Inclusion
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We acknowledge that the University of British Columbia Okanagan is on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Sylix (Okanagan) Peoples.
about inclusion at the Department of Psychology
The discipline of Psychology, like many scientific fields, has a history of racism, misogyny, ableism, and anti-2SLGBTQIA+ discrimination. Our broad goal is to focus our efforts within our Department to create and maintain an environment where everyone can thrive and to reduce barriers to undergraduate and graduate study. We also aim to bring equity to research and the clinical practice of Psychology. We have three groups dedicated to these aims: the Action for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (AIDE) Committee; the Psychology Allyship, Community, and Equity (PACE) committee, and the Reconciliation in Action committee. Given the recommendations from the Inclusion Action Plan and the Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Reports, we will take action on the following, including but not limited to:
- Developing and implementing methods for equitable practices to increase the recruitment and retention of diverse faculty, staff, and students
- Developing, monitoring, and responding to goals and metrics for EDIA within our Department
- Building community within our Department around topics related to EDIA such as through reading and discussion groups
- Reduce barriers to entry to graduate school for underrepresented groups, such as by assessing graduate applications through an EDIA lens
- Facilitating ongoing training for faculty, staff, and students in EDIA-related areas
Psychology Department Inclusion Committees
The Department of Psychology aims to bring equity to research and the clinical practice of Psychology. We have three groups dedicated to these aims: the Action for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (AIDE) Committee; the Psychology Allyship, Community, and Equity (PACE) committee, and the Reconciliation in Action committee.
The AIDE Committee is a group of graduate students and faculty in the Psychology Department at UBC Okanagan who are working towards addressing issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion in academia and the field of psychology. This includes addressing barriers to on campus services, ensuring equal opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students in psychology, improving access to admission and research training for underrepresented students (e.g., international, low-income, and Indigenous students), and implementing diversity, inclusion, and equity training within the Department. AIDE is committed to providing long-term advocacy and support for diversity, equity, and inclusion-related initiatives within the Psychology Department and the wider campus community.
Email: diversityinpsychology.ubc@gmail.com
Blog: blogs.ubc.ca/aide
PACE is a standing committee in the Department of Psychology focused on initiatives related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA). We are composed of faculty, staff, and students. Our mandate is to:
- Develop and implement methods for equitable practices to increase the recruitment and retention of diverse faculty, staff, and students
- Develop, monitor, and respond to goals and metrics for EDIA within our Department
- Build community within our Department around topics related to EDIA such as through reading and discussion groups
- Reduce barriers to entry to graduate school for underrepresented groups, such as by assessing graduate applications through an EDIA lens
- Facilitate ongoing training for faculty, staff, and students in EDIA-related areas
PACE is currently chaired by Dr. Jessica Lougheed, and any questions about our work or interest in getting involved can be sent to her at Jessica.lougheed@ubc.ca.
RIA is a standing committee in the Department of Psychology. We are composed of faculty, staff, and students. Our mandate is to facilitate ongoing departmental engagement with the UBC Indigenous Strategic Plan (ISP; 2020). The ISP was developed to help direct action toward reconciliation between UBC which is a colonial institution on unceded territory and Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Our short term goals include:
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- Facilitating the departmental completion of the ISP Self Assessment Tool (SAT) to establish a baseline
- Make recommendations based on preliminary impressions from an RIA review of the SAT
- Identify barriers and facilitators to departmental completion of the SAT
- Identify areas of strength and those requiring further developments as identified in the SAT; and also in line with the UBC Inclusion Action Plan and Anti-racism and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) Task Force Recommendations as appropriate and in consultation with the PACE and Curriculum committees
- Develop plans to address findings of the SAT
RIA is currently chaired by Dr. Susan Holtzman and Dr. Zach Walsh, and any questions about our work or interest in getting involved can be sent zachary.walsh@ubc.ca or susan.holtzman@ubc.ca.
PSY-Q is a student club that facilitates community and connection for 2SLGBTQIA+ students and allies in psychology and beyond. Throughout the year, we host events such as Halloween parties, holiday cookie decorating, and board game nights. You can find out more through our Instagram (@psyq.ok) or by emailing us at psyq.okanagan@gmail.com.