Please read the consent form and access the survey at the bottom of this page.
Study Title: Supporting SHIFTS in Research Practices: Adapting an Inclusive Research Self-Assessment Tool to Foster Inclusion & Track Progress in Academic Research
Principal Investigators: This is a research study led by Dr. Maydianne Andrade (Dean of Science, York University, Contact: mcba@yorku.ca); Dr. Thomas Coyle (Associate Professor, Dept. Of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Toronto, Contact: tom.coyle@utoronto.ca); and Dr. Fiona Rawle (Professor, Teaching Stream, Dept of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Contact: fiona.rawle@utoronto.ca).
Professor Maydianne Andrade, one of the co-leads on this project, is also the co-founder and past-president of the Canadian Black Scientists Network and the co-founder of the Black Research Network.
WHY IS THIS STUDY BEING DONE?
This study aims to identify the support, resources, training, and knowledge necessary for wider uptake of inclusive research practices across universities.
WHAT WILL YOU BE ASKED TO DO?
This 30-minute survey will explore your experiences in terms of research group culture, inclusion in research design, implementation, and reporting, including your experiences with mentorship.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF STUDY?
There are minimal risks to you in this study. You will be asked about your experience as a someone who conducts research in an academic setting. You will not be asked to share stories or feelings unrelated to your professional or personal experiences related to EDI in research practices or grant application teams. If you feel distressed while taking the survey, we have linked support at the bottom of each page. The survey is anonymous.
ARE THERE BENEFITS TO TAKING PART IN STUDY?
If you agree to participate in this research, you may or may not benefit directly. What we learn from this study will potentially help emerging and future researcher and their trainees to create more effective and inclusive research environments. By understanding and addressing bias, we aim to develop strategies that enhance EDI practices within research in academia.
WHAT ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY?
The survey is anonymous and a clean copy of the anonymous survey data will be kept indefinitely. Please note that the University of Toronto research ethics program may have confidential access to data to help ensure participant protection procedures are followed.
WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AS A PARTICIPANT?
Participation in this survey is voluntary, and you may refuse to participate at any time with no penalty. You may choose not to participate and leave the study at any time before answering “YES” to the consent question at the beginning of the survey. After you begin the survey, we will be unable to link you to your responses. You can also answer some questions and not others; it is up to you. The only question that is mandatory is the consent question.
WHO DO I CALL IF I HAVE QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS?
If you have any questions about this research, please email Dr. Tom Coyle at tom.coyle@utoronto.ca or Dr. Maydianne Andrade at maydianne.andrade@utoronto.ca. For questions about your rights as a research participant, contact the University of Toronto Office of Research Ethics (a group of people reviewing the research to protect your rights) at ethics.review@utoronto.ca or (416) 946-3273.