Valuing Diversity, Promoting Inclusion

Learn what we're doing to support InspiR3E, the guiding principles for equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives in the Faculty of Science.

 

Young women present at the 2018 Technovation regional pitch event for Calgary area

INSPIRE
Hands-on STEM learning opportunities for youth

  • Technovation Challenge: Girls ages 10 to 18 learn to identify a problem in their community, create a mobile app solution to address that problem, and learn to communicate these ideas and translate them into a fully launched business. 
  • Soapbox Science: A global, public outreach platform for promoting women scientists and the science they do, in Calgary for the first time in 2018. 
  • Explore STEM: Interactive conference for Grade 9 girls to explore STEM, especially focused on technology. 
Viola Birss, professor in the Department of Chemistry, receives the Order of the University of Calgary from Chancellor Robert Thirsk at June 2018 convocation

RECRUIT, RETAIN, RECOGNIZE
Overcoming systemic biases

  • Search Committee Training: Focus on consistent scoring methods and meeting protocols to minimize impacts of implicit bias on candidate evaluations.
  • Diversity Dialogues: Workshop series to increase awareness of DEI issues (e.g., ABCs of LGBTQ).
  • Bystander Intervention: This program is a partnership with the Heroic Imagination Project, with the goal of developing social resilience skills necessary to act effectively and overcome the bystander effect when others are present. The program aims to improve inclusion and personal safety in all working and learning spaces, especially for individuals from traditionally underrepresented groups.
  • Awards: As Chair of the Faculty of Science Awards Committee, the Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion works with committee members to increase the diversity of award nominations.
Dr. Rei Safavi-Naini of the Department of Computer Science talks to a group. She is gesturing with her right hand.

ELEVATE
Development opportunities and support to propel individuals into leadership

  • Leadership Development: Sponsored participants in WinSETT (Women in Science, Engineering, Trades and Technology) Leadership Program, consisting of six day-long workshops through 2017-2018. Sponsored Dr. Lisa Gieg as an ELATE (Executive Leadership in Academic Technology and Engineering, Drexel University) Fellow.
  • Training for Merit, and Tenure and Promotion Committees: Educating committee members about systemic biases (especially with regard to research output, teaching evaluations, and service commitments) so that accomplishments of women and other members of equity-seeking groups are properly evaluated.