Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Canada Research Chairs

• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment Statement

  Innovation begins with the person behind the good idea. Canadians are a vibrant and diverse people, each of whom possesses unique talents, skills, experiences, and perspectives that inspire brilliant ideas. True to the Canadian mosaic, Ontario Tech University fosters an inclusive culture where contributions from all members – including Indigenous Peoples, LGBTQ2+ Persons, Persons with Disabilities, Racialized Persons, and Women – are valued and are given the opportunity to flourish. Ontario Tech is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive research community. By refusing to leave talent on the sidelines, Ontario Tech inspires the profound discussions, exceptional creativity, and vanguard thinking that lead to more original, impactful and relevant research results. 

  Achieving a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canadian research enterprise is essential to creating the excellent, innovative and impactful research necessary to seize opportunities and realize positive local and global impact. Ontario Tech is an advocate for equity and is committed to ensuring representation of qualified persons in underrepresented groups within the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Program.  On May 9, 2019 Ontario Tech joined universities across Canada to advance institutional equity, diversity and inclusion, with the signing of the Dimensions Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Charter. Read about Ontario Tech President signs new equity, diversity and inclusion charter.

• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan

  Effective December 2017, the Canada Research Chairs Program required all institutions with five or more chairs to develop their own Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plans to ensure that recruitment to CRC positions is undertaken in a manner that provides access to the greatest range of qualified candidates.

  For an accessible format of this information, please contact research@ontariotechu.ca

  Select the button below to download the University’s CRCP EDI Action Plan:

  • EDI Action Plan 2019
  • EDI Action Plan 2018 
  • EDI Action Plan 2017 

   

• Progress Reports

  The Ontario Tech Office of Research Services values public accountability in the administration of the Canada Research Chairs Program (CRCP). As part of the university’s commitment to public accountability, all CRCP Equity, Diversity & Inclusion progress reports will be made publicly available. 

  For an accessible format of this information, please email research@ontariotechu.ca

  • December 2021-2022 CRCP Institutional EDI Progress Report
  • December 2020-2021 CRCP Institutional EDI Progress Report 
  • December 2019-2020 CRCP Institutional EDI Progress Report 
  • EDI Action Plan Progress Report 2018 

   

• Strategy for Raising Awareness of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Benefits

  Ontario Tech University will support greater equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Program by committing to:

  • Embed the values of EDI into our academic and research culture at all levels, starting at the top. This begins with an institutional equity statement that is reflected in all policies and procedures, as well as in the everyday actions of senior leaders, administrators, faculty and students.
  • Ongoing rigorous self-assessment to keep appraised of our community’s composition and needs. We commit to pan-university data collection to gather baseline data and analyze it through an intersectional EDI lens in order to better inform our institutional EDI strategy by identifying barriers to EDI in the CRC Program and in the research culture at large.
  • Attract and retain diverse talent to the CRC Program, and to the university at large. We will proactively consider EDI in the recruitment process to diversify our pool of CRC applicants. We will create an inclusive workplace that offers equitable access to resources and opportunities by providing suitable support and mentorship to faculty members in the four designated groups—women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples and members of visible minorities.

  Starting July 2020, the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging under the Office of the Provost deployed a high-touch communication strategy to raise awareness of CRC EDI priorities and provide training for faculty, researchers, students and staff to support Ontario Tech's ongoing development of a strategic EDI institutional framework that centers around research and innovation.  

  For more information about the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging visit the Inclusive Ontario Tech website or contact inclusive@ontariotechu.ca

• Governance plan for the approval of the CRCP EDI Action Plan

  An Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee has been established to help transition the CRCP EDI Action Plan implementation until such time as the Pan-University Committee is established.  The EDI Steering Committee is comprised of the following members:

  • Lori Livingston, Provost and Vice-President, Academic
  • Les Jacobs, Vice-President Research and Innovation
  • Ruth Nyaamine, Assistant Vice-President, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
  • Jennifer Freeman, Executive Director, Office of Research Services

  The university policy framework is available for review under the Office of the University Secretary and General Counsel.

• Contact Information of Individuals Responsible for Implementing Ontario Tech’s EDI Agenda

  The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee is responsible for implementing Ontario Tech’s EDI agenda. Questions regarding equity, diversity and inclusion at Ontario Tech or about the University’s  CRCP EDI agenda can be directed to the EDI Steering Committee: 

  • Lori Livingston, Provost and Vice-President, Academic 
    • T 905.721.8668 ext. 5467

  • Les Jacobs, Vice-President, Research and Innovation
    • T 905.721.8668 ext. 3267

  • Ruth Nyaamine, Assistant Vice-President, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
    • T 905.721.8668 ext. 6241

  • Jennifer Freeman, Executive Director, Office of Research Services
    • T 905.721.8668 ext. 3176 
• Monitoring and Addressing EDI and Human Rights Concerns

  Ontario Tech University promotes an environment that is equitable, inclusive and accessible, and does not tolerate, ignore or condone discrimination or harassment by or against anyone.  The university is committed to providing an environment in which all university members are treated with dignity, and to fostering a climate of understanding and mutual respect. The university has an established Policy Library that contains the policies and procedures for a variety of human rights and EDI areas of concern:

  • Accommodation Policy
  • Accommodation for Employees and Job Applicants with Disabilities (Procedures)
  • Ethical Conduct Policy
  • Respectful Campus Policy
  • Procedures to Prevent and Address Discrimination and Harassment by or Against Employees
  • Policy Against Violence in the Workplace
  • Procedures to Prevent and Address Violence in the Workplace 

  The university’s Human Rights Office promotes a respectful campus and works with community members to ensure a study, work and living environment free from discrimination, harassment and sexual violence. The Human Rights Office provides supports and tools to campus parties involved in human rights-related conflict. It supports de-escalation, dialogue, facilitated discussions, mediation and formal investigations. The Human Rights Office also maintains dispute statistics and reports annually to the university’s Board of Governors.

  Confidential consultations are available to anyone who wants to understand their rights or who suspects a policy breach. Individuals can also report concerns formally to the Human Rights Office. Wherever possible, the Human Rights Office will employ early and informal resolution practices to resolve conflict and restore the university environment. If these techniques are not appropriate or fail to resolve the matter, the Human Rights Office will ensure matters are addressed in a manner consistent with the university’s various human rights policy instruments. For more information on the university’s Human Rights Program, please e-mail humanrights@ontariotechu.ca. 

  If the concern relates to an employee in the University Secretary and General Counsel’s Office, including a member of the Human Rights Office, the concern may be directed to hrgeneral@ontariotechu.ca.

  Faculty, research personnel, staff and students may also contact the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at inclusive@ontariotechu.ca to report any equity-, diversity- or inclusion-related matters. Students may wish to connect directly with the Equity & Inclusivity Advisor, Student Life at equity@ontariotechu.ca.

• CRCP Equity Targets and Data

  Institutional Requirements for Establishing Equity Targets

  Institutions participating in the CRC Program must establish equity targets to ensure that individuals who often face systemic barriers in employment (women and gender minorities, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples and racialized individuals) participate in the program. The program monitors the institutions’ progress toward meeting their established targets. More information on the target-setting methodology and program statistics is available on the CRC website.  

  Ontario Tech University Equity Targets for the 2021-2029 Period 

  Equity Target Deadlines	Indigenous Peoples	Persons with disabilities	Racialized individuals	Women and gender-equity seeking groups
  December 2022	N/A	N/A	16.00%	33.00%
  December 2025	N/A	N/A	17.50%	37.00%
  December 2027	N/A	N/A	19.90%	44.00%
  December 2029	N/A	N/A	22.0%	50.9%

   

  Ontario Tech’s representation of individuals from the four designated groups within active CRC chairs as of January 1, 2024

  Designated Group	Total Representation  (No. of Chairs)	Total Representation (% of Total, 9)	December 2022 Equity Targets (# of Chairs)	December 2025 Equity Targets (# of Chairs)	2029 Equity Target (%)
  Indigenous Peoples	withheld	withheld	0	0	0.0
  Persons with disabilities	withheld	withheld	0	0	0.0
  Racialized individuals	withheld	withheld	2	2	22.0
  Women and gender-equity seeking groups	withheld**	withheld**	4	3	50.9

  Note: The data is based on self-identification and includes all chairs (new and renewals) active, and nominations submitted as of January 1^st, 2024.

  To protect the privacy of Chairholders, all numbers less than five and associated percentages are withheld in accordance with the Privacy Act.

  **Ontario Tech University is not currently meeting the 2022 interim equity target for this group.

• Policies and Procedures that Govern Staffing of Canada Research Chairs

  Ontario Tech University is committed to the principles of Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) in all matters, including in the selection and renewal of CRCs.  Ontario Tech’s policies and procedures related to the recruitment and renewal of CRCs are listed below and are also available in the University’s Policy Library:

  • Canada Research Chairs Allocation Procedure
  • Canada Research Chairs Advancement Procedure
  • Institutional Support for Canada Research Chairs
  • Canada Research Chairs Recruitment Procedure
  • Canada Research Chairs Renewal Procedure

  Additional information relevant to the hiring and retention of tenure and tenure track faculty members at Ontario Tech that apply to CRCs at Ontario Tech University can be found in the Faculty Association Collective Agreement and the University’s Policy Library.  

• Allocation and Utilization of Canada Research Chairs

  Ontario Tech’s Canada Research Chair Utilization Spreadsheet is maintained by the Canada Research Chair Program and includes the number of CRCs allocated to Ontario Tech, how many are filled and by whom, and types of “flex” moves. Profiles of current and former Chairholders are highlighted on our Research Chairs website.

  Chart last updated 3/13/2024. Ontario Tech has a total CRC allocation of 10 (3 are Tier 1 and 7 are Tier 2).

  Convergence #	Chairholder	Start Date	End Date	Agency	Tier	Status
  102133	Williamson, Sheldon	7/1/2020	6/30/2025	NSERC	2	Active
  102132	Hughes, Janette	7/1/2020	6/30/2025	SSHRC	2	Active
  102642	Lewis, Peter	6/1/2021	5/31/2026	NSERC	2	Active
  101841	Dubrowski, Adam	7/1/2019	6/30/2026	CIHR	1	Active
  101435	Elgazzar, Khalid	1/1/2023	12/31/2027	NSERC	2	Active
  102592	Hangan, Horia	5/1/2021	4/30/2028	NSERC	1	Active
  101170	Samuels -Wortley, Kanika	7/1/2023	6/30/2028	SSHRC	2	Active
  101818	Under Embargo	1/1/2024	12/31/2031	NSERC	2	Active
  105107				SPECIAL	1	Available
  101128				NSERC	2	Available

  Flex moves used:

  1. Split NSERC 105116 into 105117 and 105118
  2. Move SSHRC 105114 to CIHR 105115
• Active and Archived CRC Advertisements

  Current CRC Advertisements

  • Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Canada Research Chair (CRC) (Tier 2) – Advanced Nuclear Engineering

  Archived CRC Advertisements for the Past Three Years

  2021 Advertisements - Closed and Archived:

  • Faculty of Social Science and Humanities Canada Research Chair (CRC)(Tier 2) - Criminology and Social Justice
  • Faculty of Social Science and Humanities Canada Research Chair (CRC) (Tier 2) - Decolonizing Criminology 
• Transparency Statement/Posting for Emergency Retention

  There are no postings for emergency retention.