Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+)
Governance structures |
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) recognizes the challenges for achieving full participation of individuals from underrepresented groups in natural sciences and engineering research, including equitable access and increased participation of women, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, LGBTQ2+ individuals and persons with disabilities, in NSERC’s programs. To address these challenges, NSERC has committed to the implementation of its Framework on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.This framework is an eight-point action plan outlining corporate-wide actions and initiatives to integrate equity, diversity and inclusion considerations into its policies, indicators of research excellence, evaluation criteria, and processes in order to eliminate systemic biases that hinder equitable access to its programs. NSERC has undertaken additional initiatives to ensure that GBA+ is integrated into agency decision-making and processes, including:
The agency participates in several internal and tri-agency EDI or GBA+ related committees including:
The Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program is currently implementing its EDI Action Plan in response to the recommendation in the program’s 15th-year evaluation that requires the adoption of greater transparency and accountability in the allocation of chairs, including in the selection and renewal processes for chair holders. NSERC collaborates with the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS) to develop policies that promote early-career researchers and increase diversity in chair holders, including increasing the number of women who are nominated. Accountability, monitoring and reporting mechanisms:
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Human resources |
The total number of planned full-time equivalents (FTEs) that will be dedicated to GBA+ implementation in the department in 2019–20 include:
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Planned initiatives |
NSERC will develop or continue to implement major initiatives to apply GBA+ to its programs, processes and policies in 2019–20, including: 1. Self-identification data collection: NSERC is developing and implementing systems to collect and monitor voluntary self-identification data on the participation of individuals from under-represented groups in its funding programs, committees, and peer review processes. This data will allow NSERC to develop a strategy to increase diversity and inclusion in its programs and committees. The collection of data on underrepresented groups in research is a priority area for the Canada Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC). This data collection initiative is being coordinated through an interagency working group involving representatives from the three granting agencies, as well as Genome Canada and the Canada Foundation for Innovation. 2. EDI elements are being integrated into funding application expectations and the assessment of applications by selection committees, including:
3. Implementation of GBA+ Budget 2018 initiatives, including:
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