Events

GIWS EDI Roundtables March 2022

GIWS Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Roundtables

Are you interested in discussing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) at the Global Institute for Water Security (GIWS) at the University of Saskatchewan? Join us for a 1 - hour informal roundtable to discuss strategies and approaches to implement the #GWFEDI Strategy 2021-2023 within GIWS through protocols and practice.

Register on Zoom:

Students: Wednesday, March 16th


Staff/ Affiliated Members: Wednesday, March 23rd 

Faculty: Wednesday, March 30th
Email Andrea.Rowe @ usask.ca for the Zoom link!

 

Time (for all): 1:30-2:30 CST

Please complete the GIWS EDI Roundtable Survey Monkey linked here to submit anonymous feedback.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is a priority for the Global Institute for Water Security (GIWS) at the University of Saskatchewan. Sharing your knowledge and experience will further help GIWS be a great place to work, achieve our core mission to help protect precious freshwater resources, and prioritize human health and well-being.

Your voice matters!

Spotlight on Research

What About Water? Podcast

How Environmental Racism Pollutes Marginalized Communities with Dr. Ingrid Waldron

Up until a few years ago Ingrid Waldron was best known in her province for teaching sociology at Dalhousie University and advocating for members of the African Nova Scotian community and Indigenous people. Waldron argued these marginalized people were victims of environmental racism, who for centuries were forced to drink tainted water, breathe polluted air and live next to waste dumps. Now those concerns are reaching national and even global audiences, and change is happening in Nova Scotia. That's because in the last few years Waldron has released a best-selling book, There's Something In the Water, and a widely streamed documentary of the same name, done in collaboration with actor Elliot Page. They've made Waldron one of Canada's best known and most influential environmental activists. She discusses her extraordinary life and work with What About Water? host Jay Famiglietti in this all-new episode.

Twitter

Find #GIWSEDI content on twitter!

About

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is a priority for the Global Institute for Water Security (GIWS) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask). As the premier water resources research institute in Canada and one of the most advanced hydrology research centres globally, we are actively engaged in challenging systemic barriers to inclusion in our policies, practices, and research. The well-being of people is at the core of our mission to help protect precious freshwater resources. Water is essential for the world’s growing demand for sustainable food production, mitigating the risk of water-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and fires. Our work includes predicting and forecasting extremes of global change through the use of advanced remote sensing and modelling techniques and co-creating traditional knowledge together with western science to empower Indigenous communities in protecting water health.

Our commitment to EDI is grounded in an intersectional approach that considers the different ways that power structures influence opportunities and experiences when people hold multiple intersecting identities (e.g., age, race, class, gender identity, and more). GIWS also leads the most extensive freshwater research program globally, the pan-Canadian Global Water Futures (GWF) Program that includes partners from the University of Waterloo, McMaster University, and Wilfrid Laurier University. Together with our GWF partners, we are committed to working within the network, external partners, and end-users to globally champion inclusive water research.

Meet the Team

The Global Institute for Water Security (GIWS) includes a diverse group of Canadian and International faculty, students, and staff. In 2018-19, GIWS core faculty and members financially supported and supervised 241 graduate students, 101 Ph.D. and 140 Masters, 45 postdoctoral fellows and 93 other highly qualified personnel (HQP's). 

GIWS People

Indigenization

GIWS recognizes that Indigenization, although complementary to creating an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment, is a unique process, given the harmful impact of colonization on Indigenous People and their lands. At GIWS, we strive to create safe and welcoming learning and work environment for Indigenous faculty, students, and staff. In our research, Indigenous scholars, Indigenous Elders, and Indigenous People of all ages in communities lead the co-creation of research projects that incorporate Traditional Knowledge and modern science with GIWS faculty and students. This work empowers Indigenous communities to steward their water resources, supports water security, sustainability and health. For more information about research and community partnerships, visit the Global Water Futures Indigenization webpage.

EDI Policy

As members of the University of Saskatchewan community, GIWS faculty, students, and staff are committed to upholding the principles and actions outlined in the University of Saskatchewan's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy and Sexual Assault Prevention Policy. We recognize that EDI work is continuously evolving; all new and current GIWS members must be familiar with the University of Saskatchewan's policies and update their knowledge on an ongoing basis.

Personal Support

The University of Saskatchewan offers many resources for students, faculty, and staff that are available to members of the GIWS community:

  • The Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre is an intercultural gathering place on the USask Campus. The centre offers personal, social, cultural and academic support to Métis, First Nations and Inuit students through various programs, services and special events throughout the year.
  • Access and Equity Services helps support people requiring accommodations based on disability, religion, family status, and gender identity.
  • EDI for Faculty and Staff includes links to resources that support EDI in the workplace.
  • The University of Saskatchewan Student Centre USSU Pride Centre is a welcoming, vivacious, and celebratory campus community that provides a friendly environment with a diverse group of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
  • If you need help: Please reach out. There are resources available to support you at the University of Saskatchewan. Access Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Services and Wellness Resources by phone or email. To Seek Help and Support After Experiencing Sexual Violence, click here to access help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Resources

Considering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every stage of the grant process is essential to research excellence and innovation. EDI begins with assembling a diverse research team, removing barriers to hiring talented HQP from all backgrounds, inclusive research design and methodology, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge mobilization. These resources are a starting point to craft a strong EDI research statement:

EDI Grant Writing Support Office Hours

For individual support on grant applications, appointments are available Thursdays 12:00-3:00 CST.
To book, please contact:
Dr. Andrea Rowe Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Specialist
Email: andrea.rowe@usask.ca

Whether you are a student new to EDI concepts or an expert in the field, continuous learning is part of an ongoing commitment to water research leadership. Take part in EDI training opportunities to grow your knowledge:

Coming soon in 2022.