Community of Practice (CoP)
Are you a McGill University faculty or staff member interested in further discussing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in science and how we can do better? We're organizing monthly meetings to connect with others interested in fostering EDI in science, share knowledge, and find ways to translate that knowledge into actions that support our scientific community - learning together as we go.
Next Meeting:
Topic: TBD
When and Where: Check back soon for the next meeting!
Format: Typically open discussion and idea sharing
Open to: McGill Faculty and Staff - please share with colleagues who may be interested!
Examples of Previous meetings:
Topic: Incorporating EDI principles into teaching.
Content: We'll use the first article below as a starting point for discussion. If you have time, the toolkit has some examples we can discuss too!
- Daane, A., Decker, S., and Sawtelle, V. (2017). Teaching about racial equity in introductory physics courses. The Physics Teacher, 55(6):328-333. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.4999724
- C. Harris, M. Mullally, and R.M. Thomson, Science is for Everyone: Integrating Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Teaching, version 2.0 [https://people.physics.carleton.ca/~rthomson/edi/EDI_Science_Toolkit_v2.0_12Aug2022.pdf] Carleton University (2022).
Topic: Integrating EDI principles into research labs
Content: Feel free to read the two brief articles below prior to our meeting. We'll use these as a starting point for discussion. If you have time, the video is a great watch too!
- Burrus, L. W., Parangan-Smith, A., Riggs, B., & Samayoa, C. (January 6, 2021). A rapid response to racism in STEM. Inside Higher Ed. https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2021/01/06/teaching-science-through-social-justice-and-racially-inclusive-lens-opinion
- Chaudhary, V. B., & Berhe, A. A. (2020). Ten simple rules for building an antiracist lab. PLoS Computational Biology, 16(10): e1008210. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008210
- 'Recycling Is Like a Band-Aid on Gangrene'. Civic Laboratory for Environmental Action Research (CLEAR). YouTube (12m).
For questions, please email rebecca.maymon [at] mcgill.ca (subject: SECC%20Community%20of%20Practice) or carolina.cruzvinaccia [at] mcgill.ca (subject: SECC%20Community%20of%20Practice)
Past Events
Picture A Scientist: Panel Discussion
When you picture a scientist, who do you see?
Join McGill’s scientific community in a panel discussion of the film “Picture A Scientist,” as we focus on perspective taking and discussion on making STEM diverse, equitable, inclusive, and just.
About the film
An official selection at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, "Picture A Scientist" is a documentary that was created to raise visibility around the critical issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in science and invite viewers into a deeper conversation about how to make science more inclusive.
“PICTURE A SCIENTIST chronicles the groundswell of researchers who are writing a new chapter for women scientists. Biologist Nancy Hopkins, chemist Raychelle Burks, and geologist Jane Willenbring lead viewers on a journey deep into their own experiences in the sciences... Along the way, from cramped laboratories to spectacular field stations, we encounter scientific luminaries - including social scientists, neuroscientists, and psychologists - who provide new perspectives on how to make science itself more diverse, equitable, and open to all.” - https://www.pictureascientist.com/
Film Screening and Panel Discussion
- Anytime – Individual film screening via ProQuest / Also now available on Netflix.
- "Picture A Scientist" can be viewed via the McGill Library (ProQuest, McGill login required).
- *Content warning: This film contains graphic language and accounts of sexual harassment.
- November 17th 1-2p (EDT) – Panel discussion with scientists from the McGill Community (via Zoom).
Meet the Panelists
Audrey Moores
Audrey Moores is a Full Professor of Chemistry and Tier II Canada Research Chair in Green Chemistry (2007-17) at McGill University, where she has actively promoted practical solutions for family caregivers in the McGill community. From 2015 to 2019, she was the founding chair of the McGill Joint Board-Senate sub-committee on Family Care.
Jessica Ford
Jessica Ford is PhD candidate in the Redpath Museum studying how tadpoles influence ecosystems. She is equally passionate about equity, diversity, and inclusion, and co-founded STEMM Diversity @ McGill and the Graduate Association of the Redpath Museum (GARM). Jessica believes that science is for everyone and sits on both local and international EDI committees to promote positive change.
Mary-Rose Bradley-Gill
Mary-Rose completed her PhD in Biology at McGill in 2020. While a student, she became passionate about addressing barriers and promoting inclusion in STEM. She now works at NSERC as a Senior Program Analyst with a particular focus on equity, diversity and inclusion policies through involvement with groups like Science & Policy Exchange, a student-run non-profit for students to engage in science policy.
Pre-screening discussion questions
Before the film, viewers can reflect on these questions:
- How do you picture a typical scientist?
- What issues do you expect to see in a film about women and diversity in science?
- Why are you watching the film? What are your goals?
- Do you have any current events in mind when going in to watch this film?
- Why is diversity in science important to you?
For additional resources – Download the film discussion guide during your individual screening via ProQuest (located in the 'Details' tab at the top of the streaming webpage).
Please send questions about this and/or upcoming events to Rebecca Maymon (rebecca.maymon[at]mcgill.ca).