Our Office is tasked with reconciling EDII constructs and policies with the barriers that impact the daily lives of equity deserving members of our science community. A critically important priority is the development of interactions and respectful, reciprocal collaboration with Indigenous scholars and students. We can make progress in this task by harnessing the current considerable momentum within our Faculty, engaging with EDII student, staff and faculty leaders and committees within our Departments, Schools and units, collaborating with EDII offices and initiatives outside the Faculty and considering science-specific, progressive policies and strategic initiatives.

We will work to facilitate coordination and collaboration with McMaster’s strong EDI scaffolding comprising the Equity and Inclusion Office (EIO), the Employment Equity Facilitator program, and organizations such as African and Caribbean Faculty Associate of McMaster (ACFAM) and President’s Advisory Committee on Building an Inclusive Community (PACBIC). At the same time, we plan to engage, connect and collaborate with our Indigenous scholars and students, and find pathways to implement the guidance provided in the Indigenous Strategic Directions by the Indigenous Education Council (IEC) and McMaster Indigenous Research Institute (MIRI).

Please join us by sharing your thoughts, vision, suggestions and time. Please contact us at adediisc@mcmaster.ca.