor at the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre 
• Trevor Charles, LiftOff Director and professor of biology at the University of Waterloo

Co-operative & Experiential Education (CEE) and the Faculty of Mathematics are showing our support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community on the International Day of Pink. Taking place on Wednesday, April 13th, this University-wide initiative includes the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Anti-Racism Office, W Store, and members of Waterloo's Gender & Sexual Diversity Alliance, among others. 

Registrants for this event can show their support by:

1. Wearing Pink on April 13th! If you don't already have something to wear, consider supporting the International Day of Pink Website (via their Shop/Boutique link on their webpage) or ordering from the W Store:
   • Pink Youth Shirt
   • Pink Adult Shirt
   • Clipboard (Available in pink)
   • Notebook (Available in pink)
   • Pink Pin
2. Changing your social media images or virtual meeting backgrounds using the materials on the International Day of Pink Website.
3. Educating yourself to be a better coach and mentor in cases of bullying and harassment.
4. Participating in our educational trivia event on April 13th from 12 - 12:30 pm.

Using the latest research, this workshop will begin to uncover how mainstream pornography changes our thought patterns by what it teaches us - both consciously and unconsciously, and we will discuss what’s needed to ethically consume pornographic content. FYI – in this workshop, we will not show explicit photos or videos, but will discuss these themes from an academic lens; including a brief history of how pornography creation and consumption has changed over time.

Ever wonder how social media fuels the fight for gender equity, as well as the fight against inclusion and integrity for all? In this workshop we will use real-life examples to understand how social media can manipulate us into interacting within a social media echo chamber, and how that can change our way of thinking, for better and worse, regarding our views on sexual and gender-based violence.

So many of our personal interactions happen online (especially now with Covid), including our intimate interactions. This raises the question of how do we navigate consent within digital spaces? This workshop will unpack the ways in which social media and other forms of technology impact our relationships, & through honest and shame-free conversations, participants will learn about consent with respect to sharing nude photos, experiencing online harassment, and more.

What does it mean to be a male ally? In this workshop, participants will learn about the process of allyship, including understanding our own power and privilege; & we will unpack the role that men have to play in ending sexual and gender-based violence. Participants will also learn tangible steps they can use to support survivors of sexual violence.

In June, in honour of Indigenous History Month, we invite and encourage you to appreciate the rich culture and heritage of Indigenous peoples, while learning more about the atrocities that Indigenous communities have faced and continue to face today.

Discover Indigenous History Month reading suggestions, programs, educational resources and community events at WPL from now until the end of June.