CRC program honours UVic for equity hiring

The University of Victoria has just been recognized as a national leader for its proactive strategies in recruiting, nominating and appointing Canada Research Chairs (CRC) across campus.

Thanks to a number of broad recruitment strategies—including equity planning and training for all search committees, a coaching and mentoring program for new chairholders and inclusive job descriptions for chair postings—UVic consistently meets or exceeds equity targets in its CRC appointments within the four government-designated groups: Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, visible minorities and women.

On Oct. 19, Vice-President Academic and Provost Reeta Tremblay accepted on behalf of UVic a certificate from the CRC secretariat acknowledging the university’s innovative practices in this area, which include supporting formal and informal research partnerships across ten areas of research strength and extensive consultation with faculty caucus groups to support members of these designated groups.

Our emphasis on interdisciplinary research and the broad thematic strengths in our CRC strategic research plan provide a sound foundation on which to celebrate diversity and support,” explains Howard Brunt, vice-president of research at UVic.

In accepting the award, Tremblay made a brief presentation highlighting the goals and criteria in place at UVic to advance research strengths from the bottom up with clear metrics for achievement.

"We hire the very best,” says Tremblay. “And our success in attracting excellent faculty is accompanied by our best practices in equity.”