Introduction: EDI Commitment Statement 

Lakehead University embraces equity and diversity as integral to its academic mission. We encourage and support the participation of the widest range of perspectives in our exploration and exchange of knowledge and ideas. An essential component of academic excellence is a truly open and diverse community that actively fosters the inclusion of voices that have been or are underrepresented or excluded. Thus, Lakehead University is committed to fostering a living, learning, and working environment to which all can contribute and within which all can thrive.  An environment that fosters equity inspires innovation in teaching, research, scholarship, and service (Lakehead University Diversity Awareness Policy).  This employment equity commitment extends to Lakehead University’s participation in the Canada Research Chairs Program.  We believe that equity, diversity and inclusion can be achieved within the Canada Research Chairs program and will encourage diversity by ensuring all qualified individuals, including those from the Four Designated Group (FDG), have equal opportunities to access CRC opportunities and ultimately contribute to Lakehead University’s research and innovation goals. 

What are the four designated groups?

The federal Employment Equity Act requires employers to follow proactive employment practices that increase representation of the following four designated groups (FDGs):  women, members of visible minorities, Aboriginal (Indigenous) people, and persons with disabilities.

Lakehead's Canada Research Chair Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan

As part of its response to the 15^th year evaluation, the Canada Research Chairs Program has directed universities to undertake a serious and meaningful review of our institution’s recruitment practices and work environment to identify systemic barriers that may be impeding our ability to comply with equity, diversity and inclusion objectives with the CRC program.   Lakehead University's CRC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan is available here.

Strategy for Raising Equity Awareness

To raise awareness of Lakehead University’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion within the Canada Research Chairs program and the broader research enterprise, the following strategies will be implemented, monitored and amended as follows:

• Engage senior leadership, current Lakehead CRCs, Lakehead University Faculty Association, and CRC EDI Task Force and members of the University community in the implementation and monitoring of the CRC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan (ongoing).
• Review Lakehead University’s internal CRC recruitment, renewal and retention processes and ensure they are aligned with the new CRC Recruitment Guidelines in effect on September 2018 (January 2019 and ongoing for each individual CRC search approved).
• Publicly post the CRC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan (December 15, 2017) as well as annual reports on the status of the Plan (October 31, 2018).
• All CRC Search Committees and administrative staff supporting CRC searches will participate in mandatory human rights and unconscious bias training (ongoing).
• The Director, Human Rights and Equity and/or the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Research Facilitator will participate in the recruitment and renewal process for all CRCs (ongoing).
• Consult all members of the University community in the development of the institutional Lakehead University EDI Action plan, which includes the university-wide communications activities and strategies (April – May 2019).
•  Communicate our EDI work and values as outlined in Lakehead University's CRC EDI Action Plan Objective #4 (ongoing).

Lakehead's CRC & Institutional Strategic Research Plans 

A summary document of Lakehead's CRC Strategic Research Plan document can be found here. 

To view Lakehead's extended Strategic Research Plan (extended to 2026), please use this link. 

Governance

The Executive Team Working Group (ETWG) is responsible for the approval of the CRC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan. The Vice President Research and Innovation, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Human Rights and Equity is responsible for developing the CRC Institutional Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan. The CRC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan will help guide Lakehead’s annual CRC Allocation Plan, which is presented to ETWG each fall with the annual report on the progress made in meeting CRC equity targets and Lakehead University’s equity, diversity and inclusion objectives (due October 31st each year). 

Contact Information:

Management of the CRC Program:

Requirements & Policies for Recruiting and Nominating Canada Research Chairs

All CRC searches must follow the Canada Research Chairs Requirements for Recruiting and Nominating Canada Research Chairs which can be found here.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Concerns

Lakehead University is committed to addressing any concerns an individual may have with regards to equity, diversity and inclusion, including the monitoring and reporting of such concerns.  All general inquiries or concerns related to equity, diversity or inclusion, including the Canada Research Chairs Program,  should be directed to:

The Office of Human Rights and Equity exists to foster an equitable, inclusive, accessible and accommodating environment that is welcoming to persons of all ages, genders, ethnicities, sexualities, abilities, family statuses, faiths and analogous identities. The purpose of this office is to prevent and respond to discrimination, harassment and sexual violence; provide unimpeded access to Lakehead University services; and provide support and response mechanisms for those whose rights may have been violated. Any information which is shared is kept strictly confidential. The Office of Human Rights and Equity operates at arm's length to ensure separation and confidentiality.  The Office operates independently (to ensure complainant confidentiality and privacy), but reports to the Vice-President Administration and Finance.  The Vice-President Administration and Finance will be responsible for monitoring and reporting equity concerns regarding the CRC program to the Provost and Vice-President Research and Innovation.

In addition, commencing in 2019, the Office of the Vice-President Research and Innovation will directly liaise with CRCs at several points throughout the year (e.g. by reviewing each chairholders CRC annual report and meeting with chairholders) during which any concerns related to equity, diversity and inclusion can be brought forward.  In addition, the Provost and Vice-President Academic is always available to chairholders to discuss equity, diversity and inclusion concerns.

To view Lakehead Univerisity's institutional EDI Action Plan, please click here.

Canada Research Chairs Equity Targets Plan (2019 -2029)

The CRC program has set equity targets for all institutions who wish to participate in the program.  Lakehead University is committed to meeting (or exceeding) our equity targets by 2029 as set out in our CRC Equity Target Plan which can be found here. This document also outlines the tool used to set these equity targets.  Please contact Anne Klymenko (aklymenk@lakeheadu.ca), Director, Research Services, if you have any questions about Lakehead University's CRC Equity Plan 2019-2029.

Please visit the CRCP's population-based institutional Equity Targets 2021-2029 for more information. Please visit the CRC Program's Equity and Diversity Requirements and Practices and Program Statistics website for further details and Canada-wide data. Please use this link to view the CRC Program's 2019 Addendum to the 2006 Canadian Human Rights Settlement Agreement. 

Canada Research Chairs Utilization and Allocation Spreadsheet - Lakehead University

Lakehead University’s current CRC Utilization and Allocation Spreadsheet can be found here.

Advertisements for all Open CRC Positions at Lakehead University

• Lakehead's CRC Self-Identification Form is available HERE. 
  • The CRC Program's Self-Identification form can be viewed here

• Archive of Past CRC Position Advertisements

CRC EDI Action Plan & EDI Stipend Progress Reports 

• Lakehead University CRC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Progress and Stipend Report for 2022-23.
• Lakehead University CRC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Progress Report for 2021-22.
• Lakehead University CRC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Progress Report for 2019-21.
• Lakehead University’s CRC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Progress Report for 2018.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Resources and Links

• Lakehead University's EDI in Research Resources
• Addendum to the 2006 Canadian Human Rights Settlement Agreement (2019)
• Canadian Human Rights Commission
• CRC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Requirements and Practices
• Lakehead University Diversity Awareness Policy
• Lakehead University Office of Human Rights
• Ontario Human Rights Commission - Special Programs
• Unconscious Bias Training Module
• Gender Pronouns and Cultures of Respect - Presentation by Tommy Mayberry of St. Jerome's University

Updated: March 2024