2024 Update

• Established an institute-specific EDI committee, which created a guide for inclusive language and practice.

• Started work to review all IMI recruitment and web materials, aiming to promote a welcoming community for Black and other equity-deserving students.

• Revised program orientation to include new content about IMI’s wellness resources and EDI commitments, including recommendations of U of T’s Anti-Black Racism Task Force.

• Began early-stage plans to refresh admissions processes to recognize anti-racist work and Black excellence.

• Piloted EDI training for graduate students in biotechnology and management of innovation programs.

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2022 Update

• Reassessing IMI recruitment material to ensure an intentionally welcoming focus on Black students; re-evaluating IMI recruitment practice, to ensure admissions committees recognize anti-racist and Black excellence work.
• Considering options to offer training on anti-Black racism to all incoming students, and to promote EDI, anti-racist, and wellness resources, as part of student orientation.

2024 Update

• Continued to await student demographic data through the School of Graduate Studies’ dashboard.

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2022 Update

• Compiling data from SGS demographic dashboard to better understand the number of Black students who apply to IMI programs, along with the number who are admitted and accept IMI offers.

2024 Update

• Hired a research assistant to complete an environmental scan of EDI best practices at Canadian universities.

• Started annual meetings with the Office of the Registrar to promote IMI’s graduate programs, with a next-step goal to advance discussion on equitable, accessible pathways from undergraduate to graduate-level studies.

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2022 Update

• Planning to leverage student equity data to design Black access programs, in consultation with Black alumni.
• Exploring opportunities for an IMI working group on best practices in inclusive recruitment.
• Aiming to collaborate with OR and others on new communications that emphasize accessible pathways from undergraduate to graduate study at UTM.

2024 Update

• Promoted training and educational opportunities on anti-racism and inclusivity, including sessions run by U of T’s Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office.

• Collaborated with UTM’s International Education Centre on staff training in global cross-cultural fluency.

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2022 Update

• Planning to expand IMI professional development opportunities for faculty and staff, including new training in anti-racist pedagogies and anti-Black racism cultural competency.