Advancing Equity in Science: Université de Montréal Joins Dimensions Canada Initiatives
Research excellence isn’t just about the quality of the data or the prestige of the lab; it’s about who gets to be in the room. To ensure the Canadian research ecosystem is truly innovative, it must be inclusive. The Université de Montréal (UdeM) is taking a significant step in this direction by participating in two major projects funded by the Dimensions Canada program.
Administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Dimensions Canada program focuses on collaboration and knowledge sharing. The goal is simple but ambitious: advance equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across the research landscape to create a more sustainable and fair environment for all scholars.
Transforming Research Practices for Long-Term Change
One of the primary hurdles in institutional change is moving from theoretical policy to daily practice. To address this, UdeM is leading a project headed by Vincent Poitout, a professor at the Faculty of Medicine and UdeM’s vice-rector of research and innovation.
With funding of $99,845, this initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Université Laval and Toronto Metropolitan University. Rather than implementing quick fixes, the project focuses on training research environments to achieve a sustainable transformation of practices. By grounding these changes in core EDI principles, the partnership aims to shift the culture of research from the ground up.
Breaking Barriers for Professors with Disabilities
While much of the conversation around EDI focuses on students and early-career researchers, the challenges faced by established faculty are often overlooked. UdeM has partnered in a second initiative specifically designed to address the academic journey of professors living with disabilities.
This project, led by Emmanuelle Careau, a professor at the École des sciences de la réadaptation at Université Laval, is supported by $100,000 in funding. The initiative brings together a diverse group of institutions, including the Université de Sherbrooke and the Cégep de Drummondville. By analyzing and improving the university path for professors with disabilities, the project seeks to remove systemic barriers that hinder professional growth and academic contribution.
Key Takeaways: EDI in Canadian Research
- Institutional Collaboration: Both projects emphasize that EDI cannot be achieved in isolation; they rely on partnerships between multiple universities and colleges.
- Targeted Funding: Through NSERC, specific financial resources are being directed toward both systemic cultural change and the support of marginalized faculty members.
- Sustainable Impact: The focus is on “sustainable transformation,” ensuring that inclusive practices become permanent fixtures of the research ecosystem rather than temporary trends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dimensions Canada program?
It is a program administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) that funds initiatives aimed at improving equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within the research community.
Who is leading the EDI initiatives at Université de Montréal?
One project is led by Vincent Poitout, UdeM’s vice-rector of research and innovation. UdeM is also a partner in a project led by Emmanuelle Careau from Université Laval.
What specific groups are these projects helping?
The initiatives focus on the broader research environment to make it more inclusive for everyone, with a specific project dedicated to improving the career paths of professors with disabilities.
The Path Forward
These investments represent more than just financial grants; they are a recognition that the future of Canadian science depends on inclusivity. By dismantling barriers for professors with disabilities and retraining research environments, UdeM and its partners are building a framework where talent—regardless of background or ability—can thrive. As these projects evolve, they will likely serve as blueprints for other institutions across Canada striving to turn EDI goals into tangible realities.