Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at the RI-MUHC

At the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), we are committed to identifying and fully recognizing our challenges in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and we commit to working towards resolution of these challenges for the benefit of all members of our community, regardless of their identities, affiliations and experiences.

We believe that diversity is a strength. We believe that our work environment should allow individuals to express their differences, and that these differences should be welcomed and celebrated. We aim to prevent obstacles to attraction, recruitment, retention, recognition and advancement, particularly for underrepresented groups. Our goal is to strengthen our organization through listening, education, reflection, learning and growth. To begin, we favour a position of openness and humility to achieve a better understanding of our community.

Definitions

Equity
At the RI-MUHC, we understand equity as the fair and appropriate treatment of individuals and groups according to their needs, experiences and abilities. We promote a distribution of resources and opportunities that ensures that equity-seeking groups have the same conditions for participation and success and overcome the systemic barriers they face.

Diversity
Diversity describes the presence of difference in a group of people. At the RI-MUHC, we understand diversity as the range of dimensions, qualities, and unique characteristics of human beings and identity differences (gender, race, sexuality, bodily capacity, ethnicity, religion, social status, etc.) present in any group of people. Our institutional approach aims to understand the oppressive experiences that social groups have had because of their differences, with the aim of transforming these oppressive conditions.

Inclusion
Inclusion is the goal of our approach. It creates a sense of belonging, which emerges when teams engage the full potential of individuals, where innovation thrives and views, beliefs and values are integrated (Burnette, 2018). We see inclusion as creating a culture that promotes equity, and that celebrates, respects, accepts and values difference. This vision of inclusion leads to transformations in organizational culture, the effects of which are felt at both individual and collective levels.

Our policy and action plan

Read our complete EDI policy (Download in pdf format).

Read our EDI action plan (Download in pdf format).

EDI Advisory Committee

The Institute's EDI Advisory Committee is a participative body, representative of the diversity of its members. It promotes discussion and understanding of EDI obstacles and initiatives among Institute members, and address them at the institutional level. It provides advice and recommendations on EDI matters to the Institute's management and to the Human Resources and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Board of Directors, and follows up on these recommendations.

News and Events

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We are proud to celebrate our news in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

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The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre supports numerous speakers, seminars, and webinars focused on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

Equity-seeking groups at the RI-MUHC

Equity-seeking groups are those who, due to historical and systemic barriers, face significant obstacles in achieving true equality of opportunities in various domains. At the RI-MUHC, we prioritize six equity-seeking groups: women, people living with a disability, Indigenous people, members of visible minorities or racialized groups, members of ethnic minorities and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

2SLGBTQIA+
community

Ethnic
minorities

Researchers working with
Indigenous peoples

People with disabilities

Racialized women

Women

Our EDI partners

  • MUHC Board of Directors’ Committee for Action on Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (C-AIDE)
  • The RI-MUHC is a proud Employer Partner of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, which allows its community to have access to a large variety of resources and webinars free of charge.
  • The RI-MUHC is a member of the national Leadership Circle for Indigenous Inclusion from Indigenous Works.
  • RI-MUHC researchers and administrators who are willing to recruit people with disabilities or looking for support for team members with disabilities can benefit from the services of our partners Aim Croit and Moëlle épinière motricité Québec.
Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion logo
Indigenous Works logo

Resources and information

The RI-MUHC Inclusive Writing Guide

Challenging Barriers: Recruiting and Retaining People with Disabilities. 2024 institutional guide

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the RI-MUHC Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program (BRaIN)

Our Words Matter: Inclusion and Respect, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University

Social Accountability and Community Engagement (SACE) Office, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University

Event Calendar, Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion

Lifeworks Wellbeing Solutions

Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse

MUHC Board of Directors’ Committee for Action on Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (C-AIDE)

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR)

Contact Us

If you believe that you, or someone you know, are being subjected to harassment, stereotyping or prejudicial assumptions, please contact edi.ri@muhc.mcgill.ca.

To make a suggestion or participate in events supporting EDI at the RI-MUHC, please contact edi.ri@muhc.mcgill.ca.

Diego Herrera, PhD. (he, him)
Diego Herrera, PhD. (he, him)

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist

Aurore Palanque (She, her)
Aurore Palanque (She, her)

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor