Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Indigenization
The Cranston Group aligns itself with UBC and fosters Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Indigenization initiatives towards social justice in higher education and beyond. We are committed to building equitable, diverse, and inclusive research and educational spaces. Below, you’ll see some of our progress, actions, and ways in which we still want to improve. We are always trying to learn, so any suggestions or comments would be welcome!
Image © 2017, Saskatchewan Health Authority
“Diversity: A concept meant to convey the existence of difference. Each person’s unique combination of differences contributes to their experiences in ways that can be both positive and negative. Diversity is not a spectrum or a measure. One person cannot be more diverse than another. Diversity is created when people who are different from one another come together and includes everyone in the room.
Equity: In the university context, equity requires the creation of opportunities for historically, persistently, or systemically marginalized populations of students, staff, and faculty to have equal access to education, programs, and growth opportunities that are capable of closing achievement gaps.This requires recognizing that not everyone is starting from the same place or history, and that deliberate measures to remove barriers to opportunities may be needed to ensure fair processes and outcomes.
Inclusion: An active, intentional, and continuous process to address inequities in power and privilege and build a respectful and diverse community that ensures welcoming spaces and opportunities to flourish for all. It is important to note that inclusion and Indigenization are two seemingly related concepts with distinct histories, contexts, and frames of reference. It cannot be assumed inclusion is a substitute for Indigenization/Decolonization.” from UBC’s Equity & Inclusion Office
Diverse teams solve problems faster and better.
- Forbes: How Diverse Teams Produce Better Outcomes
- Scientific American: How Diversity Makes Us Smarter
- McKinsey: Why Diversity Matters
- Luther College: Intersectionality Toolkit
- Journal of Chemical Education: Policies and Practices to Improve the Chemistry Graduate Student Experience
- Dimensions: equity, diversity and inclusion Canada
Who We Are
Ways to Get Involved
Bioproducts Institute EDI.I Committee
InSTEM by UBC Geering Up
UBC Equity and Inclusion Office
Women in Engineering or Society of Canadian Women in Science and Technology or
Canadian Women in Chemistry (CWIC) Network
What We Do
Our diverse team is always learning. Group members are encouraged and supported in attending and giving presentations, workshops, and conferences related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Indigenization. Some recent examples have included: Make It Awkward workshops, the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge, Indigenous Canada offered for free by the University of Alberta, and mental health workshops. In response to the global uprising in 2020, we penned an open letter to our scientific community and committed ourselves as a force against racism prevalent in academic institutions. In 2022, we discussed “So You Want to Talk About Race” by Ijeoma Oluo in our Anti-Racism bookclub, and once every semester, a group meeting is devoted to discussing the values of diversity with the aim of educating and improving our understanding and conduct. In 2023, we initiated a new Journal Club where half of the meeting is focused on a journal article related to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Listen to our Group’s Racial Equity Spotify Playlist