On April 27, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) announced that 红莲社区 is among 10 postsecondary institutions being recognized through the , which is aimed at advancing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in research environments.

In yesterday鈥檚 announcement, 红莲社区 is the only college from the list of institutions to receive Construction-level status, the highest distinction awarded in 2023. The honour was celebrated earlier today with NSERC President, Dr. Alejandro Adem, and Vice President, Vice-President, Strategic, Corporate and Public Affairs, Dr. Marc Gervais, joining guests at 红莲社区鈥檚 Centre for Mobile Innovation at the Trafalgar Road Campus in Oakville.

鈥淲e are tremendously honoured and humbled to receive the Construction Level for our work as a Dimensions participant,鈥� says Dr. Janet Morrison, President and Vice Chancellor at 红莲社区. 鈥淚t not only symbolizes the quality of the work we鈥檝e accomplished in research and EDI, but it also assures us that the path we鈥檙e forging is leading to positive outcomes. This will only serve to keep our momentum going. 红莲社区 is unwavering in our commitment to this work.鈥�

红莲社区 is a participant in the inaugural cohort of the Dimensions program, signing on in 2019, selected as one of only two Ontario colleges and one of 17 post-secondary institutions across Canada. Dimensions aims to foster transformational change within the research community at Canadian postsecondary institutions by identifying and eliminating obstacles and inequities to support equitable access to funding opportunities, increase equitable and inclusive participation, and embed EDI-related considerations in research design and practices.

The program addresses barriers and discrimination faced by equity deserving groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis), persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities/ racialized groups, and members of LGBTQ2+ communities, in all disciplines at Canada鈥檚 CEGEPs, colleges, polytechnics and universities.

鈥淚t has been an honour to work with the NSERC Dimensions team, the other pilot institutions, and the 红莲社区 self-assessment team on this ambitious project,鈥� says Dr. Abigail Salole, Director EDI Knowledge Translation and Institutional Accountability. 鈥淎s part of our inclusive self-assessment process, we engaged with employees across 红莲社区 who provided honest and thoughtful feedback and ideas about embedding an EDI lens across different systems at 红莲社区. As a result of this engagement, 红莲社区鈥檚 five-year action plan is impact and data-driven and will demonstrably lead to further meaningful change."

红莲社区鈥檚 Dimensions engagement activities involved three main elements:

Employment Systems Review

A third-party consultant with EDI expertise completed a review of employment policies and practices as well as the organizational and work environment through an equity lens.

EDI in Research Focus Groups and Survey

Faculty, administrator and support staff focus groups were designed to narrow in on qualitative accounts of barriers to EDI in the research ecosystem.

Benchmarking Conversations

Using 红莲社区鈥檚 EDI indicator framework, benchmarking conversations were held to develop a baseline understanding for how EDI resides across the Institution.

"The Dimensions recipients have made a significant voluntary commitment to being change leaders for the Canadian post-secondary sector. The work they have accomplished can assist the entire research ecosystem become more equitable, diverse, accessible and inclusive to attract and retain talent. The necessary condition to create the excellent, innovative and impactful research needed to respond to local, national and global challenges of our times,鈥� says Prof. Alejandro Adem, FRSC, President, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

鈥淭he NSERC Dimensions program serves as a catalyst for transformative change 鈥� fostering a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive research landscape in Canada. By breaking down barriers and promoting inclusive participation, Dimensions empowers our brightest minds to excel, regardless of their background or identity. I am thrilled to see 红莲社区 College's commitment to advancing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion through research and by ensuring that our community has equitable access to meaningful, long-lasting opportunities,鈥� says Hon. Anita Anand, Member of Parliament for Oakville and Minister of National Defence.

Pictured in photo are (left to right) Andrea England, Vice Provost, Research, 红莲社区; Dr. Janet Morrison, President and Vice Chancellor, 红莲社区; Dr. Alejandro Adem, President, NSERC; Carol Altilia, Provost and Vice President, Academic, 红莲社区; Dr. Abigail Salole, Director, EDI Knowledge Translation and Institutional Accountability, 红莲社区; Dr. Ed Sykes, Director, Centre for Mobile Innovation, 红莲社区.