Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization

• Equity - ensuring that access, resources, and opportunities are provided for all to succeed and grow, especially for those who are underrepresented and have been historically disadvantaged
• Diversity -  the conditions, expressions, and experiences of different groups identified by attributes such as age, sexual orientation, Indigenous status, disability, race, ethnicity, etc.
• Inclusion - a workplace culture that is welcoming to all people regardless of sexual orientation, Indigenous status, ability, race, ethnicity, etc., and everyone is valued, respected, and able to reach their full potential
• Decolonization - Decolonization is about 'cultural, psychological, and economic freedom' for Indigenous people with the goal of achieving Indigenous sovereignty -- the right and ability of Indigenous people to practice self-determination over their land, cultures, and political and economic systems (Belfi, E. & Sandiford, N., 2021).

The Dept. of Biochemistry is located on the 3rd floor of the Medical Sciences Building (MSB), which is accessible by outside ramps and automated door openers. Elevators connect all floors of the building. The Dept. also has two single-user, gender-neutral, accessible washrooms located across from MSB 346.

Western University is situated on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lenaape, and Chonnonton Nations. These lands are connected through the London and Sombra Township Treaties and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum. The local First Nation communities include Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Oneida Nation of the Thames, and Munsee Delaware Nation. In the area, twelve First Nation communities and a growing Indigenous urban population exist.

We respect the longstanding relationships that Indigenous Nations have and have had with this land since time immemorial. As the original caretakers, they have lived as one with the land: valuing it, respecting it, and allowing it to replenish.

We acknowledge historical and ongoing injustices that Indigenous Peoples (e.g., First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) endure in what is now known as Canada. We accept responsibility to correct miseducation about Indigenous communities, to renew respectful relationships with them, and to value them. We call you to action: to not only reflect on, but also contribute to, reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. 

For more information or questions about EDID initiatives in the Biochemistry Dept., please contact Dr. Lynn Weir (Research Co-ordinator). 

• Cultivate a welcoming and accommodating environment for all 
• Educate students, post-doctoral scholars, staff, and faculty about the importance of EDID
• Maintain a list of services and contacts for referral
• Support university-led efforts to reduce systemic barriers in academia

• Winter 2024 - Explore decolonization of Biochemistry teaching

• Feb 2022 – The Biochemistry EDI committee was created and met, a first in the history of the Dept.
• Spring 2022 - The EDI webpage for Biochemistry's website was created, a first in the history of the Dept.
• Spring 2022 - Several of the 2018 recommendations from the Gender Equity Task Force in Biochemistry were implemented at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Summer 2022 - The EDI committee received training in how to deal with reports of discrimination and harassment in the Biochemistry community.
• Fall 2022 - An anti-harassment/discrimination campaign was rolled out.
• Sept 2022 - A land acknowledgement was read at the Dept. of Biochemistry meeting.
• Winter 2023 - The anti-harassment/discrimination campaign was rolled out again.
• Spring/summer 2023 - A flowchart was created to guide those looking to report issues in our working/teaching environment. This flowchart has been posted on Biochemistry's EDID webpage and at key locations in the Dept.
• Fall 2023 - A GBSV training session for Biochemistry graduate students was hosted.
• Fall 2023 - A draft decolonization plan for teaching in the Dept. was set up.
• Dec 2023 - EDI Committee members discussed CTL's Indigenous Teaching and Learning module 1. This focus group used an Indigenous sharing circle as the format for discussions.
• Jan 2024 - The EDI Committee was renamed to EDID Committee to reflect our decolonization initiatives.
• Feb 2024 - EDID Committee members discussed part of CTL's Indigenous Teaching and Learning module 2 using an Indigenous sharing circle.
• Mar 2024 - Sara Mai Chitty from the Office of Indigenous Initiatives gave a talk to the EDID Committee. She discussed decolonization, indigenization, reconciliation, and Indigenous resources/initiatives at Western. 

• Note: each committee member takes a turn to chair a meeting (rotating chair)
• 2 undergraduate students (WBC co-presidents): Omar Abdelraheem, Joanne Chien
• 1 post-doctoral scholar: Dr. Vida Nasrollahi
• minimum of 2 graduate students (maximum of 3): Jenica Kakadia, Jordyn Meaney, Emma Walker
• 1 staff: Dr. Lynn Weir
• 2 faculty, including Chair of Dept. of Biochemistry: Drs. Greg Gloor, Derek McLachlin

• Paul Akouris (former undergraduate student)
• Dr. Mike Boffa (faculty)
• Beth Connelly (graduate student)
• Dr. Sally Esmail (former post-doctoral scholar)
• Elissa Goodbrand (former undergraduate student)
• Dr. Ryan Grainger (former post-doctoral scholar)
• Dr. Haider Hassan (former post-doctoral scholar)
• Rachel Lau (former undergraduate student)

View steps to choose the appropriate reporting tools at Western:

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Western is committed to providing a learning and working environment that is free of harassment and discrimination. All students, staff, and faculty have a role in this commitment and have a responsibility to ensure and promote a safe and respectful learning and working environment. Relevant policies include Western's Non-Discrimination/Harassment Policy (M.A.P.P. 1.35) and its Procedures. 

Any student, staff, or faculty member who experiences or witnesses behaviour that may be harassment or discrimination must report the behaviour to Western's Human Rights Office. Harassment and discrimination can be human rights-based, which is also known as EDI-based, (sexism, racism, transphobia, homophobia, islamophobia, xenophobia, antisemitism, and ableism) or non-human rights-based (personal harassment or workplace harassment).

Western University is committed to providing and maintaining an environment in which gender-based and sexual violence is not tolerated. Relevant policies include Western's Gender-Based and Sexual Violence Policy (M.A.P.P 1.52) and its Procedures. 

Upon registration, students accept the rights and responsibilities associated with membership in Western University’s academic and social community. Students are responsible for observing a standard of conduct that will contribute to the University’s mission and that will support an environment conducive to the intellectual and personal growth of all who study, work, and live here. This responsibility includes respecting the rights, property, and well-being of other members of the University community and visitors to the campus and not engaging in conduct that could reasonably be seen to endanger or adversely affect the health, safety, rights, security, or property of the University, its members, and visitors. The relevant policy is Western University's Student Code of Conduct, and further information can be found on Western's Health and Wellness website.

People in the Biochemistry Dept. are welcome to contact any of the following EDID Committee members for options and resources about reporting issues in our work/teaching environment:

-Dr. Greg Gloor
-Dr. Lynn Weir

- Report from Anti-Racism Working Group at Western
- Learning in Colour (Cultivation of safer classroom and campus spaces)

- Accessibility - Western University  
- Accessibility Floor Plans of Western  
- Accessibility Map for Western  
- Inclusive Washrooms at Western
- Accessibility and Eliminating Systemic Ableism  (by Canadian Institutes of Health Research, CIHR)
- Accessibility in Teaching  (Western’s Centre for Teaching and Learning) 

- Office of Indigenous Initiatives  
- Indigenous Student Centre  
- Indigenous Learning Space  
- Indigenous Teaching and Learning Resources  (Western’s Centre for Teaching and Learning)
- Writing Land Acknowledgements
- Laotsyá:n   (Office of Indigenous Initiatives newsletter)
- The Turtle Island News  (published by Grand River Territory of the Six Nations)
- Native Land Digital (maps of Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages) 

=Two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual  
- Pride Library  
- PrideWestern  (USC service working for and with Western's queer and trans community)  
- Western Queer Caucus  (Group for queer faculty, staff, and graduate students at Western)  
- Spectrum  (Club that creates a safe space for Western’s 2SLGBTQIA+ students)    

- Western's Caucus on Women Issues  (Promotes and safeguards the interests of women at Western; women staff, faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates at Western can join)  
- Women of Ivey Network (WIN)  (Leaders from Ivey community fostering a gender-inclusive culture and accelerating the advancement of women in business)  
- Women in Engineering  (Offers unique opportunities to Western’s women engineers for team building, learning, and support)  
- Western Women in Neuroscience  (Promotes discussions and activities related to being a woman in psychology and neuroscience at Western)  

- Western's Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Western’s Human Rights Office  
- Schulich’s Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization  
- Schulich’s Council on Reforming Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for Trainees (CREDIT)      

- Western's Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - Online Learning
- Western’s Human Rights Office - EDI Learning Modules    
- Dr. Alex Levine - EDI in Higher Education   (Recording)  
- Schulich’s Council on Reforming Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for Trainees (CREDIT) - Equity Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization (EDI-D) in Academia  
- Indigenous Cultural Safety – Webinars    

- Western’s Policies for Employment Equity, Non-Discrimination/Harassment, and Student Code of Conduct - Western’s Duty to Accommodate  (for employees, prospective employees, clients)  
- Schulich Code of Conduct  (for faculty, graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, undergraduate students, and others)   

- Dimensions: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Canada  (Government of Canada’s promotion of EDI at Canadian universities)  
- Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion  
- Western's Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - Resources
- Western’s Human Rights Office - Resources  
- Campus Life: Diversity  
- Western Equity Census
- Schulich’s Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization - Resources  
- Schulich’s Council on Reforming Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for Traineess (CREDIT) - Resources  
- Allyship Network USC (Connects USC with Peer Programs and student associations at Western in order to incorporate allyship into campus community)    
- Ethnocultural Support Services USC (Creates a culturally, ethnically, and religiously inclusive community at Western)  
- Journey Together: Sharing Our Lived Experiences (A support group for Black and racialized students at Western)