Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and the Action Plan to address Anti-Black Racism

Report of the Faculty Planning Committee - May 13, 2022

At McGill, we believe that our world is enriched by diverse perspectives and that we collectively aim higher when all have fair access to opportunities. Much of our Faculty’s research addresses the most fundamental human needs for a healthy environment and access to nutritious food and, as such, supports vulnerable or marginalized populations throughout the world. Through education, research and outreach, we aim to empower individuals and communities with the knowledge and skills to solve challenging problems. At the same time, we want our community of students and staff to reflect the diversity of voices and experiences out there.

Through the University's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategic Plan and the Action Plan to Address Anti-Black Racism (ABR), we strive to achieve a level playing field where the numerous cultural, institutional, economic, or otherwise systemic barriers that limit diversity and equitable access to resources at McGill are eradicated.

Mandate

The Faculty Planning Committee (FPC) has been mandated to develop a faculty plan to address Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and to focus on Anti-Black Racism. The plan will include specific actions, targets and timelines. To provide input, members of the community are invited to communicate with professors sebastien.faucher2 [at] mcgill.ca (Sebastien Faucher) or jessica.gillung [at] mcgill.ca (Jessica Gillung), or complete the survey below.

Priorities

The University’s plan to address ABR relates to the following areas:

1. Student Experience
2. Research and Knowledge
3. Outreach
4. Workforce
5. Physical Space

Action items

The FPC is currently working on the following action items specifically for the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences:

1. Increasing the number of Black faculty members in the Faculty.
2. Incorporating more content from Black authors into AES courses.
3. Implementing the EDI plan in research laboratories campus-wide.
4. Promoting and facilitating access for Black students to research internships and graduate programs.
5. Improving the inclusivity of the campus' physical spaces through iconography that reflects the Black community, e.g. through the acquisition of art.