Collecting Equity Data
In an effort to expand our understanding of employees so that we can better reflect the needs of our community in our programs and services, the Employee Equity Census asks comprehensive, self-identification questions in the following areas:
- disability
- Indigenous identity
- racial identity
- gender identity
- sexual identity
- religious or spiritual affiliation
- family education background
- Canadian residency status
Creating a more comprehensive data set about the UWaterloo community will inform how the University addresses areas where we are not adequately serving members of our community.
Learn more about the Employee Equity Census
Watch this video to learn more about the purpose of the Employee Equity Census, its development, and the team behind it.
If you have any questions about data collection, the methodology, or how information will be used, please email analysis@uwaterloo.ca.
Developing the Employee Equity Census
The initial Equity Survey was developed through an Equity Data Advisory Group in 2021. The Equity Data Advisory Group was made up of students and employees with expertise in equity data collection and/or lived experience as a member of an under-represented group. The Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Office (EDI-R) worked with Indigenous representatives, and groups such as the President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce (PART), the Black Faculty Collective, and student groups and associations to inform the survey development.
The group conducted an external scan (e.g., other University equity surveys, Statistics Canada, Ontario’s Anti-Racism Data Standards, community consultation), and ensured alignment with existing external and internal policies and legislation guidelines (Ontario’s Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Standards, and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act) for equity data collection, adapted for the University of Waterloo context.
Waterloo’s Survey Advisory Committee provided oversight of the survey development and implementation as per Policy 55). This Committee includes the University’s information stewards, privacy coordinator, representatives from the Office of Research Ethics, and an expert in survey methodologies.
In 2023, the survey questions were reviewed and updated by the EDI-R office and Indigenous Relations in consultation with campus partners.
The goal is to use socio-demographic data, alongside other data sources and information, to answer the following vital questions:
- How does the makeup of Waterloo's community compare to Waterloo Region, Ontario and Canada?
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Do campus community members across the University equally participate in the programs and services that Waterloo offers? How does participation compare across identities, and the overall University community? What are the gaps and how can they be addressed?
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Do some groups experience fewer benefits or more barriers while learning or working at Waterloo, compared to other groups and with the overall University community? What can be done to improve any gaps?