New action plan focuses on enhancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in UBC’s research ecosystem

You may be aware that UBC was a participant in the federal Dimensions: equity diversity and inclusion Canada pilot program. The pilot began in 2019 with an aim to better support members of historically, persistently or systemically marginalized groups in the research ecosystem.

Today, we are pleased to share one of the key results of that pilot, UBC's Dimensions action plan for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in Research. You can read a summary and access the full action plan on the UBC Equity & Inclusion Office website.

An extensive self-assessment process, which involved parties from across the university, informed the development of the action plan. The federal government announced today that UBC has been awarded a ‘construction’ designation in the Dimensions program, the second in the program’s four-stage cycle, acknowledging that the university’s efforts to advance EDI are strategic, coordinated and ongoing.

This update will also be shared with the broader research community in the coming days.

The plan offers a lens on EDI that relates to both the university as a whole and to research-specific programs and support. It also details deliverable actions and objectives that can drive us towards greater equity, diversity and inclusion on our campuses and in our research ecosystem.

Implementation of the action plan will be coordinated by the Equity and Inclusion Office, through the Strategic Equity and Anti-Racism (StEAR) Framework. Thank you to the many people involved in the self-assessment process and the development of this action plan.

Gail C. Murphy
Vice-President, Research and Innovation

Philip Barker
Associate Vice-President and Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation, UBC Okanagan

Arig al Shaibah
Associate Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion