Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in Postsecondary Research: A Confluences Grand Challenge Action Dialogue
Jan 20, 2025 — 12 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
翱苍鈥Monday, January 20th, 2025,鈥痶he Institute for Science, Society and Policy (ISSP) hosted the third in its series of action dialogues addressing grand challenges at the science, society and policy interface. The January 20 Dialogue featured鈥Dr. Wendy Rodgers, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Prince Edward Island, and Chair of the Council of Canadian Academies鈥 Expert Panel on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Postsecondary Research System, who provided an overview of the key findings of the CCA Expert Panel report. Dr. Rodgers was joined by ISSP Director Dr. Monica Gattinger, who shared findings from a recent ISSP report on EDI. Dr. Gregor Wolbring, ISSP Senior Fellow and Academic Director of the University of Calgary鈥檚 Office of EDI, and Drayton Mulindabigwi, CEO of The Novas Group, participate as discussants.鈥Dr. Catherine Mavriplis, ISSP Faculty Affiliate and CCA EDI Expert Panel member moderated.
About the Event
The event is part of the鈥疘SSP鈥檚 Grand Challenge Action Dialogue鈥痵eries, which convenes policymakers, researchers and thought leaders in a variety of sectors to expand mobilization of knowledge on grand challenges at the science-society-policy interface. The Dialogues are one element of a broader suite of activities supporting the ISSP鈥檚 flagship collaborative initiative鈥Confluences: Navigating where science, society and policy come together in Canada.鈥赌赌赌
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Confluences emerges from the Institute鈥檚鈥Strategic Plan 2021-2026, which sets the ambitious vision of helping Canada transform decision-making to meet the grand challenges of our time. Our research, teaching and outreach focus on three key thematic areas underpinning our vision: building public trust in expertise and expert-based decision-making; developing co-production of policies among academic, government, industry, Indigenous and civil society members; and weaving together technological and social innovations.
Dr. Wendy Rodgers
Speaker
President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown, PEI)
Wendy Rodgers earned her PhD in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo, a master鈥檚 degree from Western University, and an undergraduate degree from York University. Dr. Rodgers has been active in research ethics review and related administration since the beginning of her career.
Dr. Rodgers studies social cognitive theories as they relate to behaviour change in varying contexts with a particular focus on exercise in rehabilitation settings. Her work concerns how individual motivational characteristics relate to intentions to increase exercise behavior in consideration of contextual influences that might impede or support behavioural adoption, change, and persistence. Dr. Rodgers has an extensive publication and funding record and experience with federal funding agencies.
Dr. Rodgers has a long history of administrative and governance roles within the academy. She has led institutional initiatives in the areas of equity, diversity, and inclusion, in leadership development and support, issues management, faculty workload and evaluation, and oversight and leadership of the academic mission of the university.
Dr. Monica Gattinger
Speaker
Director, Institute for Science, Society and Policy, University of Ottawa
Monica Gattinger is Director of the Institute for Science, Society and Policy, Founding Chair of Positive Energy, and Full Professor at the School of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Gattinger is an award-winning researcher and highly sought-after speaker, strategic adviser and media commentator in the energy sector. Her innovative research programme convenes business, government, Indigenous, civil society and academic leaders to address complex policy, regulatory and governance challenges. Gattinger is Fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, board member of the Clean Resource Innovation Network, and serves on advisory committees for Ontario鈥檚 Independent Electricity System Operator, the National Research Council Canada, the Ontario Energy Board, the Ottawa Science Policy Network, the University of Calgary and Women in Nuclear Canada. She chaired the Council of Canadian Academies鈥 Expert Panel on International Science and Technology Partnerships and was a member of the Government of Ontario鈥檚 Electrification and Energy Transition Panel. Monica is a columnist for DOB Energy and she received the 2020 Clean50 Award for her thought leadership in the energy sector. She holds a PhD in public policy from Carleton University.
Dr. Catherine Mavriplis
Moderator
Full Professor, Faculty of Engineering, ISSP Faculty Affiliate
Catherine Mavriplis is Full Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ottawa. Her specialty is high order numerical methods for aerodynamics simulations. Dr. Mavriplis is also dedicated to research and program development in support of women in science and engineering. She held the NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering from 2011 to 2021, a program that aims to recruit, retain and advance women to leadership.
Dr. Mavriplis holds an Honours Bachelor鈥檚 Degree of Mechanical Engineering from McGill, as well as a Master鈥檚 and Ph.D. in Aeronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After a postdoctoral stay at Princeton, she became professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at George Washington University. She has also worked at the US National Science Foundation, NASA Langley and University of Oklahoma before returning to Canada.
Dr. Mavriplis has been President of the Computational Fluid Dynamics Society of Canada and a Councillor of the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute.
She has been elected Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and Fellow of Engineers Canada.