The University of Ottawa has reiterated its strong commitment to support equity, diversity and inclusion among researchers by endorsing the new Dimensions charter that champions eight principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). The charter takes “a multidimensional approach to equity, diversity and inclusion to achieve a future research community where all can thrive.”
The University of Ottawa is proud to endorse this charter. Dimensions aims to identify and address systemic barriers in post-secondary education and research advancement, particularly those experienced by members of underrepresented or disadvantaged groups, “including, but not limited to, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minority/racialized groups, and members of LGBTQ2+ communities”.
“We stand behind this vision” said President and Vice-Chancellor Jacques Frémont, “and we are moving further to identify differences associated with EDI focused on bilingualism in keeping with our unique status and commitment towards an ever more diversified campus.”
In 2016, President Frémont moved to incorporate the principles of EDI throughout the fabric of the University. Following the work of an Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, he appointed Steffany Bennett as Special Advisor, Diversity and Inclusion and, in partnership with the Association of Professors of the University of Ottawa, established a committee mandated to identify and address gender pay gap differences between faculty members.
Steps to close the gender-pay gap will be taken in 2019 following the report of this committee. Professor Bennett is further mobilizing resources to maintain momentum and make uOttawa campus more inclusive. She has completed data collection and implemented processes that fulfill the Dimension charter’s principles of collecting “qualitative and quantitative data to measure, monitor, understand and publicly report on challenges and progress made”.
The University of Ottawa is planning a new ‘inclusion’ campaign for this fall, championed by the Director of Human Rights, Noël A. J. Badiou, with the roll out of an employee self-identification survey.
“Self-identification will enable us to expand our gender analysis” said Badiou “to include Indigenous People, members of visible minority/racialized groups, members of LGBTQ2+ communities, as well members of our francophone, anglophone, and bilingual linguistic communities.”
The results of the new survey will refresh the University’s data and will be key in assisting the University in furthering its EDI goals.
”The University of Ottawa is excited to endorse Dimensions”, said Bennett, “These principles are core to our vision of learning, education, and research. Together we are better!”