Equitable Futures: Advancing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion...

Equitable Futures: Advancing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization (EDI-D) in Canadian Academic Life

Featuring: Dr. Candace Brunette-Debassige (Western), Dr. Nicole Kaniki (Toronto),  and Dr. Mark Daley (Western)

We have invited three dynamic experts to reflect on their experience of leading change at Western: Dr. Candace Brunette-Debassige, the former Special Advisor to the Provost on Indigenous Initiatives, was a leader in the development and implementation of Western’s Indigenous Strategic Plan (2017-18) as well as the creation of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Dr. Nicole Kaniki, the former Special Advisor to the President on Anti-Racism, spearheaded several EDI initiatives at Western and helped to create the new Office of the Associate Vice-President of EDI. Dr. Mark Daley, the Special Advisor to the President on Data Strategy, helped to design the data governance policy for the Western Equity Census, the university’s first-ever comprehensive demographic survey.

These three experts will reflect on their time as special advisors at Western, and to consider how we can identify and challenge systematic barriers to full participation in our university life. With the launch of the Western Equity Census this month, we will also explore how Western and universities across Canada can use demographic data to transform our institutions for the benefit of students, faculty, and staff.