Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in EngSci

The Division of Engineering Science (EngSci) strongly supports U of T's Statement on Equity, Diversity and Excellence, and strives to build an inclusive community where all members have equal opportunity to achieve their full potential in an environment of mutual respect for the dignity and worth of every person.

On this page:

Meet EngSci's EDI Working Group

We want everyone in EngSci to feel that they belong.

We are a group of faculty, staff, and students taking action to create a welcoming place and culture for all members of our program's diverse community and which is free of harassment, discrimination or intolerance of any kind. The profession of engineering exists to create new technologies, products and services to protect and enhance the lives of people. This goal relies on having a community with equity, diversity and inclusion at its core.

We aim to educate Engineers for the World, and that starts right here in the EngSci classrooms, common room, offices, and across campus.

composite photo of the members of EngSci EDI working group

Who we are

Faculty

Staff

Students

Our mission

In recent years, the University of Toronto has committed to implementing many EDI-related recommendations from several task force reports.

The Engineering Science Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group (EDIWG) was formed to:

ensure our Division is taking meaningful action to achieve these goals, and
pilot initiatives within the EngSci community to improve the student, staff, and faculty experience in our program.

The EDIWG champions relevant resources and initiatives from across the university and U of T Engineering. We enact and promote the university's policies and procedures in a way that is meaningful within our unique community. In tandem, we build grassroots initiatives within EngSci that may grow to encompass other departments and Faculties.

We recognize that EDI issues are driven by individual behaviours, actions, and values and their societal, structural, and cultural context. By fostering open discussion within our diverse community—from students to department leadership—and providing accountability, we hope to spur progress toward our collective EDI goals.

Our activities in the 2023-2024 academic year

The EngSci EDIWG meets monthly and consults with relevant stakeholders to work on projects in four current focus areas.

FOCUS AREA 1: Fostering a Welcoming Culture in EngSci

Current projects include:

Increasing awareness of behaviour and professionalism expectations and EDI resources among incoming Year 1 EngSci students through new content in the EngSci Orientation Blog and its associated Meetups and in the First Year News Feed (Summer 2023)
Increasing awareness of professionalism expectations and the Faculty’s Incident Disclosure Process among all years of study (ongoing)
Drafting a statement on the Division’s views on inclusive behaviour within community spaces (classrooms, common rooms, etc.) and beyond (e.g., student-run online forums) (ongoing)

FOCUS AREA 2: Improving the EngSci Experience by Engaging with Instructors, Students, and Division Leadership

Current projects include:

Providing support and resources to EngSci instructors to encourage a greater diversity of guest speakers and panelists invited to speak in our courses (Fall and Winter 2024)
Creating a community of practice for EngSci Instructors, and acting as a conduit for information and research from university- or Faculty-wide groups and committees on EDI, teaching and mentorship (ongoing, expected launch of online instructor community in Summer 2024)
Supporting student organizations, including the EngSci Club, to achieve their EDI goals through events, communications, etc. (ongoing)

FOCUS AREA 3: Examining existing policies and processes to address barriers to EDI

FOCUS AREA 4: Measuring Success in EDI and the Working Group

How you can get involved

We encourage all EngSci students to support our goals.

Educate yourself: read U of T's student code of conduct, work through the Faculty’s Indigenous and Black Cultural Competency Toolkits, or complete one of the university's EDI workshops or trainings
Check the EngSci newsletter or EngSci Info Hub (utorID login required) for updates on our activities
Participate in EngSci Club initiatives
Suggest initiatives or gaps to the EngSci EDIWG
Contact the EngSci EDIWG

Need assistance?

You can reach out to EngSci's academic advisors, the Engineering Human Resources office, the U of T's Division of People Strategy, Equity & Culture, or any faculty or staff member that you feel comfortable approaching for skilled and compassionate support.

transparent sillouettes of several Black individuals in shades of red, orange, brown and green

Resources

All members of the U of T Engineering community have access to resources in support of our goals - from training opportunities, to support services for individuals, all-gender washrooms, numerous clubs and teams to help every person thrive, and much more.

an Indigenous dancer performing with outstretched arms in purple, beaded regalia

Events

Join us for annual events throughout the year to celebrate our diverse community, or check the U of T Engineering events calendar for upcoming EDI-related training sessions.

Making a confidential disclosure

U of T Engineering is committed to creating an equitable, inclusive and professional environment for all students, staff and faculty. If you experience or witness an incident of discrimination, harassment or unprofessionalism, you can make a confidential disclosure.

More information about confidential disclosures

Traditional Land Acknowledgement

We wish to acknowledge this land on which the University of Toronto operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.