STLHE individual and institutional members have done much work on inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism. But much more needs to be done.

We know there are many obstacles faced by equity deserving groups – groups including, but not limited to, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of racialized groups, persons with different socioeconomic status and members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

As educators, we must devote our energy, talents, and resources to raising awareness about our history and the destructive impacts of exclusion, inequity and racism. We must learn ways of eliminating this scourge from our institutions and communities by focusing our attention on structural and systemic change.

STLHE is pleased to announce the membership of the Equity Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, representing the diversity within the STLHE membership. Members bring different perspectives and lived experiences in a variety of ways: from groups within STLHE, student perspectives, BIPOC, geographic diversity, college and university representation and diverse social identities.

Joy Mighty, Chair

Dr. Joy Mighty brings to the Task Force an eclectic academic background and a wealth of experience as a senior administrator, teacher, educational developer, researcher and consultant. Drawing on the challenges she has faced as an immigrant Black woman, Joy’s EDI work is grounded in knowledge and understanding of the isolation, stereotyping, microaggressions, discrimination, and systemic racism faced by BIPOC scholars in higher education. 

Ann Braithwaite

Dr. Ann Braithwaite is Professor in and Coordinator of Diversity and Social Justice Studies at UPEI. She has a long history of both founding and being active on a number of equity and inclusion committees at UPEI, including being the current co-chair of the Arts and Sciences Equity and Inclusion Group. Ann passionately believes that her scholarship around disciplinarity and social justice must include also working to effect change around her, and especially in the university.

Jacky Deng

Jacky Deng (he/him) is a Chinese-Canadian PhD student in chemistry education at the University of Ottawa. His research examines how English-language assessments impact the learning experiences of students from diverse language backgrounds. Jacky has facilitated workshops on anti-racism in STEM for graduate students across North America and worked closely with other student leaders to advocate for institutional EDI action plans. He wants to ensure that students have a voice when discussing the cultural changes that are needed to make EDI efforts sustainable within higher education.

Shaobo Huang

Dr. Shaobo Huang is an assistant professor in the College of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. She is interested in inclusive curriculum design for engineering students.

Brian Leacock

Brian Leacock is a teaching professor at the Gustavson School of Business (GSB) at the University of Victoria.  In addition to being faculty, Brian has a dual role as Associate Director of GSB International and supports all aspects of the global orientation of the school, including one of the largest mobility programs (100+ international academic partnerships in 40 countries).  His current area of scholarly inquiry focuses on intercultural competency development (conceptualization, assessment, and pedagogical innovation/training) for leadership in a globalized and integrated world.

Valerie Lopes

Dr. Valerie Lopes is a Professor at Seneca College in the School of Arts and Science.  She advocates for inclusive (digital and physical) learning spaces, curriculum relevant to diverse contexts and equitable assessment practices. She is particularly interested in examining the ways in which implicit and/or unconscious biases and stereotypes impact EDI practices.  She serves on the Task Force as the STLHE Board Representative.

Rodrigo Narro Pérez

Rodrigo Narro Pérez (he/him/él) is a PhD Candidate in the School of Earth, Environment & Society at McMaster University. His research interests include glacial sedimentology and geomorphology, geoscience field-based education, Latin American & Latinx Studies. He has been involved in various anti-racist initiatives and is the current co-convener for the Race, Racism and Racialization Working Group (R3) at McMaster University. He is passionate about anti-racist and decolonial pedagogies which he implements in his courses.

Pamela Toulouse

Dr. Pamela Rose Toulouse is a proud Anishinaabe from Sagamok First Nation in Northern Ontario. She is a Full Professor in the Faculty of Education at Laurentian University and is entering her 27th year in the field. Dr. Pam is fondly known for her interactive teaching, commitment to equity and passion for learning.

The Task Force will review emerging issues and current practices in EDI with a view to identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement and developing recommendations for specific action items with a focus on: 

1. STLHE’s work and activities as an organization; and 
2. STLHE as a national advocate on teaching and learning in higher education

As part of its work, the Task Force will consult with the membership and constituency groups over the coming months.

The Task Force will submit a report to the STLHE Membership in May 2021.