Equity & Diversity

UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our living, learning and work environments. We know that diversity underpins excellence, and that we all share responsibility for creating an equitable, diverse and inclusive community. We recognize that many of the identities of members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity intersect and that therefore, equity, diversity and inclusion can be complex. We value the contributions that each person brings, and are committed to ensuring full and equal participation for all in our community.

Chem EDI mission statement

The Chemistry Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (Chem EDI) committee is a supportive and educational committee in the Department of Chemistry. We champion causes related to EDI in the department for undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff and researchers in faculty research groups.

Chem EDI process for listening to concerns

We are here to listen to your concerns about EDI issues in the Department of Chemistry. We can provide information about the support services available to you at the 番茄社区 and help you engage with these processes.

To get in touch, you can send us an email or contact one of the committee members below. We aim to respond within 3 working days to liaise with you to find a way to listen to your concern and help you access relevant support services. You may also contact the EQHR office directly to raise concerns, both informally and formally. The flow chart below shows further information about these options.

We value confidentiality, fairness, and professionalism in our interactions with you. All matters discussed with Chem EDI members will be kept confidential unless you give us explicit permission to disclose, or unless the matter falls under exceptional circumstances covered by 番茄社区 policies. You can find more information about how the Chem EDI committee operates in our Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct. Please contact the Chem EDI Chair for further information.

If you need immediate assistance regarding an EDI concern, please contact:

Campus Security (emergency, open 24 hours a day): 250-721-7599
Crisis Phone Support for BC (open 24 hours a day): 1-866-661-3311

Who we are

The Chem EDI committee is diverse and currently has representatives who identify as members of the following communities: undergraduate; graduate; postdoctoral-fellow and researcher; faculty; male; female; gender minority; Hispanic; Jewish; POC; white; 2SLGBTQIA+; disabled; immigrant; first-generation student; and lower socio-economic background and level of education. If you feel that your community is underrepresented and you wish to improve its representation, please contact us or consider applying to be a representative.

	Katherine Elvira, faculty member and Chair of Chem EDI. Katherine (she/her) has been involved with the committee in one way or another since 2017. She has years of experience of being a “woman in science”, and of how being a member of an underrepresented group creates an extra burden to being able to learn and do research in scientific environments. She joined Chem EDI to advocate for changes that remove these barriers to everyone feeling safe and included in the Department of Chemistry.
	Makhsud Saidaminov, faculty member. Makhsud joined Chem EDI because he believes that barriers should be removed, differences – valued, and all – included.
	Georgia Douglas, graduate student. Georgia (she/they) joined Chem EDI because she is passionate about equity education in the scientific community. She believes that promoting intersectionality and diversity will allow people from all different marginalized identities feel safe and welcomed in the department.
	Peter Williams, postdoctoral-fellow. Peter (he/they) joined the committee because he is passionate about representation, both in ensuring people's voices are heard and that there is a fair representation in the diversity of those voices. He believes that fostering such dialogues improves the well-being and productivity of individuals and the department, leading to a happier and healthier work environment for all.
	Gal Arama, undergraduate student. Gal (she/her) joined the committee to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students. She is eager to bring her past experience to create a meaningful impact within our department.
	Luca Swainson, undergraduate student. Luca (he/him) joined Chem EDI because he is passionate about equity and social justice. He hopes to help create an inclusive environment where voices are heard and differences are celebrated.
	Nicholas J. Roberts, (he/him) joined the EDI committee to make an impact on the accessible practices within the department. With prior knowledge and lived experience, he plans on supporting those with both visible and invisible disabilities as best as he can.
	Andrés Arias, graduate student. Andrés (he/him) joined CHEM EDI because of his interest of promoting a respectful environment for all voices in the department, with the aim of creating a thriving community for educational and professional growth. He hopes to be a valuable member of the committee and to offer a fresh perspective in order to make the department as welcoming and productive as possible.

Food for thought

Lisa Willis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta. Lisa has also designed InclusiveSTEM, which is a literature-based and data-driven series of lectures and workshops about EDI in science. Lisa gave two public lectures at the 番茄社区 in February 2021. See above for recordings of her lecture entitled “Top 10 Strategies to Fix the Problem of Bias and Discrimination in STEM” and below for “Writing Effective EDI Statements.”

Paul Walton is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of York in the UK. He lectures worldwide about gender equality, and gave a public lecture at the 番茄社区 on the 4th of October 2019. See below for a recording of his lecture entitled “Gender equality in science: Why is it taking so long?”.

Seminar given by Professor David Smith from the University of York in the UK at the 2016 LGBT STEMinar titled “”.
. A leaflet produced by the Legal Services Society in collaboration with West Coast Legal Education and Action Fund (West Coast LEAF) about taking and sharing intimate images, cyberstalking and sexual exploitation.
More information about internet harassment or cyberbullying can be found on the website.

Other UVic resources

Other useful links in addition to those under “UVic community resources” and “Student support services”:

The Trans Inclusion page on the UVic website.
Territory Acknowledgement.
The 番茄社区’s Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Policy (GV0245).
The 番茄社区’s Discrimination and Harassment Policy (GV0205).
Campus Security Services.
(for faculty and staff).
Health Services (for students).
Multifaith Services.

UVic community resources
Student support services

We acknowledge with respect the Lekwungen peoples on whose traditional territory the 番茄社区 stands, and the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day. UVic's first Indigenous plan builds on our longstanding commitment to and relationships with Indigenous communities, both local and national.
The First People’s House currently offers a social, cultural and academic centre for Indigenous students at UVic and serves as a safe and welcoming place that encourages the building of community.
The Equity and Human Rights Office provides leadership in the development of plans, policies and procedures which support UVic's organizational and legislative commitments to provide equitable access to and participation in employment and educational opportunities.
The Office of the Vice-President Academic and Provost supports units in creating welcoming and diverse learning, teaching and working environments. The page lists a number of resources for faculty, staff and students.

Counselling Services offer free professional, confidential, inclusive support to currently registered UVic students, including individual counselling, groups and workshops.
The International Office supports international students at UVic. The International Commons welcomes you, answers your questions, and provides academic programs and resources to support student success.
The Office of Indigenous Academic & Community Engagement supports the success of Indigenous students attending UVic, connecting students with educational, financial and cultural resources on campus and in local communities.
In case of a conflict situation with a staff or faculty member, students have access to free consultation with the , which advocates fair procedures and offers information and guidance on students' rights & responsibilities, and UVic regulations & procedures.
The Centre for Accessible Learning provides information about and support with academic accommodations. Their trained staff will help you to plan for success in your degree.
Student Mental Health supports positive student mental health and well-being, offering numerous resources, supports and opportunities.
The and the provides advocacy, representation, services, and events for its members.