EDI Resources for Researchers
Welcome to the EDI in Research Page. Division of the VP, ORSCE is dedicated to building a culture of inclusive excellence.
EDI is an important part of Mount Royal's strategic plan for research and scholarship. The ORSCE is committed to providing MRU researchers with resources on how to adhere to EDI principles and navigate issues or concerns arising from research in relation to EDI.
Below is a list of curated resources and recommendations Mount Royal researchers should follow to help ensure they are equitable in their research practices.
Definitions
Equity
Equity means fairness. It is the removal of systemic barriers and biases enabling all individuals to have equal access to and to benefit from any aspect of society. It accounts for everyone’s different and unique identities, lived experiences, and backgrounds, and reflectively allocates for resources needed to reach an equal outcome. A commitment to equity acknowledges that disparities in opportunities are rooted in historical and contemporary injustices and systemic barriers.
Diversity
Diversity is defined as differences in race, place of origin, religion, immigrant and newcomer status, ethnic origin, ability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, and many other aspects of identity. It consists of the conditions, expressions, and experiences of different groups.
Inclusion
Inclusion is the practice of creating an environment that ensures all individuals are treated equitably, has access to the same opportunities, and feels welcome and respected. Inclusion means actively fostering the conditions in which everyone can fully participate and maximize their creativity and contributions free of bias or discrimination.
- Sex: Refers to a set of biological attributes in humans and animals. It is primarily associated with physical and physiological features including chromosomes, gene expression, hormone levels and function, and reproductive/sexual anatomy. Sex is usually categorized as female or male but there is variation in the biological attributes that comprise sex and how those attributes are expressed (CIHR 2019).
- Gender: Refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviours, expressions and identities of girls, women, boys, men, and gender diverse people. It influences how people perceive themselves and each other, how they act and interact, and the distribution of power and resources in society. Gender identity is not confined to a binary (girl/woman, boy/man) nor is it static; it exists along a continuum and can change over time. There is considerable diversity in how individuals and groups understand, experience and express gender through the roles they take on, the expectations placed on them, relations with others and the complex ways that gender is institutionalized in society (CIHR 2019).
- Stereotypes: Widely-held beliefs about the characteristics of all members of a particular group based on unsupported assumptions and oversimplified ideas and images.
- Prejudice: Negative prejudgment or preconceived feelings or notions about another person or group of persons based on perceived characteristics.
- Bias: A predisposition, prejudice, or generalization about a group of persons based on personal characteristics or stereotypes.
- Privilege – Unearned power, benefits, advantages, access and/or opportunities that exist for members of the dominant group(s) in society. Can also refer to the relative privilege of one group compared to another.
- Discrimination – Treating someone unfairly by either imposing a burden on them, or denying them a privilege, benefit or opportunity enjoyed by others, because of their race, citizenship, family status, disability, sex, or other personal characteristics. Discrimination can occur between individuals, or it can be the result of seemingly neutral policies and rules that have adverse effects on certain groups. (Note: Human rights laws in Ontario and Canada make it illegal to discriminate on prohibited grounds.
Funding Requirements & Resources
The following are links to Tri-Agency and Federal funding resources for EDI in grant requirements. These include guidelines, best practices, and examples of funding opportunities that have included EDI components.
SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council)
- SSHRC Best Practices in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research
- SSHRC Guidelines for the Merit Review of Indigenous Research
- SSHRC Indigenous Research
- SSHRC Guide to Addressing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Considerations in Partnership Grant Applications
NSERC (Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada)
- NSERC Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Hub
- NSERC Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Report 2017
- NSERC Alliance Grants: Equity, diversity, and inclusion in your training plan
- NSERC Guide on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in research.
- NSERC Discovery & Discovery Development Grants – Pilot for primary caregivers who are eligible for but decline taking extended leave
- NSERC Guide for Applicants: Considering equity, diversity and inclusion in your application
CIHR (Canadian Institutes of Health Research)
- CIHR Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Research System
- CIHR Sex and Gender in Health Research
- CIHR Individual Development Plans
- CIHR How to Integrate Sex and Gender into Research
- CIHR Sex and Gender Champions
CRC (Canada Research Chairs)
- CRC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Requirements and Practices
- CRC Guidelines for Assessing the Productivity of Nominees
- CRC Best Practices Guide for Recruitment, Hiring and Retention
- CRC/Tri-Agencies Unconscious Bias Training Module
Other
EDI in Research Practice
The following resources support equitable, diverse, and inclusive research environments. Topics covered include developing diverse research teams, hiring and recruitment practices, mentorship programs, and more.
Team Composition
- Promising Practices for Addressing the Underrepresentation of Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2020)
- “These Labs are Remarkably Diverse: Here’s How They’re Winning at Science,” Nature (2018)
- Systemic Inequalities for LGBTQ Professionals in STEM,” Science Advances (2021)
Trainee Program Development
- “Seven Potential Barriers to Engaging in Undergraduate Research for Historically Underrepresented Minority Students,” Elon University Center for Engaged Learning (2018)
- “Ten Simple Rules Toward Healthier Research Labs,” PLoS Computational Biology (2019)
- “Ten Simple Rules for Building an Antiracist Lab,” PLoS Computational Biology (2020)
Mentorship & Advancement
- Don’t Just Mentor Women and People of Color. Sponsor Them.
- “Promoting Inclusive Metrics of Success and Impact to Dismantle a Discriminatory Reward System in Science,” PLoS Biology (2021)
Award Adjudication
EDI in Research Design
The following resources support the application and implementation of EDI in the research design process. Topics covered include EDI considerations in research design, community-engaged research, sex & gender, and more.
Tri-Agency Resources
- NSERC Guide on Integrating EDI Considerations in Research
- SSHRC Guide: Guiding Questions to Consider While Designing Your Research
Community-Engaged Research
- Community-Based Research Canada
- DTES Research Access Portal: Resources for Community-Based Research
- Developing and Engaging in Community Partnership Research
Sex & Gender
- Sex and Gender Equity in Research: rationale for the SAGER guidelines and recommended use
- European Commission, Gendered Innovations 2: How Inclusive Analysis Contributes to Research and Innovation
- Conducting Research with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Populations: Navigating Research Ethics Board Reviews
- “Essential Metrics for Assessing Sex & Gender Integration in Health Research Proposals Involving Human Participants,” PLoS ONE (2017)
- Sex and gender analysis improves science and engineering
Indigenization and Decolonization
Projects involving Indigenous research must be built based on respectful and reciprocal relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities. Indigenization and decolonization benefits all students, faculty, staff, and community members. The following list of resources will include ongoing scholarly conversations about theoretical foundations and practical applications of Indigenous and decolonial principles of research.
Indigenization & Decolonization
- Indigenous Research Level of Engagement Tool
- Building Research Relationships with Indigenous Communities
- Indigenous Research Methodologies Training Module
- The First Nations Principles of OCAP®
- The National Dialogue on Data Management Plans and Indigenous Data (2023): Report
- The National Dialogue on Data Management Plans and Indigenous Data
- Guiding principles for Indigenous research practices
Professional Development: Tools & Modules
Recommended internal and external EDI+Research training modules and tools for faculty researchers and their teams are listed below.
Professional Development: Tools & Modules