Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI): Foundations and Principles
In this foundational workshop, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI): Foundations and Principles, participants will be introduced to equity and inclusion in practice within the context of the university's mission and commitments. Participants will also discuss applying EDI foundations and principles in their roles and their units' functions.
This foundational overview of EDI explores the concepts enhancing participants' understanding of equity, diversity, inclusion, unconscious bias, and microaggression and their application in the institutional setting. The interactive session will examine the impact of EDI issues on equity-deserving faculty, students, and staff and on the culture and climate of the university. Participants will also learn critical perspectives on equity, diversity, and inclusion and develop an understanding of commitments to and measures towards applying equity and inclusion principles in their roles and responsibilities.
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Knowledge Levels
Beginner, no background required
Duration
2 hours - break included
Audience
Open to campus community: students, senior/executive leaders, faculty, and staff
Core understanding of EDI
- Define the concepts of equity, diversity, inclusion, and underrepresented groups in the university context.
- Explore the context of equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education.
- Explain university commitments to and efforts towards greater equity and inclusion.
- Critical issues and perspectives on equity, diversity, inclusion, and under-representation.
New learnings
- Explain university commitments to and efforts towards greater equity and inclusion.
- Examine EDI frames of reference for strategic and action.
- Develop an understanding of commitments to and efforts towards greater equity and inclusion.
Facilitators
Dr. William Yimbo (he/him)
Dr. William Yimbo, Senior Advisor for EDI Literacy, Education, and Training at the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, holds degrees from the University of Nairobi and the University of Minnesota. He conducts workshops promoting equity and inclusion at the university, with prior experience in diversity advising for Canada's immigrant communities. With a background in public policy, he brings extensive experience in administration from Kenya, Africa.
Dr. Ghada Sfeir (she/her/elle)
Dr. Ghada Sfeir is the Senior Advisor for Anti-Racism and Racial Equity at the University of Calgary's Office of EDI. With a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies, her work centers on Cosmopolitanism, Multiculturalism, and Social Justice. She advocates for EDI principles, decolonization, and anti-racism to dismantle systemic barriers faced by marginalized groups. Previously at Concordia University, she taught from a social justice perspective and co-edited a special issue promoting cosmopolitan pathways for diversity in Canada.
It’s our collective responsibility to create a more equitable and inclusive UCaglary and we all have an important role to play by learning and unlearning.
Dr. Malinda S. Smith, PhD
Vice Provost (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) and Associate Vice-President Research (EDI)