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“An equitable, diverse and inclusive research environment creates the conditions for excellent, innovative and impactful research. Equity creates conditions for all social actors, regardless their situation, can participate in research. Diversity sparks creativity and supports the search for novel information and perspectives, and inclusion creates an environment for open discussion and debate.”

- uOttawa Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research Advisory Committee

The Office of the Vice-Dean, Research and Professional Development has created this guide to help you incorporate equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles into your research projects. This tool also serves as a springboard for you to reflect on the issues of equity, diversity and inclusion, how they relate to your research projects, and beyond.

Integrating EDI principles is not limited to EDI-related fields; rather, it is a lens, a way of seeing the world. It’s important to work toward systematically considering EDI at the very start of your projects, and at every stage of them, regardless of the industry or topic.

We also recommend that you learn more about the systemic challenges and barriers that exist for members of underrepresented groups. This knowledge will guide the development of your EDI plans and help you identify how you can reduce these obstacles.

The University of Ottawa identifies five groups that are traditionally underrepresented in research, namely: women, Indigenous people, visible minorities/racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as members of the LGBTQI2S+ community. In addition to these underrepresented groups, you may also consider diversity in terms of demographic and cultural factors, such as age, language, economic status, migratory status, or religion.

Definitions

Equity

Equity means fairness; people of all identities being treated fairly. Equity is defined as the removal of systemic barriers and biases enabling all individuals to have equal opportunity to access and benefit from the program.

Diversity

Diversity is a fact. It already exists; it is the natural state of the world. Diversity involves inviting, welcoming, and working with all in the university community regardless of age, religious affiliation, ethnicity, body abilities, country of origin, socio-economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and so on, because it is the right thing to do and because it makes our institution stronger in every way possible.

Inclusion

Inclusion is a conscious and deliberate commitment, a way of thinking and acting which demonstrates that one recognizes the value of diversity. Inclusion is about acknowledging diversity as a strength, about appreciating its power to enrich the lives of everyone involved.

Source: EDI resources – How we define EDI at uOttawa

Each tab below provides concrete examples of how to integrate EDI elements in your grant applications.

Additional resources