The CSEE EDI Committee works to promote equity, diversity and inclusivity among its members, and to ensure these principles are upheld in CSEE we work alongside council and members to uphold these values, as outlined in the CSEE EDI statement. The committee organizes a range of activities, including webinars, resources, trainings, and events that support a culture of inclusion, accessibility, respect, and belonging within the CSEE community.
Diversity and Inclusivity Statement
The Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution (CSEE) is committed to promoting the study of ecology and evolution in Canada and globally, to raising public awareness of the importance of these fields, and to facilitating and expanding communication between CSEE members, policy-makers, granting councils and other stakeholders. Our Society embraces diversity and inclusivity and believes that all members, council members, visitors, and event participants deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and kindness and will treat others in the same manner. CSEE will not tolerate discrimination against members of any form, including discrimination based on age, cultural background, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, national origin, physical or mental difference, political affiliation, pregnancy or parental role, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socio-economic circumstance. CSEE recognizes that all of our members have roles to play in promoting diversity and encouraging inclusivity in Society activities, including annual member meetings, council meetings, and through committees and to help ensure that voices of underrepresented communities are heard within our society. CSEE is committed to proactively promoting a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusivity through implementation of our standing rules, committee work, and by identifying and tackling barriers to participation of its members.
Statement drafted by Julia Kilgour, Judy Myers, Jeremy Kerr, Sheila Colla and Jana Vamosi Approved at Business Meeting, AGM 2017, Victoria
We encourage our members to submit proposals for funding requests for specific initiatives or events aimed at advancing EDI in ecology and/or evolution. For more information, please visit our support for outreach webpage.
CSEE EDI Mini-Grants
Purpose
The Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution (CSEE) has identified that addressing inequity and social injustices in our community is a priority. In 2017, the society membership ratified the CSEE EDI statement that acknowledges that systemic injustice acts as a barrier to success among historically excluded and marginalized communities. In an effort to promote related actions, the CSEE annual budget includes funds allocated specifically for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
CSEE’s EDI committee has a small annual budget to support EDI initiatives led by CSEE members. There are many forms of initiatives that may be helpful in supporting CSEE in achieving its goals of reducing barriers and supporting inclusion of marginalized members. For example, initiatives could include the development of educational materials or resources, social events, panel talks or discussion groups in person (e.g., at the annual conference) or online. This page provides information on how to submit funding requests.
We encourage applications from CSEE members for EDI initiatives that support under-represented or marginalized groups. The initiatives should focus on advancing or improving EDI in ecology and evolution in Canada and must support the needs of the membership and CSEE’s priorities. Applicants should describe how their initiative will advance EDI principles and reduce barriers faced by marginalized or historically-excluded groups within the CSEE community. Support will typically range from $150-500 CAD, but may vary depending on the number of applications, the amount requested and the scope of the activities. Partial funding may be provided.
How to Apply
To apply, please prepare a document (max 2.5 pages) that includes the following information:
- Title of proposal
- Names, affiliations, position (e.g. graduate student, faculty, program director), contact (emails) of the main organizers and their CSEE membership # (must be active members of CSEE). CSEE membership numbers can be found by logging into the Members Area of the CSEE webpage.
- Location of event if relevant (including online).
- Proposed date(s) of activity.
- A 1-2 paragraph description of: A) the activity or initiative, B) its objectives, C) how it supports under-represented or marginalized groups, and D) how it will advance EDI in ecology and evolution in Canada.
- Target audience (e.g. graduate students, conservation practitioners, etc.) and expected size of audience if relevant.
- Requested funding amount and brief budget justification of how the funds will be used. Please include, if applicable, whether other funding sources will be/have been requested.
- Explain whether and how the activity will take place if only partial funding is available.
Send your application to the EDI committee: [email protected]
Proposal Evaluation
- Proposals will be evaluated based on: 1) meeting the objectives of advancing EDI in ecology and evolution in Canada, 2) serving under-represented or marginalized groups, 3) feasibility, 4) relevance for CSEE members, and 5) financial availability.
- If two (or more) similar proposals are submitted, EDI Committee members will strive to connect the applicants to encourage collaboration on their initiatives.
- Each application will be reviewed by at least two committee members and then presented to the entire committee for discussion; final decisions will be made by the entire committee.
- Note that we are unlikely to be able to fund all applications, due to our limited budget.
Timelines
- The EDI committee will evaluate proposals twice annually, by Feb 28th (or 29) and August 31st of each year.
- Applicants will be informed of whether their application will be funded within 4 weeks following the submission deadline.
Successful Applications
- Award recipients will send a short report of the event to the EDI Chair and the CSEE Treasurer along with receipts within 4 weeks of the completed activity. The report will outline how the funds were spent with evidence (e.g receipts) when possible, the audience size and a description of the activities. If applicable, include the official program.
- Any unused funds must be returned to the Society.
- Recipients must make the CSEE’s support visible on all documents (e.g. CSEE logo on posters, flyers, slides) and promotional materials (e.g. website) and acknowledge the support.
- CSEE may advertise events and/or post information about funded EDI initiatives on the CSEE website, CSEE social media feeds, and/or the CSEE email list.