Advancing anti-racism and equity requires both dedicated leadership and collective action. The Program Area Leads (PALs) network brings together staff and faculty leaders across campus whose roles are specifically dedicated to this work. By aligning efforts across the university, PALs foster a coordinated and strategic approach to advancing anti-racism and equity at the University of Waterloo.
PALs contribute to institutional transformation by:
- Advancing anti-racism and equity through a collective, coordinated, and adaptable approach.
- Fostering meaningful and lasting impact by addressing the evolving needs of the campus community.
- Strengthening institutional capacity by working through challenges together, fostering collective learning across departments and faculties to create a more inclusive and equitable university.
Background
The Program Area Leads (PALs) initiative launched in 2022 as part of the 85th recommendation of the President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce (PART) to embed equity and anti-racism across campus. More than 25 staff, faculty, and postdoctoral scholars from various units volunteered to drive systemic change through structured learning and application. They explored topics such as Inclusive Leadership, Anti-Black Racism, Indigenization, and 2SLGBTQ+ and Gender Equity, applying these concepts to real campus scenarios through case studies.
While this approach increased awareness, sustained, systemic transformation requires dedicated roles, strong leadership, and peer collaboration are essential for meaningful change. For continued learning, campus partners can engage in development through the EDI-R Community of Practice, while PALs now serve as a strategic platform to align efforts and strengthen institutional capacity for systemic change.