Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Our shared values of diversity, inclusion and professionalism

Dear students, faculty, staff and alumni,

Here at U of T Engineering we wish everyone to feel that they belong here. Our vision is that the school looks, feels and acts inclusive, equitable and professional.

To achieve this vision, we are taking actions to create a place, a climate and a culture free of harassment, discrimination or intolerance of any kind including gender bias, anti­-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, ableism, and ageism. We do this work to have a positive effect on team innovation¹, on the collective intelligence of working groups², and to let everyone bring forward their best selves³. This approach is backed by research.

Our experience in this global pandemic has reaffirmed the importance of community, social justice and mutual respect for the dignity and worth of every person. And those that graduate from U of T Engineering will become the engineers that the public will entrust to protect their life, health, property, economic interests, welfare and the environment around them. To deliver on this significant responsibility, U of T Engineering is bringing more resources and collaborations for a healthy, creative, and productive university experience. They include,

• The Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Professionalism collects data, provides training and builds equity programs to increase access. This is the first office of its kind for a Canadian engineering school.
• The confidential disclosure framework provides skilled and compassionate support, accountability and systemic change to harassment, discrimination or harmful unprofessionalism that you may experience or witness.
• The Engineering Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Group (EEDIAG) is a Faculty-wide grassroots network that provides weekly meetups, TIPS workshops and open discussions on equity issues and proposed actions.
• The Dean’s Advisor on Black Inclusivity, the Dean’s Advisor on Indigenous Inclusivity, and the Student & Community Wellness Coordinator provide support along with the academic advisors and the Engineering Human Resources office.
• The Engineering Society’s Equity and Inclusivity Project Directorship (E&I PD) works closely with student bodies across EngSoc to promote better inclusivity and accessibility outcomes across EngSoc events, clubs, and other aspects of the undergraduate engineering experience.
• Days of Recognition and more resources can be found on the Faculty’s EDI webpage.

Engineering schools in Canada and around the world, and society at large, have made great progress from their exclusionary origins, and are working toward becoming the inclusive places we endeavour to be. And whether learning and meeting online or in person, our aspirations of professionalism and inclusion are the same.

While we envision the community as a safe space for all, there will be failures to achieve this vision, with possible causes ranging from bias to discrimination. We have seen over the last year the grief and anger propagated by centuries of systemic and institutionalized racism and oppression, including anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism. In response, the confidential disclosure framework gives you a way to report harassment or discrimination that you may experience or witness and provides anonymous disclosing as well.

In harmony with U of T's Statement on Equity, Diversity and Excellence, we must all commit to acting against bias, harassment and discrimination. Please consider how you will integrate the acknowledgement, respect and diversity of others into your behaviours so that together, U of T Engineering can be a place where each of us belongs, feels safe and knows that our contributions matter.

In all that we do, let us ensure our shared journey of growth and discovery is an experience that is meaningful and engaging for all. After all, our profession of engineering exists to protect people’s wellbeing. That is the purpose of practicing engineering — to ethically create products or services that protect the life of people of all diversities.

Kind regards,