Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

What is equity, diversity and inclusion?

• Equity is the fair and respectful treatment of all people. Equity is the process; equality is the result.
• Diversity is the demographic mix of the community, with a focus on the representation of equity-deserving groups.
• Inclusion is the creation of an environment where everyone feels welcome, is treated with respect, and is able to fully participate.

What are the benefits of equity, diversity and inclusion in a research environment?

The benefits of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in research are revealed in numerous studies that show that diverse and inclusive teams foster creativity, innovation and excellence, and produce research results that have greater impact and are more often cited.

What is OHRI doing to advance EDI?

The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) is committed to enhancing EDI and helping to drive deeper cultural change within the research ecosystem.

OHRI’s EDI Council is an advisory body charged with setting the Institute’s EDI agenda. The EDI Council makes recommendations on strategies to:

• Address systemic barriers that hinder full participation in the OHRI community by members of underrepresented or disadvantaged groups
• Enhance EDI

OHRI endorses the Dimensions Charter, an EDI initiative supported by Canada’s three federal research granting agencies.

What are the benefits of including pronouns in email signatures?

• Creates an inclusive environment: It lets your colleagues know that it is a safe place to freely express themselves and choose the pronouns by which they want to be referred. It also normalizes discussions on gender, leading to a more inclusive workplace.
• Shows respect and support for the LGBTQ2SA+ community: For cis-gendered individuals, declaring your pronouns is a way to show allyship with the LGBTQ2SA+ community and make it easier for trans or non-binary colleagues to be their authentic selves.
• Prevents misgendering: It ensures that everyone can be referred to by the pronouns that they prefer and also prevents misgendering for individuals with gender-neutral or ethnic names whose gender is not immediately obvious.

For more information, this guide to personal pronouns from The Ottawa Hospital.

Where can I find more information about EDI initiatives at OHRI?

Members of OHRI can visit the EDI section of OHRI’s internal website for more resources.