Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
EDI
EDI

In line with The University of British Columbia’s policy, The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is dedicated to promoting ongoing efforts of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) by:

  • Creating a welcoming, respectful, and supportive environment in all areas of our academic mission of research and teaching by promoting a campus life where respect, civility, culture, diversity and inclusion are valued
  • Giving equal opportunity and voice to all members of our community no matter their race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, class, status or religion
  • Including diversity and inclusiveness in our recruiting process to support a diverse leadership, teaching, learning, and research community
  • Welcoming diverse perspectives and acknowledging that diversity is essential to drive our research and learning
  • Supporting UBC’s values towards excellence, mutual respect, and social sustainability - which allows equity, inclusion and diversity to be deeply vested in the institution and in each of the divisions across the University to make lasting change
  • See our EDI resources

Located on the University of British Columbia’s Vancouver Campus on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) People, we believe it is the responsibility of all community members to maintain a safe space and welcoming community that supports successful research, leadership, and connection.

 

We respect the land we are on and want to focus on what we can learn from our history to ensure our present reflects our values. We think hard about who we want to be as a department, and the legacy we want to leave behind. Part of this process is transforming the department's academic experience such that power relations are equalized for everyone, something that we are working towards across multiple efforts.

 

We recognize that UBC and the Department are located on unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Musqueam Territory and will include land acknowledgements in seminars, symposia, classes and other events we host.

 

How we will practice EDI

  • Expand access to research experience to groups that are underrepresented in STEM
    • Host Research Exploration Opportunities (REOs) to demystify microbiology and immunology research, graduate school, and science career paths for high school students encompassing a range of underrepresented identities 
    • Maintain a Canvas course that outlines undergraduate research opportunities in the department and provides resources on how to contact potential advisors, write a resume, etc. 
  • Amplify diverse voices in all departmental operations, including hiring, networking events, and seminar speakers
    • Value diverse representation and strive to host speakers that represent the diversity of trainees and their career goals
    • Prioritize representation of diverse voices and life experiences in events such as our seminar series, “Ask me anything café”, and career panels and workshops
  • Develop inclusive teaching practices that cater to students of all backgrounds and learning styles
    • Work with the Centre for Accessibility and other campus resources to accommodate and remove barriers for members of the department with disabilities and ongoing medical conditions
    • Host training sessions that focus on making higher education in science more accessible to neurodivergent individuals 
  • Address systemic barriers to academic success and socioeconomic barriers to graduate and postdoctoral training
    • Provide equal opportunity to access mentorship, scholarships, speaking opportunities, and other career-elevating opportunities to ensure all trainees reach their full potential
    • Provide competitive stipends for graduate students and living-wage stipends for postdoctoral fellows
    • Maintain a free food pantry for students impacted by rising cost of living 
  • Other commitments 
    • Encourage and in some cases require faculty, staff and trainees to complete EDI and implicit bias training
    • Promote student, staff, postdoc, and faculty physical and mental health and wellness through access to counselling and mental health resources, departmental-hosted events and wellness seminars 
    • Support religious holidays and the use of UBC-provided prayer spaces
    • Encourage faculty and staff to undergo positive space training to ensure the department provides a safe and supportive environment for our 2SLGBTQIA+ members 
    • Ensure the majority of departmental meetings and events are within school hours, and those outside of school hours are family friendly and provide family/lactation room space  for parents with infants 

Ongoing initiatives

  • MBIM EDI Committee: promotes equity, diversity and inclusion in all department activities, including teaching, research and recruitment

    Faculty:

    Karen Smith (she/her/hers), Chair

    Maria Tokuyama (she/her/hers), Chair

    Ninan Abraham (he/him/his)

    Andrew Santos (he/him/his)

    Carolina Tropini (she/her/hers)

    Staff:

    Sarah Anderson (she/her/hers)

    Graduate Students:

    Stephanie Besoiu (she/her/hers)

    Kabir Bhalla (he/him/his)

    Austin Guild (he/him/his)

    Undergraduate Students:

    Mya Bal (she/her/hers)

    Carolyne You (she/her/hers)

    Postdoctoral Fellows:

    Henok Sahile (he/him/his)

  • Let’s Talk EDI series: an inclusive space for all MBIM trainees (Postdocs, Graduate Students, Undergraduate Students) to celebrate diversity in our department and discuss their experiences and hopes for the future 
  • Indigenous student mentorship: Designated advising, academic support, and other resources for Indigenous students 
  • First-Generation University Student Mentorship Program: established in 2020 by Dr. Michael Gold to support the career and personal development goals of undergraduates and graduate students who are the first in their family to attend university
  • Collaborative efforts: host Joint EDI Seminar series, work alongside Life Sciences Institute EDI Committee