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Connected-EDI

STRENGTHENING RESEARCH THROUGH EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND CO-CREATION: A GUIDE FOR CONNECTED MINDS TRAINEES

Preparing a funding application is an opportunity to think critically about how equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and co-creation can strengthen your research. Developed with the support of the Connected Minds EDI and Training Committees, this guide offers practical guidance, examples, and reflection questions to help trainees thoughtfully incorporate EDI considerations into their research and funding applications. Whether you're applying for Connected Minds funding or looking to build more inclusive research practices, this resource is here to support you.

EDI Guide For Trainees (PDF)

EDI Guide For Trainees (Accessible Version)

A GUIDE TO THE EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ACTION PLAN

Guide to the EDIAP (PDF)

Guide to the EDIAP (Accessible Version)

When the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) was created, the program placed an importance emphasis on transforming Canada's research ecosystem, ensuring the meaningful inclusion of communities who have historically and culturally been barred from participating.

Connected Minds was tasked with developing a comprehensive Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan (EDIAP) submitted to CFREF on August 2024 and approved on January 2025. We are pleased to present A Guide to the EDIAP.

This document highlights the:

  • Methodology used to develop the plan
  • Goals of Connected-EDI
  • Strategies for
    • Creating safe and inclusive spaces within and beyond research teams,
    • Equitably accessing career opportunities, communicating our findings,
    • Responsible research practices
  • Clarifying the relationship between EDI and Indigenous rights

This guide shares the goals and acknowledges the successes achieved by Connected-EDI to date, while being transparent for initiatives not yet delivered. As the research ecosystem changes, so may this plan, and we look forward to communicating updates on progress and any guide changes.

We encourage you all to review the guide and learn more about how EDI is foundational to Connected Minds' growing success.

RECOGNIZING LEADERS IN THE CONNECTED MINDS COMMUNITY

Connected-EDI wants to celebrate the incredible efforts and achievements of our membership through our Member Highlight program. Learning from others can help inspire your next project or ensure you’re staying up-to-date on the latest better practices in EDI. New members are highlighted every month, perhaps your leadership efforts will be on our site next!

Nomination Package

Rubric Criteria

See Last Month's Monthly Musings Highlight

Frederic Fu

Given the complex, interdisciplinary and techno-social focus of the Connected Minds program, the Connected Minds Social Impact Assessment Guidelines were developed to emphasize that researchers and prospective researchers are further required to think about their research, their technologies and the proposed uses of those technologies through the lenses of social responsibility, harm avoidance, equity and inclusivity. 

Socially responsible research prioritizes ethical principles and values throughout the development and implementation of new programs, processes, technologies, and ways of knowing and doing. It is research that takes into account the potential impact(s) on individuals, communities and society/societies as a whole, while aligning with human values, respecting both individual and collective human rights, and contributing to a sustainable and inclusive future. 

Researchers (both funded and prospective) must be able to demonstrate to the program and its reviewers that they have considered and adequately addressed the following considerations in their proposals/reviews: 

1. Social Responsibility

Clearly articulate how your research will be conducted in a socially responsible manner. Explain the measures you will take to ensure that the research process and outcomes contribute positively to societal well-being. If appropriate, apply generally agreed-upon risk assessment tools to identify and mitigate potential harms associated with your research. Clearly outline the steps you will take to monitor and address risks, with a focus on minimizing adverse impacts on impacted communities. (Max 500 words)

2.  Consideration of Diverse Perspectives:

Clearly demonstrate how your research accounts for the needs and perspectives of diverse populations. Provide details on how you plan to prevent biases and ensure inclusivity across socioeconomic status, race, gender, and other equity-deserving identity characteristics. (Max 500 words)

3. Environmental Impact Assessment:

Please describe how the proposal integrates considerations for environmentally sustainable technologies. Proposals with potential environmental ramifications should explicitly showcase the prediction, analysis, and mitigation measures employed to ensure any adverse effects are identified and addressed to prevent harm. (Max 500 words)

4. Building Trust and Public Acceptance:

Demonstrate how your research approach is designed to build trust and gain public acceptance. Highlight specific strategies to engage with the public (including users and/or patients, as applicable), address concerns, and maintain transparency throughout the research lifecycle. (Max 500 words)

5. Acknowledgment of Intellectual Property and Considerations for Traditional Knowledges:

Clearly acknowledge and outline how your research and any technologies developed respect the intellectual property of individuals or entities who hold rights to them. Identify and specify the types of intellectual property involved, such as patents, copyright, trademarks, and trade secrets. Identify the data governance framework that will be applied to this proposal. If applicable, address Indigenous intellectual property rights as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) (2017). Emphasize how your research respects Indigenous rights to the protection of traditional knowledge, cultural heritage, and customs. (Max 500 words)

Learn more about York and Queen’s strategic plans to integrate EDI across both institutions, as well as Tri-Council resources for integrating EDI.

Learn better practices from Tri-Council funders on how to integrate EDI across research design. Information about institutional spaces dedicated to inclusion, community, and well-being at York and Queen’s are also available.

Tri-Council Resources:

Institutional Resources:

Guidelines and readings are available to help strengthen understanding of inclusive and equitable research practices for working with individuals from underrepresented groups that move research forward, while ensuring safety throughout.

Whether you are starting to integrate EDI into your work, looking for new resources, and/or seeking affirmation of best practice, the following resources can help in creating a more inclusive research space.

For additional resources, please contact EDI & Community Outreach Specialist, Andrew Castillo.

  • October: Creating Inclusive Research & Creation Spaces
    (Recording | Slides)
  • March: EDI as a Project Catalyst
    (Recording | Slides 1, 2 | Additional Readings 1, 2)
  • September: How to Build and Maintain Community Partnerships Responsibly (Recording | Slides 1, 2, 3)
  • October: How to Build and Maintain International Partnerships Responsibly
    (Recording | Slides)

Connected Minds is made up of over 280+ members, and we're still growing!

Self-identification allows Connected Minds to better understand the demographics of the membership and ensure the program is equitable and inclusive. 

If you’re new to the program, looking to complete or update your self-identification information, and/or limit how your information is used, the Self-Identification Survey can be accessed online or by scanning the QR code on the screen. 

If you have any questions about self-identification or experience any technical difficulties, please contact the EDI & Community Outreach Specialist, Andrew Castillo.

Self-Identifying helps us best understand who makes up the Connected Minds membership, who applies to awards, and who is funded. By providing self-identification data Connected Minds can measure its progress in creating a diverse program.

By completing our Self-Identification Survey you will save time when you apply for future Connected Minds funding opportunities by letting us know that you've already self-identified.

5 minutes today can save significant time in the future!

Only the EDI & Community Outreach Specialist, Operations Manager, and Program Director ("CM Staff") have access to the self-identification information.

Self-Identification Information will only be shared as a percentage report to ensure personal information is kept anonymous and confidential.

If participating in FIRE-P, only CM Staff will have access to your personal self-identification information. This information will not be shared with the directorate.

Self-Identification Information is used for the following purposes:

  1. Measuring Program Demographics for Annual Reporting (as percentages)
  2. Measuring Program Demographics of Funding/Scholarship Applicants (as percentages)
  3. FIRE-P (personal information, only accessed by CM Staff)

Yes. We encourage you to complete the self-identification survey even if you are choosing not to self-identify. This helps ensure we don't follow up on your survey response if we have not heard back.

Self-identification information is kept on a password protected secured server provided by York University.

Understanding the demographics of Connected Minds, ensures our program maintains a fair and equitable funding process, and ensures resources are appropriate distributed to maintain inclusive spaces.

Yes. You will have the option to self "I prefer not to self-identify" with each question to provide you with autonomy in choosing which identities are shared.

The survey takes approximately 3 minutes to complete.

Please submit an updated survey response using the online Self-Identification Survey or by scanning the QR code. An updated response will be added to our files.

This information will be kept on a secure server until 2037.

Please Note: FIRE-UP used to be called the Affirmative Action Selection Process (AASP).

FIRE-UP ensures research excellence is the number one priority. All applications deemed "Exceptional" by the adjudication committee will retain their rank order. Only applications deemed fundable, but not "Exceptional" will participate in FIRE-UP.

  • The Program Director, Operations Manager, and EDI and Community Outreach Specialist (hereafter referred to as CM Staff) will take a list of fundable applicants from the adjudication committee and identify those who fall under one or more of the federally designated groups (Women; Racialized Individuals; Indigenous Peoples; People with disabilities/Disabled Persons) and/or 2SLGBTQIA+ institutional priority group, and/or African, Black, Caribbean CFREF priority groups.
  • The diversity composition of the applicant pool for each institution (York & Queen’s) will be assessed using self-identification data collected via Survey Monkey.
  • CM Staff will determine the funding priority of each candidate based on current program targets.
  • Candidates who do not identify as individuals from underrepresented groups or who have opted out of the FIRE-UP will have their funding priority exchanged with the next highest-ranking applicant that aligns with the program priority order.
  • The number of candidates recommended for funding will be based on the remaining funding available at each institution.
  • If an African, Black, Caribbean and/or Indigenous candidate has indicated on their application that they wish to be considered under the African, Black, Caribbean /Indigenous funding allocation and they did not rank high enough on the funding priority list to secure an available spot, they will be recommended for funding under this allocation (subject to availability).