News

The Faculty of Health is pleased to congratulate Dr. Barb Hamilton-Hinch on her appointment as Dalhousie’s Assistant Vice-Provost Equity and Inclusion.

Dr. Hamilton-Hinch is an Assistant Professor in the School of Health and Human Performance. Her work examines the impact of structural, systemic and institutional racism on diverse populations, particularly people of African descent. Dr. Hamilton-Hinch is the Healthy Populations Institute Flagship Project co-lead, Improving the Health Outcomes of People of African Descent, one of the founders of the Imhotep Legacy Academy, co-chair of the Promoting Leadership in Health for African Nova Scotians (PLANS) Program, and co-chair of the Faculty of Health Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

“I’m really excited about this position to bring my passion of equity, diversity and inclusion to life,” Dr. Hamilton-Hinch says. “As an African Nova Scotian, I have always experienced injustice and racism. Now, the fact I get to be in a leadership position that will impact students, staff, faculty in EDI, is incredible.”

Dr. Brenda Merritt, Dean of the Faculty of Health, says, “I am very pleased to hear of the appointment of Dr. Hamilton-Hinch as the new Assistant Vice-Provost Equity and Inclusion. Dr. Hamilton-Hinch has been a selfless academic leader in promoting equity and diversity in the Faculty of Health and across Dalhousie, and she will continue to be a collaborative leader who will support the progress and accomplishment of our strategic priorities.”

The appointment is for two years and starts July 1, 2021. A memo sent from the university from Dr. Theresa Rajack-Talley, Vice-Provost Equity & Inclusion explains that in this inaugural role, Dr. Hamilton-Hinch will connect with members from faculties and units across the campuses to support specific priorities, initiatives, and projects of the Office of the Vice-Provost, Equity & Inclusion. Of immediate attention will be supporting the Vice-Provost in establishing and guiding the work of university-wide equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) committees.

“I’m excited for action. We’ve done reports, focus groups across the university on the challenges of underrepresented groups like LGBTQ+, people of African descent, Indigenous, and persons with (dis)Abilities. Now I can start to help bring those reports and committees to life. It won’t all happen in my two years in this role, but I intend on using this time to make an impact,” says Dr. Hamilton-Hinch.