Government of Canada takes action to increase equity, diversity in research
Nov 02, 2017, 10:30 ET
Changes to the Canada Research Chairs Program will lead to greater diversity among Canada's leading scientists
OTTAWA, Nov. 2, 2017 /CNW/ - Science is strongest when all people—regardless of their gender, race or heritage—are encouraged to ask questions, share their ideas and shape how we understand the world around us. The Government of Canada understands this and is committed to fostering greater equity, diversity and inclusion in the sciences so that all Canadians have the chance to discover and innovate in ways that lead to news skills and jobs, a cleaner environment and a stronger economy.
To deliver on this commitment, Kirsty Duncan, the Minister of Science, today announced a series of changes to the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Program. The changes are informed by recommendations made in the Fundamental Science Review and include:
- Limiting Tier 1 chairs to a single renewal, allowing chairholders to hold a maximum of two, seven-year terms;
- Allowing universities additional flexibility to convert chairs between Tier 1 and Tier 2 and across disciplines until December 2019 to promote greater uptake of diverse researchers into these prestigious positions; and
- Revising the distribution of regular chair allocations across the federal research granting councils to promote research excellence in the natural sciences and engineering, health sciences, and social sciences and humanities.
By announcing these changes, Minister Duncan continues to implement policies that address the chronic underrepresentation of women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities and persons with disabilities in the CRC Program.
In addition to these changes, universities have been given a deadline of this December to submit Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plans that will map out how they will meet the diversity and equity targets. Universities that do not meet their targets risk having new CRC Program funding withdrawn.
By creating a welcoming culture of science, the Minister is ensuring the future of Canadian research is diverse, inclusive and open to all talented people who are eager to make a difference in the sciences.
Quotes
"We must make every effort to give more people – women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities and persons with disabilities – the chance to make their greatest contribution to research. Today's changes to the CRC Program will encourage greater diversity in research and will show Canadians that they have a place in science no matter their gender, race or heritage."
- Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science
"The Canada Research Chairs Program is building research excellence in Canada through its pursuit of a more equitable, diverse and inclusive research landscape. As such, it is the cornerstone of a national strategy to make Canada one of the world's top countries in research and development in engineering and the natural sciences, health sciences, and social sciences and humanities."
- Ted Hewitt, President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Chair of the Canada Research Chairs Program Steering Committee
Quick facts
- The Canada Research Chairs Program invests approximately $265 million per year to help postsecondary institutions attract and retain the world's most accomplished and promising minds.
- There are currently 1659 active chairholders at 76 institutions across Canada.
- This series of changes is another example of the government taking action in response to the advice of the Fundamental Science Review. The move also follows recommendations made by the 15th-year evaluation of the Canada Research Chairs Program.
- The Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat is responsible for the administration of the Canada Research Chairs Program.
Associated links
Program Updates – CRC Changes to Tier 1 Renewals
The Canada Research Chairs Program
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan
Follow Minister Duncan on social media.
Twitter: @ScienceMin
Instagram: sciencemin
Follow the Canada Research Chairs Program.
Twitter: @CRC_CRC
SOURCE Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
Renseignements: Ann Marie Paquet, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Science, 613-404-2733, [email protected]; Julia Gualtieri, Media Relations Advisor, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, 613-944-4347, [email protected]