Nominations for 2024 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Awards now open

The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (OEDI) is pleased to announce an institution-wide call for nominations of exceptional UCalgary campus community members including students (undergraduate and graduate), faculty, postdoctoral fellows, staff and teams who are transforming our campus through the lens and action of equity, diversity and inclusion.

The annual EDI Awards aim to recognize and celebrate the outstanding, passionate, and dedicated contributions made by members of the UCalgary campus community in promoting, advancing, and embedding equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility within all aspects of campus life. This includes embedding EDI principles and practices within teaching and learning, research and scholarship, community engagement, and in living and working environments.

“Each year, the EDI Awards serve as an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge members of our campus community who are committed to human rights and justice, and work to actively advance equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility at the University of Calgary,” says Dr. Malinda Smith, vice-provost and associate vice-president of research (equity, diversity and inclusion).

“Equity and human rights work can be difficult and at times goes unrecognized. Through the EDI Awards, we are able to publicly acknowledge nominees and winners alike for their courageous actions that make our campus a more equitable, safe, affirming and inclusive place for members of equity-deserving groups and for all who work, learn and live on our campuses.”

At UCalgary, equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility are foundational values, practices and strategic commitments across all areas of teaching, learning, research, service and community engagement. They enable excellence, innovation and creativity. We work collaboratively as a campus community to foster positive change for all members of our community and beyond.

The call for nominations for the 2024 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Awards is officially open from Monday, Oct. 16, and will be accepted until Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 11:59 p.m. MT.

The OEDI invites members of our campus community to submit their nominations for the 2024 awards in the following categories:   

• Leadership 
• Faculty, including professors and lectures
• Undergraduate students 
• Graduate students
• Non-management staff
• Management staff
• Sessional instructors
• Postdoctoral fellows
• Teams

Award nominations should describe the nominee’s outstanding contributions in a role, practice, event, applied research, policy, program or other activities that foster a more equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible campus. Contributions should highlight sustainable and measurable change for any group traditionally underrepresented on campus. It can be ongoing work, or an outstanding accomplishment at a point in time.  

Examples include, but are not limited to:  

• A strategic plan and action program that recognizes the importance of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility
• An ongoing action, initiative or program that helps students from an equity-deserving group feel welcome, included and a sense of belonging  
• A tool or practice that provides accommodations for an equity-deserving group, e.g., increased accessibility for people with disabilities  
• An initiative or action aiming at adapting or changing procedures, policies or practices to make them more equitable and inclusive
• Initiatives to promote pluralism, anti-racism, accessibility, trans visibility  
• Exemplifying leadership in fostering an equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible campus 

Nominations should present specific and concrete examples to illustrate how the nominee meets each of the eligibility and award criteria, showing the nominee’s outstanding efforts and accomplishments toward advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility at the University of Calgary.