Inclusive Research Practices
Monday, June 2, 2025
1:00-4:00 pm
For many researchers, the introduction to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) comes in the form of a dreaded checklist of “additional” requirements to work on during the process of grant writing. The struggle is real.
EDI-related concerns in research are hardly new. But while many researchers have grappled with issues like fair access to post-secondary education, access to research funding and opportunities, ethical practices around respondent confidentiality, methodologies that guard against confirmation bias, the ethical applications of their research, as well as found themselves critical of historically one-sided data collection happening in their field of research – they do not necessarily connect them to EDI.
This skills-building workshop conducted by the Education Team at the Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion (CHREI) from York University demystifies the incorporation of EDI in the research process and ecosystem. It will equip participants with a critical historical perspective regarding the links between research ethics and EDI – one that is grounded in a deeper understanding of the philosophy of science debates about the role of non-epistemic values in scientific reasoning and practice. Through scaffolded exercises and case studies, the workshop will help strengthen their skills in critical reflection as well as in developing and communicating their EDI goals in research effectively.
Registration is limited to students, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants and early career researchers.
There is limited enrolment in this workshop. Pre-registration will be required.
Facilitators:
Christine Sinclair (They/She, MSW) Senior DEDI Advisor, Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion (CHREI)
Christine has worked in gender-based violence, anti-poverty, international development, mental health advocacy, community work and Decolonization, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI) for over 20 years. Their most recent research work has focused on DEDI best-practices in post secondary institutions, but she has been involved in the research ecosystem from a variety of perspectives – from participant to lead researcher, interviewer to data analyst – and she brings an equitable and social justice lens, as well as a good dose of humility and humour, to all of it. Their work at the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion has surrounded the specific intersection of equity and higher education, in the classroom, the staff room, and the zoom room. Recently, she has supported the co-creation of an online DEDI self-reflection toolkit, and was a co-recipient of York University’s Decolonization, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award in 2024.
Suzanne Narian (she/they) Senior DEDI Advisor, Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion (CHREI)
Suzanne recently completed her PhD in Social Justice Education and Women and Gender Studies at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. Suzanne has also been an elementary school teacher at the Toronto District School Board for over 10 years, primarily working in marginalized neighbourhoods. They have also been a community organizer in Toronto for over 15 years working on social, political and economic justice issues. Suzanne currently works for the Centre of Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion at York University as a Senior Education and Communication Advisor. Suzanne uses this platform to teach decolonization and equity—and believes in using education as a tool to work towards justice in all its forms.
Carolina S. Ruiz, LLB, LLM Advisor, Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office (ARCDO), University of Toronto
Carol was a recipient of the 2022 Decolonization, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (DEDI) Presidential Staff Award at York University and has over twenty years of experience in the field of human rights, social justice, and equity with backgrounds in law, teaching university courses, adult education, non-profits, and journalism. Prior to joining ARCDO at the University of Toronto, she was a Senior DEDI Advisor at CHREI at York University, a sessional lecturer at the Women and Gender Studies and Sociology at the University of Toronto, and a practising human rights lawyer and law lecturer in Manila. Carol is also an alumnus of the Second City Conservatory Program, Bad Dog Theatre’s Grad Series Studio Program, actively performs in the Toronto Improv.