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Webinar Report & Recording: “Embedding Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) in Research-Intensive Organizations”

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How can research-intensive organizations embed inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) to increase innovation, drive productivity and support the attraction and retention of top talent?

Building on our recently published Health Intelligence report on inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA), we convened an exceptional panel of leaders on October 22nd, 2020, to discuss embedding IDEA in research-intensive organizations. Over 100 people across Canada and around the world—representing universities, academic health sciences centres, government agencies, non-profits and biopharmaceutical and life sciences companies—attended this virtual webinar.

We are grateful to the expert panelists who shared their unique lived experiences, their advice and their calls to action with us. Facilitated by Dr. Ryan Wiley, President, Shift Health and Dr. Anne Mullin, Principal, Shift Health, the panel featured: 

  • Dr. Imogen Coe, Founding Dean and Professor, Faculty of Science, Ryerson University
  • Dr. Ivan Joseph, Vice President, Student Affairs, Wilfrid Laurier University
  • Dr. Jackie Ottmann, Vice Provost, Indigenous Engagement at University of Saskatchewan
  • Dr. Mahadeo Sukhai, Head of Research and Chief Accessibility Officer, Canadian National Institute for the Blind

To capture key insights from the webinar discussion, we developed a Webinar Report, “Embedding Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) in Research-Intensive Organizations,” which identifies two features that make research-intensive organizations unique in their aspiration to advance IDEA principles, practices and cultures. First, research-intensive organizations are, by definition, creating knowledge and generating innovations that will define our future. Second, research-intensive organizations share a set of paradigms, practices and cultural touchstones that can conceal or deny the systemic prejudices and barriers they can simultaneously reinforce and propagate: merit; scientific objectivity; excellence; collegiality; reason.

The webinar report also explores our panelists’ answers to five key questions aimed at better understanding IDEA and how to embed its principles in a way that ensures transformative and sustainable change:

  1. What is needed to make careers in research more accessible to more people and re-imagine the tools we use to do research?
  2. How can we uplift Indigenous ways of knowing and being in science and scholarship?
  3. Where should research-intensive organizations start?
  4. What is needed to create an environment in which designated hires can thrive?
  5. What can we do now and what should we measure as we strive to embed IDEA in research-intensive organizations?

Download the full webinar report HERE, and view the session recording below:

Based on the feedback we have received from the session, we are planning future opportunities for discussion and engagement and we will be sure to share information on the upcoming sessions as they develop.