President’s Awards for the Advancement of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA)

At Dalhousie, we believe that equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility are fundamental to education and employment, and therefore, are essential institutional strategic priorities. To support our collective community efforts to advance equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, Dalhousie University is pleased to present the President’s Awards for the Advancement of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA).

The award is in recognition of Dalhousie’s EDIA core values and is inseparable from the university’s strategic plan, Third Century Promise. 

There are three categories:

1. A faculty/staff individual award
2. A faculty/staff group award
3. A student individual/or group award

Please note: The faculty/staff individual and group awards are open for nomination & selection in the fall, while the student award is open for nominations and awarded in late winter.

The President’s EDIA Awards recognizes the outstanding efforts in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility at Dalhousie.

What makes someone an EDIA Awardee recipient?

• They demonstrate an understanding that a commitment to EDIA means focusing on dismantling the unjust structures that systematically marginalize or exclude some while privileging and advantaging others.
• They work consistently to promote an inclusive campus community at Dal.
• They demonstrate an ongoing commitment to EDIA.
• They go "above and beyond" what would normally be expected of their portfolios to accomplish said objectives.
• They should be able to clearly connect their extraordinary work/volunteer time to their efforts to advance EDIA

Criteria

Nominations must describe how the individual or group demonstrated exceptional and creative achievement in advancing equity, diversity and/or inclusiveness and be linked to one or more of the four pillars in Dalhousie's 2021-26 Strategic Plan, Third Century Promise.  

Exceptional Student Experience

• Promotes a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive learning environment on campus that engages in diverse and inclusive teaching, curriculum development, and pedagogical innovation.
• Provides excellent student support and mentorship that relates to the specific needs and identities of underrepresented and/or underserved students, while helping with retention and academic success.
• Engages in community partnerships to reach, attract, and retain locally, nationally, and/or internationally diverse student populations.
• Integrates equity, diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility into systems, policies, and/or practices that impact student experiences.                                           
  

Inclusive Excellence

• Improves employment equity and aims to achieve inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• Improves recruitment and/or retention of historically underrepresented and/or currently underserved faculty and staff.
• Contributes to the development of an inclusive culture of working and learning by respecting and valuing the contributions of Dalhousie’s employees to the university’s EDIA vision and mission.
• Demonstrates commitment and action to an anti-oppressive, anti-discriminatory culture.                                 

High-Impact Research.

• Encourages and supports research and innovation that is inclusive of Dalhousie’s core EDIA values and practices in any academic discipline or across disciplines.
• Increases the number and diversity of our graduate scholars and/or scholarship.
• Promotes/encourages scholarly excellence that fully considers ethical and social dimensions of its impact on marginalized and/or underserved communities.
• Strengthens partnerships in high-impact research centered on problem-solving and policy relevant to the needs of community.

Civic University with Global Impact.

• Demonstrates dedication and action towards meeting the goals of Dalhousie’s global mission to play a pivotal role in the well-being and development of inclusive and diverse communities.
• Fosters meaningful partnerships with local and/or national communities, with emphasis on African Nova Scotian/Black and/or Indigenous/Mi’kmaq communities, to improve access and success of students and researchers from these communities.
• Emphasises working with grassroots associations and local community leaders to better understand their perspectives and address their needs.
• Broadens and encourages public access to our university activities for both local and international students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Additional Factors to Consider:

• Creativity and innovation in approach, design, collaboration, implementation of the EDIA initiatives;
• Positive outcomes in achieving greater equity and/or inclusiveness within the University, our local community and/or internationally;
• Engagement of historically underrepresented people locally, nationally and/or internationally;
  
• Tangible benefits to campus life.