Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

The McGill CERC program in genomic medicine recognizes the importance of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) principles in order to achieve our goal to advance health for everyone. We expect every member of our team to contribute to promoting a supportive, safe and welcoming environment for students, faculty and staff in our program, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical ability, religion or nationality. The CERC team members are making the five following commitments and taking actions towards equitable, inclusive and diverse research projects, as well as training and work environment.

EDI commitments:

  1. Ensuring that research projects within the CERC Program include and benefit diverse social groups

  2. Equitable representation across ranks/groups among faculty and trainees working in connection with the Program

  3. Building an inclusive and respectful climate

  4. Developing and implementing an effective mode of receiving disclosures of EDI-related conflicts or challenges

  5. Transparency in commitments, metrics, progress, and outcomes

The initial CERC EDI strategy, prepared by the CERC EDI-in-Action Committee, outlined the five commitments above and specific actions. In 2023, the CERC team submitted a 2-page summary of progress on EDI activities for the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS) mid-term report. In 2024, applying TIPS’ mid-term review recommendations, the CERC-EAC decided to revised its EDI Strategy, and associated EDI Workplan/Roadmap until the end of the CERC Program.

The main changes are the following: producing a CERC annual EDI survey, organizing a retreat on EDI in CERC projects related to underrepresented groups, updating the student recruitment processes to improve the representation of Canadian diversity, as well as implementing a targeted recruitment strategy corresponding to various projects' needs. The Program’s EDI Strategy is fundamental and transversal, cutting across the scientific, governance, recruitment, and training facets of the Program.

CERC EDI Strategy - Version 2

 

Advancing Equity in Genetics and Genomics in Canada (AEG2C)

On November 9th and 10th, 2022, we were pleased to organize an international two-day symposium on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in Genomics entitled: "Advancing Equity in Genetics and Genomics in Canada (AEG2C)".

This event was co-organized and supported by the McGill Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Genomic Medicine and the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR) Institute of Genetics. We received additionnal support from Genome Canada and Génome Québec.

This symposium highlighted the importance and value of inclusion and diversity in genomics to advance our understanding of the mechanisms of diseases and to promote health equity. It also presented best practices for making the genomics research enterprise diverse, inclusive, and beneficial to all. Lessons learned from international research initiatives engaging with diverse populations were showcased, as well as those arising from genomic studies in Quebec and Canada.

You will find all the recorded sessions on this link: AEG2C 2022 and below:

 

Ressources

TRAININGS

Conflict resolution

In situation of conflict, please refer to the resources below. The Department of Human Genetics suggests a conflict resolution procedure for student - supervisor and supervisor - student situations. The Office for Mediation and Reporting (OMR) offers support to learn about policies and processes; to file an official report of discrimination, harassment, or sexual violence; or to connect to additional supports. The EDI first responders are volunteers who have followed a training from McGill Equity Office to redirect people to the right ressources.

McGill University is on land which has long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst Indigenous peoples, including the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabeg nations. We acknowledge and thank the diverse Indigenous peoples whose presence marks this territory on which peoples of the world now gather.