Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in UBC's Research Community: Dimensions Pilot

The UBC Dimensions pilot project is co-led by the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation and UBC's Equity & Inclusion Office.

During the pilot, UBC will conduct a comprehensive institutional scan of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI)-related policies, programs, practices and initiatives, and perform an in-depth, reflective assessment of the university’s research-related systems, practices and culture. This will help to inform the development of an action plan with goals that address identified gaps, barriers and trends in EDI within the UBC research ecosystem. As a participating institution, UBC will contribute to the development of the federal program’s design and delivery by providing relevant feedback to the Tri-Agency Dimensions team.

The Dimensions program aims to enable transformational change within the research community at Canadian post-secondary institutions by identifying and eliminating obstacles and inequities for marginalized and under-represented people. UBC’s participation in the Dimensions program reinforces our commitment to ensure equitable access to funding opportunities, increase equitable and inclusive participation in research and embed EDI-related considerations in research design and practices across the institution.

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UBC'S DIMENSIONS PILOT OBJECTIVES

• Convene a diverse and inclusive self-assessment team
  A diverse team from across UBC’s research community will carry out the self-assessment and, later, develop the action plan. The team comprises faculty, staff and students, and includes representation from equity-seeking groups identified in the Dimensions program, including but not limited to, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities/racialized groups, and members of LGBTQ2+ communities.
  DETAILS
• Perform an institutional scan 
  The UBC Dimensions project team and the self-assessment team will conduct a thorough assessment of institutional EDI-related data (both quantitative and qualitative) to inform a comprehensive, in-depth, and intersectional understanding of the contexts and experiences that result from inequities, underrepresentation and exclusion among members of UBC's research community.
  DETAILS
• Develop a Dimensions action plan
  Informed by the institutional self-assessment, the UBC self-assessment team will create an action plan that seeks to address systemic barriers experienced by historically underserved, marginalized or excluded groups within the research ecosystem.
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• Submit an application to the Tri-Agencies for Dimensions recognition
  The university's self-assessment and action plan will form the basis of a full application to the Tri-Agencies for recognition as a Dimensions institution.
  DETAILS

UBC's self-assessment will leverage the findings and recommendations of UBC's existing strategies and plans in the area of EDI. This includes, but is not limited to, UBC’s:

• Strategic plan, Shaping UBC's Next Century​
  • ​Strategy 4: Inclusive Excellence
  • Strategy 10: Research Culture
• Inclusion Action Plan
• Indigenous Strategic Plan
• Canada Research Chairs EDI Action Plan
• Together Against Racism and Injustice, a strategic initiative of the university president

The self-assessment will also touch on a variety of elements, including access, admissions, recruitment, career development, job security, pay, working and learning conditions, resources, retention, and the career progression of members of the UBC research community, i.e., students, postdoctoral fellows, part-time and full-time academic staff, non-academic and support staff, and research partners.

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