EDI Featured Links and Articles

Featured in the Weekly Digest:

April 20, 2026: 

The world is a lot today. If it's getting to you, that's normal. Read this helpful article about "compassion collapse" and know that you are not alone.

April 13, 2026: 

It's just a joke, right? Yeah, no. New research shows that "disparagement humor," which attempts to amuse by putting down individuals from marginalized groups, has real consequences. It can cause an expansion of social norms to make some individuals feel that discriminatory or hostile behavior is acceptable in the work place. Want to learn even more? Check out this book from philospher Claire Horisk on "Dangerous Jokes: How Racism and Sexism Weaponize Humor."

April 6, 2026: 

Unfortunately, members of our community experience discrimination and harassment in the work environment. Even more unfortunately, navigating the byzantine reporting structure for various types of complains involving community members with varying roles, makes addressing discrimination and harassment even more challenging.
 
To help navigate U of T supports, check out these two resources:
 
U of T has recently created a webpage guide to navigating complaints.
 
CPS has also created a resource page with specific contact information associated with our department, our associated graduate departments and UTM (thanks to Minioli and other members of the EDI committee for their work on this).

March 30, 2026: 

March 31 is Transgender Day of Visibility. This has been a particularly challenging year for members of this community. Want to do more to show your support? Here are some really excellent, practical, thoughtful tips on being an ally.

March 23, 2026: 

A new US-based study explores why half a million women left the US workforce in 2025, citing caregiving responsibilities as a primary driver for this exodus. Although flexible work schedules, paid parental leave, and subsidized child care is often better in Canada, the study still shed important light on the choice that many women must make between career and family. 

March 16, 2026: 

This Friday, March 20, marks the beginning of spring - at 10:46 a.m, to be exact! This time also marks Nowruz, the start of the Persian new year, celebrated by Iranians and others around the world. One aspect of the celebration is the setting of the Haft Sin table, which contains seven (haft) symbolic items beginning with the Persian letter "s" (sin): sprouted grains, sweet pudding, dried fruit, vinegar, apple, garlic, and sumac. With instability and conflict on the rise around the world, particularly in Iran, this special day marks an opportunity for reflection. As noted by UNESCO: "As a celebration of the renewal of life, Nowruz has always been more than a seasonal change. It is a festival that reinforces bonds within families, communities, and even between nations. Today, Nowruz is celebrated by people from various religious and cultural backgrounds, reflecting a universal desire for renewal, peace, and prosperity. Its international recognition by UNESCO and the United Nations underlines its significance as a unifying cultural event in our increasingly interconnected world."

March 9, 2026: 

Yesterday marked the 115th celebration of International Women's Day, which celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and marks a call to action for advancing gender equality. This year's theme is "Give To Gain," emphasizing the power of the many ways that we all can support women, including donations, knowledge, resources, infrastructure, visibility, advocacy, education, training, mentoring, or time. The International Women's Day organization maintains a directory here of IWD GIVING organizations. 

March 2, 2026: 

In a massive study of workers on the management track, a new study in the American Economic Review documents that "Supervisors consistently rated women higher on performance but lower on potential than men." In order to address this potential bias, a study in the Harvard Business Review lays out three criteria that can be used to assess a candidate's potential. 

February 23, 2026: 

This Wednesday, February 25th, is Pink Shirt Day. It celebrates an act of kindness - a 9th grade Nova Scotian boy was bullied for wearing a pink shirt. On this day in 2007, two of his classmates bought and distributed 50 pink shirts to all the other boys in his class in order to show him support and stand up to bullying. Wear a pink shirt on Wednesday to show your support, and learn more about this celebration and bullying prevention here. 

February 16, 2026: 

Ramadan begins this evening, continuing through March 19. Observance of this ninth month of the Islamic calendar involves  fasting (sawm), communal prayer (salah), reflection, and community. Read this post to learn more about how to show support for your Ramadan-observing colleagues during this time.

February 9, 2026: 

The Milano Cortino 2026 Olympics started this weekend in Italy. As much fun as it is to watch these elite athletes from around the world, stay tuned for the Paralympics, which run March 6-15 in the same venue. Athletes with physical, vision, or intellectual impairments will complete in alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, curling, and ice hockey. Canada's is sending 16 people to the completion. "Classification" is critical to the integrity of the games, "aiming to minimize the impact of the impairment on athletes’ performance so that the sporting excellence determines which athlete or team is ultimately victorious." Read more about this process here, and about Canada's team here.

February 2, 2026: 

February Black History month, during which we recognize the excellence of Black Canadians who have emerged "as contributors, as builders, as participants, as collaborators in Canadian Society," in the words of the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first Black woman elected to Parliament. The dates align with the February birthdays of US President Abraham Lincoln and form slave an anti-slavery activist Frederick Douglass. You can see an interview with Jean Augustine here

January 26, 2026: 

The last year or more has seen a significant critical engagement with how we understand equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives. In this interesting article from the LA times, the authors explore the term "merit," which has become polarizing. They argue that although merit can be defined to favor certain groups and can reflects unearned advantages, it is still an essential component of evaluation. They say: "We don’t want to put merit at the center of human life. Instead, we claim more modestly that merit should play an important role in common institutional decisions, such as hiring, access to sought-after educational and professional opportunities, and conferral of awards and prizes. In these domains, embracing merit may have its flaws. But just like the adage that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others, merit is the worst form of assessment except all the others. Think of the major alternatives, which include popularity, wealth, cronyism, nepotism or a lottery system. Merit is clearly superior to these other options." Read the full article here

January 12, 2026: 

"Unconscious demotions" are the habit of assuming someone holds a lower professional role or status than they actually do, often based on stereotypes related to gender, race, or disability, leading to biased treatment and underestimation of their capabilities. For example, listen to this interview with Bryan Stevenson, an accomplished lawyer who has argued cases before the US Supreme Court, on being mistaken for a criminal defendant. Or this post about a US Senator insisting on calling a female pilot a "stewardess." When meeting someone for the first time, it's helpful to ask them to introduce themselves and their role before making assumptions.

January 12, 2026: 

A recent study shows, encouragingly, that "76% of employees want to be allies to co-workers who face additional challenges, and 84% value equity." However, this desire doesn't always get realized, in part because some people feel like "fakes," and worry they don't have the skills to offer effective support. Check out this interesting article in The Conversation about this study, which includes examples and strategies for moving around this roadblock. 

December 15, 2025: 

Open source software is an important part of making research more accessibile. However, as with other parts of online space, a recent study documents the increase in harassment, threats, name-calling, doxxing, and other harmful behaviors in the last few years on GitHub. Do your part to create a positive environment online such as posting constructively, signaling support, properly crediting contributions, and welcoming newcomers to online spaces.

December 8, 2025: 

December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women to honor the 14 women murdered at Polytechnique Montreal in 1989. Sexual violence remains a significant problem on campuses today. This important article summarizes the frequency of sexual assault and documents it's unsurprisingly negative effect on academic outcomes.

December 1, 2025: 

December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which you can read more about here. One simple step you can take in making your communications more accessible is using an accessible font. Atkinson hyperlegible font is available from the Braille Institute for free. It's pretty interesting - they've taken pains to deal with problems like distinguishing similar forms (e.g., B and 8 or O and 0, 1, I, i, and l... and if this was confusing to read, you can see why this font is a good idea). Download the font and read more about it here.

November 24, 2025: 

Patti Temple Rocks writes in her new book, I'm still Not Done: It's Time to Talk About Ageism In the Workplace, that Ageism is "the one form of discrimination that has the potential to impact all of us." Check out this interview with the author, which explores invisibility, marginalization, and even "benevolent" forms of ageism. 

November 17, 2025: 

November 20 is the Day of Trans Remembrance and Resilience, which you can read more about here. Check out this interesting post on the experience of two trans individuals in STEM fields. As you can imagine, there are plenty of barriers, but they found support within their communities as well. 

November 10, 2025: 

Want to make sure that your social media is accessible? Be careful about captioning and use of images! Here's a quick guide with a few great tips. 

November 3, 2025: 

The Tri-Agency EDI action plan for 2018-25 is up for review, and was debated in parliament last month. Other criteria are up for review as well. You can read the EDI action plan here  (https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/_doc/EDI/EDI-ActionPlan-EN.pdf), and learn more about the discussions this month here (https://universityaffairs.ca/news/parliament-reviews-edi-for-research-grants/). Recommendations by the committee to Parliament will be made by the end of the year.

October 27, 2025: 

A study of more than 400 managers at top-performing companies show that there is support for gender equity across the board, but men were more likely to believe achieving it would require "extreme" sacrifice. This article goes on to show that men can in fact take simple actions, such as challenging misogynistic behavior, taking paternity leave, and advocating for flexibility, can make a difference.
 
 

October 20, 2025: 

October is Latin American Heritage Month in Canada. Celebrate "the voices, cultures, and histories of peoples with backgrounds and ancestry from Spain, Mexico, Central and South American, and the Caribbean" by checking out this curated reading list from the UTSC Library, including greats like Isabel Allende and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
 

October 13, 2025: 

October is Canadian Islamic History Month, with a theme this year of "pioneering muslim communities in Canada - cultivating spaces for comfort, growth, and learning over time."  Did you know that the Al-Rashid Mosque was this first in Canada, built only in 1938 in Edmonton, Alberta? Read more about this history here.
 

October 6, 2025: 

Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival (aka. Moon Festival), a cherished celebration in Chinese culture and in many other East and Southeast Asian cultures under different names. The festival follows the lunar calendar, so its date shifts each year, but it always falls on a full moon. It’s a time to reflect, reconnect, and celebrate the fullness of life, much like the full moon that symbolizes reunion, harmony, and hope. 
 
Tonight brings a rare celestial gift: a Super Harvest Moon, which will reach its peak fullness at 11:49 p.m. EST. This moon is not only the closest full moon to the autumn equinox, but also a supermoon, appearing especially large and luminous in the night sky. If the weather is clear, we encourage everyone to take a moment to step outside and look up.
 
As the moon reminds us, life moves in cycles 🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘 — sometimes bright and full, sometimes quiet and shifting. May this moment offer a gentle pause to reflect on where we are, and where we’re going.
 

September 29, 2025: 

September 30, 1973 was Phyllis (Jack) Webstad's first day at the Mission school - she was six year's old. She was excited to wear the shiny orange shirt she and her grandmother had saved to buy, but was taken from her on the first day and never returned. We recognize Orange Shirt Day now to "commit to the enduring truth that EVERY CHILD MATTERS, ever day and everywhere." Learn more about this story here - and feel free to wear orange tomorrow!
 
 

September 22, 2025: 

Getting out into the field or a great national park can be life changing. But for many, there are barriers - they may feel vulnerable to harassment or physical violence, for example, and there are significant costs associated with travelling to beautiful outdoor locations and buying the "right" gear. This article explores these barriers and offers a number of concrete steps to build the outdoors as a more inclusive environment.
 
 

September 15, 2025: 

EDI efforts have come under increased scrutiny recently. This article in the New York Times from Eugenia Cheng, a mathematician who initially opposed EDI efforts in her field, but has since come to appreciate the importance of carefully defining metrics to include measurements of the distace people have metaphorically travelled to reach their current point when considering merit. 
 
 

September 8, 2025: 

Inclusive language can be hard to keep up with. The Diversity Style Guide, developed for journalists, can help if you feel uncertain - figure out the right term to use, or find out what something you've just heard actually means. "The guide contains more than 700 terms related to race/ethnicity, disability, immigration, sexuality and gender identity, drugs and alcohol, and geography." Take a look here!
 
 

June 16, 2025: 

June is National Indigenous History Month! And on June 21, we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, which coincides with the summer solstice and affirms the traditional importance of this time for many Indigenous peoples and communities. The month and day honour the distinct cultures of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities and encourages widespread recognition of the accomplishments and resilience of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island. More information available here:  https://people.utoronto.ca/inclusion/dates-of-observance/?query=indigenous-history-month 
 

June 9, 2025: 

In "Postdocs as Key to Faculty Diversity: A Structured and Collaborative Approach for Research Universities," Patt et al. describe the drop off in diversity at the postdoc level vs undergrad and grad levels, how this impacts diversity at the faculty level, and how California schools developed a structure to address it that others can emulate.  https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.759263/full
 

June 2, 2025: 

June is Pride Month! "Pride has many meanings: it is a catalyst for change; a time to commemorate and celebrate; and an opportunity to express collective support and advocacy for 2SLGBTQ+ rights worldwide." More here. https://people.utoronto.ca/inclusion/dates-of-observance/?query=pride-month   
 
Consider showing your support by attending the flag raising on June 4 at 12pm outside the Davis building, with remarks by Dr. Alex Gillespie, Vice-President and Principal! More info https://sgdo.utoronto.ca/events/pride/#:~:text=make%20appropriate%20arrangements.-,UTM,-The%20UTM%20Equity 
 

May 26, 2025: 

This study in Science Advances found that a mentor training program meant to increase mentors’ awareness and skill in addressing cultural diversity in research mentoring relationships with undergraduate researchers proved effective from both the mentors' and mentees' perspective. The modules and the study are described therein. Link on word SCience ADvances: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adf9705 
 

May 19, 2025: 

New Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Guides for Researchers
To support U of T research communities, CRIS has developed three new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Guides that provide practical tips curated from various sources such as published papers, granting agencies, and other higher education institutions, in all aspects of research including building a team, providing a safe, inclusive environment and research design. 
 

May 12, 2025: 

A recent article in Chemical Science worked to quantify the barriers of being in the first generation to access higher education (First Gen) and proposes practices to support retention and progression in STEM.
 

May 5, 2025: 

May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada! It is a time to celebrate the many contributions that people of Asian descent have made—and continue to make—to Canadian society. This month recognizes the breadth and depth of Asian identities, whose roots originate in more than 40 countries worldwide. In honor of the month, BenchSci posted an article on "12 Asian Scientists and their Impact on STEM": https://blog.benchsci.com/six-asian-scientists-and-their-impact-on-stem 
 
May is also Canadian Jewish Heritage Month! It recognizes and celebrates the significant contributions, both historical and contemporary, by Jewish communities across Canada. It is also an opportunity for reflection and learning about the manifestations of antisemitism, its origins, and its persistence in Canadian society. UofT encourages communities of all faiths and backgrounds to engage in dialogue about productive strategies to address Jewish inclusion and belonging in Canada. More information, resources, and trainings can be found here: https://people.utoronto.ca/inclusion/dates-of-observance/?query=canadian-jewish-heritage-month 
 

April 28, 2025: 

The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office (EDIO) and the Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre (RGASC) would like to invite you to participate in an in-person, half-day symposium entitled “Inviting Constructive Dialogue to the Classroom” taking place on Thursday May 8th, 9:30am-1:30pm in MN3230 (CDRS). 
 
This symposium aims to demonstrate how the methods we use to create meaningful learning experiences in our classrooms can also help us have “difficult” or, as we have suggested, constructive dialogues. We will also discuss how to assemble a toolkit to navigate classroom dialogues mindfully and intentionally.
 
The symposium will consist of two (2) sessions followed by a roundtable discussion composed of a cross-disciplinary panel of UTM Faculty and Instructors.
 
We welcome all levels of comfort and discomfort when dealing with constructive dialogues in the classroom and we look forward to starting this conversation with you.
 
Full details, including registration link, can be found on the RGASC website.
 

April 14, 2025: 

April is Sikh Heritage Month! Sikh Heritage Month, launched in Ontario in 2013 and nationwide in 2019, encourages celebration and recognition of the contributions that Sikh communities have made—and continue to make—to all aspects of Canadian society. It also encourages dialogue about productive strategies to foster inclusion and belonging for the Sikh community in Canada. For more information, see addition links here: https://people.utoronto.ca/inclusion/dates-of-observance/?query=sikh-heritage-month 
 

March 24, 2025: 

"How to be an ally" In a recent article In University Affairs, Michael Kehler, a University of Calgary researcher, discusses what allyship means and strategies to engage in allyship at the personal and administrative levels.  https://universityaffairs.ca/news/how-to-be-an-ally/ 
 

March 17, 2025: 

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
March 21 is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, started in 1966 by the UN to to denounce South Africa’s apartheid regime. Today, IDERD is recognized as a Day to remember the lives lost in the Sharpeville Massacre and to join global communities in the fight against all forms of racial discrimination and racism. 
 
UofT is hosting a hybrid event "Cultivating Inclusive Global Communities: Holistic Approaches to Addressing Racial Discrimination in Post-secondary Environments" on Friday. Please see information and register here: 
 

March 10, 2025: 

While many institutions of higher education in Canada have committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, international students are not always considered an equity-seeking group, despite the structural barriers international students face.  Vandar Tavares explores this in "Feeling excluded: international students experience equity, diversity and inclusion." International Journal of Inclusive Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2021.2008536  

 

March 3, 2025: 

Monday March 3 is International Women's Day! Officially recognized by the United Nations (UN) since the 1970s, International Women’s Day encourages us to celebrate the individual and collective contributions of women and gender-diverse people while acknowledging where progress is still needed to achieve gender equity. It calls on all of us to reflect on how we can accelerate this progress through action and allyship, both locally and globally. Read more about its history here: https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day/background. And on the current state of Women in STEM in Canada here: https://canada150women.ca/women-in-stem-in-canada/.

 

Plus, Feb 11 was the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day). 

 

Read this article from UofT EPIC highlighting diverse perspectives from future leaders in STEM: https://epic.utoronto.ca/highlighting-diverse-perspectives-this-international-day-of-women-and-girls-in-science/.

 

February 24, 2025: 

Wednesday Feb 26 is Pink Shirt Day, a day to choose kindness and help support the elimination of bullying and discrimination. For many, it's a specific opportunity to address bullying motivated by homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia. Started in Nova Scotia, it is now celebrated worldwide. Considering wearing pink this Wednesday!

https://pinkshirtdaycanada.ca/#Story

 

February 17, 2025: 

Planning an important meeting or event? The Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Office at UofT has a Multifaith E-Calendar to identify holy days and significant observances to consider when choosing your date: https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/edio/equity-based-initiatives/multifaith-e-calendar   

 

February 10, 2025: 

February is Black History Month! Read more about it below, including a link to an interview with the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first Black woman elected to Parliament. 


 
As well as this article describing 7 groundbreaking famous Blake Scientists from CBC that can be incorporated into classroom teaching or group meetings:

 
For current events and opportunities, check out the Canadian Black Scientist Network:
 

February 3, 2025: 

Jan 29 was National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia (link: https://people.utoronto.ca/inclusion/dates-of-observance/?query=day-of-remembrance-and-action-on-islamophobia), which remembers the victims of the 2017 attack on the Quebec City Mosque and is another reminder of the terrible impacts of hatred and discrimination in our society and the need for active opposition. More from UofT here: https://people.utoronto.ca/inclusion/dates-of-observance/?query=day-of-remembrance-and-action-on-islamophobia 
 

January 27, 2025: 

Today (Jan 27) is International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, which was established by the UN to commemorate victims of Holocaust, which claimed the lives of more than six million Jewish people as well as members of other persecuted populations. UofT links to additional information here and reminds us how it "forced citizens worldwide to confront the horrific results of unchecked hatred and discrimination—and of their own complicity through collective inaction."
 

January 20, 2025: 

From Inside Higher Ed:
A Path to Wellness for Women of Color Academics
Kenyatta Y. Dawson writes of the power of slowing down.
 

January 13, 2025: 

Continued education is a key component of allyship and sustainable change! Consider attending one of the following workshops this month: 
 
2SLGBTQ+ Concepts, Identities and Inclusion
Jan 15, 9am-12pm
 
What is Harassment? Tools to Identify and Address Racial and Sexual Harassment (Part 1)
Jan 20, 1pm-3pm
 
Practical Strategies for a Gender-Inclusive University
Jan 21, 9am-12pm
 
 

January 6, 2025: 

On January 14, UofT will host a webinar on "Transforming EDI from Commitment to Operations: Strategies for Sustainable Integration" to explore key considerations needed to increase the effectiveness of EDI strategies and key resources and practices to support day to day efforts  to integrate EDI principles within evolving institutional needs. 
 
More information and registration here: 
 

December 16, 2024: 

In the publication, "Cognitive Diversity for Creativity and Inclusive Growth," Martin Thuo and co-workers discuss ideas to optimize STEM teams for problem solving, innovation, and productivity. 
 

December 9, 2024: 

“Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Laboratory: Strategies to Enhance Inclusive Laboratory Culture” from the labs of Professors Antentor Hinton Jr at Vanderbilt University and Sandra Murray at the University of Pittsburgh covers practical strategies for embracing a culturally diverse lab, building a transparent lab structure and productive lab values, and creating a culture of independence.
 

December 2, 2024: 

December 3 is International Day for Persons with Disabilities. UofT will be hosting a virtual event on Neuroinclusive Policies and Practices in Postsecondary Education from 1:00pm-2:30pm (did you know it's estimated 10-30% of university students are neurodivergent?) Broader resources from the Council for Ontario Universities can be found at accessiblecampus.ca, including a paper on Creating an Accessible Science Laboratory Environment for Students with Disabilities

 

November 25, 2024: 

In "Decolonizing the Undergraduate Chemistry Curriculum: An Account of How to Start," chemistry faculty at the University of York describe strategic approaches to decolonizing and diversifying STEM curriculum without "de-emphasizing the key principles and theories of science. This was followed by an article with a table of resources for others to use: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.2c01003

 

November 18, 2024: 

Resource Reminder! UTM has a variety of trainings and workshops scheduled year-round that you can find on their calendar below. For example, "What is Harassment? Tools to Identify and Address Racial and Sexual Harassment" is a 2 part series that goes over how to identify harassment, its impact, and what resources are available at UTM to address it. https://people.utoronto.ca/events/edi-calendar/ 

 

November 12, 2024: 

Resource Reminder! UTM has a variety of trainings and workshops scheduled year-round that you can find on their calendar below. For example, "What is Harassment? Tools to Identify and Address Racial and Sexual Harassment" is a 2 part series that goes over how to identify harassment, its impact, and what resources are available at UTM to address it. https://people.utoronto.ca/events/edi-calendar/ 

 

November 4, 2024: 

"12 ways to combat discrimination in STEM" Biology professor Lisa Willis (University of Alberta) shares steps and advice for championing EDI in science.

 

October 28, 2024: 

"Systemic inequalities for LGBTQ professionals in STEM" Survey data from 12 professional STEM societies was combined to reveal a number of areas of inequality for LGBTQ professionals in STEM, including an increased likelihood to intend to leave STEM. 

 

October 21, 2024: 

“EDI at Every Level: Inequities and Under-Representation in STEM"  In this article, Canadian STEM graduate students, working with the Canadian Science Policy Centre, discuss the good and bad of current EDI policies and possible solutions - including links to a number of primary resources. 

 

October 15, 2024: 

The UofT EDI in Research and Innovation Office has a long list of resources and contacts, including a handbook just update in May on "EDI in Research Teams and Training: Promising Practices and Resources Handbook." The UTM office offers specific consultations, and the VPRI office can help review EDI sections of grants if given enough time.

 

September 30, 2024: 

“Inclusive Academic Cultures: Ideas for Making Change” - The Toronto Initiative for Diversity & Excellence (TIDE) and the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) have developed four approximately 30 min Unconscious Bias Education Modules. The recently released 4th module offers practical steps that can be taken to improve the climate and culture of an academic unit and may serve as an interesting starting point for discussions.

Faculty, staff, and librarians access here: New-unconscious-bias-education-module

Students and other community members access here: https://www.toronto-tide.ca/education-modules/

 

July 2, 2024: Social Identity Map: A Reflexivity Tool for Practicing Explicit Positionality in Critical Qualitative Research (2019) by Jacobson & Mustafa

This article presents the Social Identity Map, a flexible reflexivity tool designed to help researchers explicitly identify and reflect on their social identities and positionality, thereby enhancing their understanding of how these factors influence their research process and interactions with participants. 

 

June 24, 2024: Addressing unconscious coloniality and decolonizing practice in geosciences in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment (2021) 

Author Ashley Klymiuk addresses how unconscious coloniality perpetuates inequity in geoscience, advocating for decolonizing practices that empower individuals to challenge and dismantle colonial systems, thereby promoting greater inclusivity of Indigenous peoples in STEM fields. 

 

June 17, 2024: Is This the End for Mandatory D.E.I. Statements? in the New York Times (2024) 

This article delves into the recent decision by institutions like Harvard and MIT to no longer require applicants for teaching positions to detail how they would support underrepresented groups. This move signals a potential shift in higher education hiring practices, with other schools possibly following suit. The article explores the implications of this change and its potential impact on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in academia- as it’s important to stay updated on current developments.

 

June 10, 2024: Hostile climates are barriers to diversifying the geosciences in Advances in Geosciences (2020) by Marin-Spiotta, Barnes, et al. 

This article discuss the struggle in the US geosciences with diversity due to historical exclusion and biases, requiring initiatives like ADVANCEGeo to foster inclusivity and reshape institutional structures for true transformation.

 

June 3, 2024: Reflect on Your Positionality to Ensure Student Success in Inside Higher Edu (2022)

Author Christine Harrington emphasizes that faculty should reflect on their identities, experiences, and potential biases to improve teaching practices and foster a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for diverse students.

 

May 27, 2024: Amplifying the voices of diverse scholars to integrate culture in the Earth Sciences in Journal of Geoscience Education (2022) by Todd, W., Atchison, C., & White, L

The VOICES program aims to enhance diversity in the Earth sciences by addressing barriers and fostering inclusion through a framework focused on Identity, Belonging, Place, and Security, ultimately promoting equity and innovation.

 

May 21, 2024: LGBTQI+ allyship in academia in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment (2021)

Author Anson Mackay discusses their experiences in their career in geosciences, outlining that despite his career success, he faced significant discrimination as an openly scientist, highlighting the urgent need for allyship in STEM to combat the exclusion and harassment of LGBTQI+ individuals and create a more inclusive environment through active, continuous efforts and self-education.

 

May 13, 2024: What Lies Beneath Seemingly Positive Campus Climate Results: Institutional Sexism, Racism, and Male Hostility Toward Equity Initiatives and Liberal Bias (2010) Equity & Excellence in Education

Author Annemarie Vaccaro discusses gender differences in perceptions of campus climate at a predominantly white university, revealing men's resistance to diversity efforts, resentment towards liberal bias, and symbolic racism, stressing the importance of addressing institutional sexism alongside men's disengagement and hostility through climate research-driven institutional change.

 

May 6, 2024: A Simple Act of Defiance Can Improve Science for Women (2024) 

Author Dr. Toby Kiers shares her personal journey, illustrating the common dilemma among women scientists regarding balancing career aspirations with family responsibilities. She advocates for a transformative approach where bringing children on scientific expeditions becomes an act of feminist defiance, leading to enriched scientific perspectives and challenging conventional norms in academia.

 

April 29, 2024: Two-Eyed Seeing and the Language of Healing in Community-Based Research (2009) by Iwama et al. 

This article introduces a community participation model of research and teaching intended to restore health and make the university a welcoming place for Indigenous peoples. Cape Breton University's Institute for Integrative Science and Health draws on the strengths of Indigenous and Western knowledges, basing its integrative Indigenist practice on the guiding principle of "Two-Eyed Seeing" and linguistic components of health such as the Mi'kmaq "healing tense." Critical analysis and dramatic reenactment describe efforts to revitalize language and restore relationships with each other and with the land.

 

April 22, 2024: Don’t leave us behind: The importance of mentoring for underrepresented minority faculty (2015) by Zambrana et al. 

The article delves into the mentoring experiences of underrepresented minority faculty at research-extensive institutions, highlighting the critical role of lifelong social capital accumulation, challenges related to undervalued research areas and community engagement, and the importance of mentors who understand the specific struggles faced by URMs in predominantly White institutions for increasing retention and success.

 

April 15, 2024: Women end up doing the academic housework Kifinfo (2024) by Gunn Kvalsvik

This article discusses a recent study conducted in Danish academia revealed that male associate professors, in particular, actively avoided participating in service work if it did not benefit their careers, leaving these responsibilities largely to women, a pattern that was surprisingly distinct according to the researchers.

 

April 8, 2024: From ‘Wonka’ to ‘Bridgerton’: Hollywood’s Fantasy of A Magical, Colorblind Past by Kabir Chibber (New York Times, 2024) 

Kabir Chibber critiques Hollywood's trend of reimagining history through a racially inclusive lens, coined as the "Magical Multiracial Past," arguing that while aiming for inclusivity, these narratives often sanitize and erase the complexities of actual historical events.

 

April 1, 2024: Team-Teaching Anti-Oppression with Diverse Faculty: Challenges and Opportunities by Garran, Aymer & Miller (Social Work Education, 2015)

Here’s an article that explores the complexities of team-teaching anti-oppression courses with diverse faculty, discussing challenges and opportunities that arise. It highlights the importance of creating a supportive environment, fostering open communication, and addressing power dynamics to effectively navigate these challenges and capitalize on the potential benefits of diverse perspectives. 

 

March 25, 2024: A framework for addressing the lack of diversity in the Geosciences through evaluating the current structure of institutional efforts by Guhlincozzi and Cisneros (GeoJournal, 2022) 

This article explores how universities can form partnerships by supporting community geography projects, using the example of organizing a Geosciences camp to expand educational opportunities and diversity within the university, analyzing the process and outcomes to offer insights for future sustainable partnerships.

 

March 18, 2024: A Science, Technology, Society, and Environmental Impact Assignment for Senior-Level Analytical Chemistry Students, The Journal of Chemical Education, Piunno & Shahmuradyan (2024)

Here’s an article from Anna Shahmuradyan and Paul Piunno about a new type of assignment developed for CHM311 that bridges the gap between analytical chemistry education and broader social justice and environmental issues. The assignment was designed as a self-guided, student-centred learning experience that places the student in control of the learning process to invoke both active engagement and autonomy as they explore an area of analytical chemistry aligned with their personal interests. The provision of choice was done to be consistent with a decolonized approach to assignment design in which students can experience a more active role in their learning experience through the provision of freedom to explore and communicate their perspectives, particularly with regard to the sociopolitical, cultural, and environmental discourse that they incorporate in their reports. The assignment was also designed to incorporate universal design for learning practices, where students were given the option to prepare their report either as a written report or a video presentation, based on whichever format they felt would best enable them to communicate their research work.

 

March 11, 2024: A Perspective on Being Black and in STEM, The Journal of Organic Chemistry, Gonzalez (2024)

Here’s an article from Aria Gonzalez who reflects her journey as a Black individual in STEM, highlighting the initial barriers faced due to a lack of representation, recounts her discovery of passion for chemistry/research, emphasizes the importance of diversity in STEM fields, and expresses gratitude for initiatives promoting inclusion.

 

March 4, 2024: Feeling Relieved: Creating a Positive Bathroom Field Culture in the Geosciences by Synder & Reynolds (GSA Today, 2024)

Here’s an article underscores the importance of addressing bathroom culture in geosciences fieldwork due to its impact on workers' well-being and safety, advocating for enhanced communication and proactive measures among participants, leaders, and organizers to ensure inclusivity and positive bathroom space during fieldwork. Read more here: 

 

February 26, 2024: A UK perspective on tackling the geoscience racial diversity crisis in the Global North — Research Explorer The University of Manchester by Dowey, Barclay, et al. (Nature Geoscience, 2021)

This article highlights the historical ties between geoscience and colonialism, emphasizing the need for diversity and inclusion in the field. It presents data showing the lack of racial diversity in UK geoscience postgraduate research and proposes actionable steps, including decolonizing curricula, improving representation, removing barriers, and implementing long-term initiatives to create a more inclusive and equitable geoscience community. 

 

February 20, 2024: Barriers to the Successful Mentoring of Faculty of Color by Davis, Jones, Russell & Settles (Journal of Career and Development, 2021)

The study examines the mentoring challenges faced by faculty of color (FOC) in academia, revealing four main obstacles—negative experiences, mentor availability, institutional support gaps, and post-tenure mentorship deficiencies—underscoring the necessity of addressing these barriers for FOC's career advancement and retention.

 

February 5, 2024:  View to the U podcast with Scott Jess and Lindsay Schoenbohm (2024)

This week’s EDI post is featuring our own Prof. Lindsay Schoenbohm and her former postdoc and now a faculty member at Washington State University, Prof. Scott Jess. As part of this podcast, they talk about their research field and how they undertook their collaboration titled A Demographic Survey of Canadian Academic Geosciences, which was published in 2023.  

 

January 29, 2024: ‘America Is Under Attack’: Inside the Anti-D.E.I. Crusade by Nicholas Confessore (New York Times, 2023)

Confessore writes about a conservative group called the Claremont Institute is fighting against what they see as "woke" ideas, especially in colleges, by offering workshops and materials to defend free speech and traditional American beliefs, representing a broader conservator backlash seen in ongoing debate over issues such as free speech, identity politics, and the role of institutions in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

 

January 22, 2024: The role of media in influencing students’ STEM career interest by Chen, et al. (IJ STEM Ed, 2023)

While watching STEM-related TV shows and videos and playing STEM-related video games did not directly impact students’ STEM career interests, they did impact students’ STEM identity and career outcome expectations. 

 

January 15, 2024: Women in Academia: Representation, Tenure, and Publication. by J. Krebsbach (The Journal of International Women’s Studies, 2022)

The article examines the inequities faced by women in academia, particularly in terms of representation, tenure, and publication patterns in STEM and social sciences fields, highlighting disparities in various aspects such as professorship levels, interactions on campus, expectations for success, and significant gender disparities observed in academic publication, concluding with recommendations for future research, including the inclusion of people of color in academia.

 

January 8, 2024: Claudine Gay: What Just Happened at Harvard Is Bigger Than Me. by (New York Times)

Following the recent change in Harvard’s leadership last week, here is a guest essay on the New York Times by Dr. Claudine Gay.

 

December 18, 2023: The Fall of Penn’s President Brings Campus Free Speech to a Crossroads. by (New York Times)

A thought-provoking article on the New York Times on free speech.

 

December 11, 2023: The future of the postdoc by K. Powell

The article discusses the growing number of postdocs and the limited opportunities for advancement in academia, proposing potential solutions such as salary increases, term limits, and the creation of senior staff scientist positions to address the challenges faced by postdoctoral researchers.

 

December 4, 2023: Informing the Fact: Inuit Traditional Knowledge Contributes Another Perspective by J. Zamparo (Geoscience Canada, 1996)

Here’s an interesting article that discusses the differences between Inuit traditional knowledge and western science views and how to unite these different perspectives. 

 

November 20, 2023: No progress on diversity in 40 years by Rachel E. Bernard & Emily H. G. Cooperdock  (Nature Geoscience, 2018)

The article highlights the persistent lack of ethnic and racial diversity among recipients of doctorates in earth, atmospheric, and ocean sciences in the United States over four decades, despite efforts to increase diversity, emphasizing the need for targeted actions to attract and retain graduate students from underrepresented groups and stressing the importance of diversity in fostering scientific innovation and ensuring representation from all backgrounds.

 

November 13, 2023: Scientists from historically excluded groups face a hostile obstacle course. by Berhe, et al. (The Nature Journal, 2021)

Here’s an interesting article published by The Nature Journal on Scientists from historically excluded groups face a hostile obstacle course.

 

November 6, 2023: Uneven increases in racial diversity of US Geoscience undergraduates by R. Beane, et al. (The Nature Briefing, 2021)

Here’s an interesting article published by The Nature Briefing Newsletter on Uneven increases in racial diversity of US Geoscience undergraduates.

 

October 30, 2023: New SAT Data Highlights the Deep Inequality at the Heart of American Education by C. C. Miller (New York Times, 2023)

Check out this article published by The New York Times which discusses the inequality in American Education based on new SAT data.

 

October 23, 2023: Demographic Trends in Canadian Academic Geoscience by S. Jess, E. Heer, L. Schoenbohm (Geo Canada, 2023)

The report shows that Canadian academia, geosciences, has a low representation of gender, racial, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ for researchers.

 

October 16, 2023: Addressing racial and phenotypic bias in human neuroscience methods by E. Kate Webb, J. Arthur Etter & Jasmine A. Kwasa. (nature, 2022)

This paper shows how phenotype biases such as hair and skin bias appear in research through tools that do not account for darker skin or different hair textures. This results in data that does not accurately represent non-White individuals or individuals with wavy or afro textured hair.