Implementing equity, diversity, and inclusion in research practice
February 11, 2022
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In August 2020, Queen鈥檚 senior leadership committed to confronting discrimination and battling racism and other forms of injustice on campus. Since then, the university has established several initiatives to combat systemic inequities. The development of new online training modules for the research community is part of an effort to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in research.
The modules and affiliated resources are unique to Queen鈥檚 and aim to eliminate discrimination in research by increasing awareness and developing practical skills related to the inclusion of EDI throughout the full research cycle: from idea-generation to project outcomes and impact. The initiative, which began spring 2021, was a collaboration between the Vice-Principal of Research (VPR) Portfolio, the Human Rights and Equity Office (HREO), and former Queen鈥檚 researcher Leela Viswanathan (Geography and Planning), through her company Viswali Consulting.
鈥淲e wanted to further develop researchers鈥 competencies in relation to equity, diversity, and inclusion in research. In addition, we are hoping these modules will serve as a tool to assist researchers in their applications for various funding sources,鈥 says Erin Clow, Associate Director in HREO, who worked in collaboration with Viswanathan on the modules.
A series of three webinars is planned to support researchers at every stage of their careers to embed EDI in their research practices. Each session is closely tied to one of the online EDI in Research training modules that were developed for the Queen鈥檚 research community.
鈥 March 20: Introduction to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research Design
鈥 April 27: Developing Inclusive Research Teams
鈥 June 8: Embedding EDI in Knowledge Mobilization, Translation, and Data Management
Learn more and register for the synchronous training sessions.
The training is divided in three parts: Module One introduces the topic of EDI in research. Module Two educates researchers on how to implement equity, diversity, and inclusion practices into recruiting and team-building and provides guidance for fostering a sense of belonging. Module Three is designed to assist researchers in developing knowledge mobilization, translation, and data management plans that embed EDI principles. The team believes that, after completing the modules, researchers will have the necessary skills to apply these practices to their own research endeavours.
"The training modules will strengthen scientific communities and contribute to the creation of the innovative and impactful research necessary to respond to local, national and global challenges,鈥 says Dr. Clow. 鈥淢ost importantly, the effort will help advance equity and inclusion for all within our community.鈥
The online modules are available through the Human Rights and Equity Office website. In addition, a synchronous component to the learning will be made available through a series of three Resources for Research at Queen鈥檚 (R4R@Q) sessions, each tied to a different module (see sidebar for details).
Researchers can also learn more about how to implement EDI in their research practices by visiting the Wise Practices for Research section of the Vice-Principal Research Portfolio website, which contains an extensive list of resources and contact information to a team of dedicated Research Project Advisors available to provide guidance and feedback.