Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
We at the Snyder Institute affirm that collectively, we value diversity of all kinds, including race, ethnicity, colour, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, religion, and disability, and seek to promote the success and well-being of all our members. Thus, we are dedicated to creating a safe, secure, inclusive, positive, and supportive environment for all trainees, faculty, and staff.
The Snyder Institute Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Group
We’re pleased to announce Dr. Laura Sycuro, PhD, as the new Portfolio Lead of the Snyder EDI Action Group. Launched in Fall 2022 by Snyder trainees Dr. Karen Lithgow and Diana Changirwa, the Group currently has 30 members working to initiate policies and advance practices that address structural inequities, celebrate diversity and promote an inclusive environment for all.
Three sub-committees are managed by Action Leaders: one faculty member and one staff or trainee member.
The sub-committees are:
- Education – focusing on activities such as EDIA Moments and the EDIA Symposium
- Policy & Metrics – focusing on Surveys, Policy Integration and certification of Snyder EDIA Champions
- Initiatives – focusing on Food/Housing/Childcare Security and Inclusive Signage
Our core principles are:
- Everyone in our community is an EDIA learner
- Advancing EDIA requires a collective engagement of hearts and minds
- Implementing EDIA should be simple, practical, empowering and fun
- EDIA develops a sense of belonging – a cornerstone of thriving
The EDI Action Group meets on the 4th Monday of every other month, 10:30 - 11:45am, in HSC G382. Meetings:
- September 25, 2023, 10:30 am in G382
- November 27, 2023, 10:30 am in G382
- January 29, 2024, 10:30 am in G382
- March 25, 2024, 10:30 am in G382
- May 27, 2024, 10:30 am in G382
If you are interested in being involved in this important and exciting Action Group, please contact Dr. Sycuro.
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The University of Calgary has official procedures for reporting acts of harassment and violence that rely on individuals trained in such matters. Relevant resources can be found on the Cumming School of Medicine’s OPED website, the University of Calgary’s Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Support website, and the University of Calgary’s Protected Disclosure and Research Integrity Office website. Resources that may be of particular interest are the University of Calgary’s official harassment policy, workplace violence policy, sexual and gender-based violence policy, and procedure for protected disclosure. We encourage any member of the Snyder Institute to access these resources if you have observed or been a victim of acts of harassment, bullying, discrimination, and/or violence.
Those who wish to make an anonymous report can do so by calling the Protected Disclosure and Research Integrity Office Confidence Line at 1.800.661.9675, or by contacting Shirley Voyna Wilson, Senior Protected Disclosure Advisor at disclose@ucalgary.ca /403.220.4086; or Anne Wigham, Protected Disclosure and Research Integrity Advisor at disclose@ucalgary.ca/403.220.5941.
With overwhelming input from our membership, discussions are underway with the Snyder Institute Trainee Committee and faculty to launch an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) portfolio at the Snyder Institute in the coming months. We will provide more information about this initiative soon. Please watch our website and monthly newsletter for updates.
The health and well-being of Snyder trainees, faculty and staff are of utmost importance. If you have an issue that you would like to discuss, please feel free to reach out to Snyder Institute Director Dr. Derek McKay (dmckay@ucalgary.ca) or Deputy Director, Dr. Kamala Patel, (kpatel@ucalgary.ca).