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Supporting Holistic Inclusive Frameworks in Tertiary STEMM & Social Sciences (SHIFTS)

About SHIFTS

Despite the impetus to incorporate equitable practices and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in academic research, institutions struggle with adoption of best practices. Three challenges to improvements in Inclusive and Accessible Research are (1) the need for system-wide individualized researcher support, (2) institutional tracking of progress, and (3) accurate data on researcher needs to allow tailored advising on implementation.  

The Supporting Holistic Inclusive Frameworks in Tertiary STEMM & Social Sciences (SHIFTS) Project will assess the needs of researchers from a wide range of disciplines and lay the groundwork for developing a practical tool to support increased adoption of inclusive research practices. SHIFTS will consider best practices from existing tools created by Canadian institutions, such as the Canadian Foresty Service-Natural Resources Canada, and identify any gaps relative to needs. The outcomes of the SHIFTS project will provide recommendations for the development of a future tool that will lead to more inclusive research practices and equitable research ecosystems in Canadian academia.

People 

Scholarly Lead

Principal Investigators  

  • Maydianne Andrade, Professor and Dean, Faculty of Science, York University  
  • Fiona Rawle, Professor, Teaching Stream, Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga 
  • Tom Coyle, Associate Professor, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Toronto 

Collaborator 

  • Effah Antwi, Research Scientist, Natural Resources Canada 

Operations Lead

Communications Lead 

Project Updates

Surveys to assess the needs of researchers at the University of Toronto and York University and Black trainees across Canada will launch in Summer 2026. If you would like to be notified when these surveys become available, please sign up using this form.