EDIRI Committee Terms of Reference & Membership

Members of the EDIRI Committee, will support the advancement of equity, diversity and inclusion in research and innovation by:

1. Actively championing and participating in a culture of shared learning and communication about emerging and existing EDIRI initiatives and practices from central units, academic divisions and peer-institutions. Members will share exemplars and key challenges, with the intention of working collectively to support the University of Toronto research community.
2. Providing oversight and recommendations to the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, and Strategic Initiatives, on matters and strategies related to research and innovation, including those pertaining to the following programs and activities:
   
   • Canada Research Chairs (CRC) and Canadian Excellence Research Chairs (CERC)
   • Research funding (e.g. CFI, CFREF)
   • Internal programs (e.g. Connaught)
   • Honours and awards
   • Innovation and entrepreneurship
   • Researcher recruitment and retention (in collaboration with the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty & Academic Life)
3. Providing guidance on plans to sustain and expand current EDI initiatives relevant to research and innovation, including—but not limited to—the forty-nine recommendations of the Equity and Diversity in Research and Innovation (EDRI) Working Group Report.
4. Maintain an awareness of the University’s progress in implementing EDI initiatives related to research and innovation. The Committee will maintain this knowledge and assess overall progress by periodically requesting and receiving EDI reports, updates and analyses from staff in relevant portfolios.
5. In consultation with the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, and Strategic Initiatives, the Committee may strike sub-committees or working groups to investigate topics, from time to time, as is required. These sub-committees will be convened in coordination with the Division of People Strategy, Equity & Culture and the Vice-President & Provost.
6. Progress assessments and recommendations from the Committee will be received by the Research Advisory Board (RAB) through the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation. These assessments and recommendations will also be shared with the Division of People Strategy, Equity & Culture, and the Vice-President & Provost.

Members would commit to a one-year term, the potential for renewal with the endorsement of their divisional RAB representative and approval from the Associate Vice-President, Research. Members would attend 2-3 meetings per academic term, 1-2 hours in length.

Barbara FallonAssociate Vice-President, Research
Division of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation