Talks and Workshops – Toronto TIDE

TIDE delivers talks or workshops designed to start conversations about inclusion, illustrate common patterns of (unconscious) bias, provide practical tools to mitigate bias in academic practices and processes, and discuss promising ways to create more diverse and equitable unit cultures. TIDE content is constantly evolving, and draws on the literature, the experiences of members at all levels of the professoriate and in leadership, and the ideas, programs, and challenges shared with us by colleagues across the university.

Talks typically include relevant data on representation, an explanation of how bias can affect professional decisions and assessment, examples of bias from the literature, and practical advice for personal practices or structural changes that can increase inclusion. Talks end with time for questions, and slides are shared after the talk including links to resources.

Our Introductory talks are an excellent way to begin education on bias and inclusion. More information about these talks is shared below.

Workshops include a talk followed by break-out group discussions centred on the analysis of scenarios that capture real-world manifestations of bias and exclusionary practices in academic contexts. Break-outs are followed by a plenary discussion, including additional slides providing resources on mitigating the main challenges in the scenario.

Since 2016, TIDE has been a volunteer organization made up of University of Toronto faculty from various disciplines. TIDE has successfully delivered education sessions to over 4,000 colleagues. TIDE has also developed an impactful online module series that central administration recommends for all faculty involved in academic recruitment and promotion processes. TIDE continues to offer Fee-for-service sessions for groups outside of U of T.

Request a TIDE session

TIDE can provide introductory level talks or more advanced workshops or talks customized to your needs.

TIDE Sessions: Examples

• Understanding unconscious bias is an important first step to making structural and personal changes that support equity and inclusion within the university. This talk is offered at an introductory level, providing an overview of unconscious bias, and how it may manifest in professional contexts, with a focus on data and examples most relevant to academic research and teaching.

This talk is offered at an introductory level.

• This workshop will provide concrete guidance to faculty on advancing equity and inclusion, with ideas for positive practices at both the individual and structural levels.
• After a brief introductory talk, participants will analyze real-world scenarios in break-out groups. The focus of the scenarios are challenges to inclusive climates and practices. Contexts may include research, teaching, recruitment, mentorship supervision, or leadership. Resources and practical advice will be shared during a discussion debrief.

Participants are expected to have either attend TIDE 101 or to have worked through TIDE’s Unconscious Bias Education Modules 1 & 2 prior to attending TIDE 102.

Access the Modules: University faculty, librarians & staff (memo, links: Module 1 and Module 2) participants without a University of Toronto ID:(webpage link)

• This workshop will provide concrete guidance to faculty on advancing equity and inclusion, with ideas for positive practices at both the individual and structural levels, touching on more complex and nuanced issues from those covered in TIDE 102.

Participants are expected to have either attend TIDE 101 or to have worked through TIDE’s Unconscious Bias Education Modules 1 & 2 prior to attending TIDE 102.

Access the Modules: University faculty, librarians & staff (memo, links: Module 1 and Module 2) participants without a University of Toronto ID:(webpage link)

• TIDE has experience working with hosts inside and outside academia to develop talks or workshops that are customized to their professional or scholarly culture, to the typical level of experience of participants, and to the goals of the host.

TIDE maintains an extensive database of relevant literature across sectors, in addition to a range of different types of scenarios that are easily customized to diverse contexts.

To request a customized session, please share your request on this form so that TIDE can meet with you to discuss your needs.