Bambi has often criticized the DEI-based academic hiring practices and grant writing policies of the federally-funded research in Canada, as per old posts shown further below.
Over the current and past year, she even found herself declining two Canadian Health Research (CIHR) grant reviewing invitations because she did not want to provide answers to identity-based questions. For her, the expertise of reviewers is what matters. No, it is not any of the other characteristics of whom they are (religion, origins, race, sexual orientation, etc.). This is why she asked if the CIHR to put a note in her file about the latter. As soon as DEI policies are reversed, she would be honoured and delighted to help with reviewing processes again.
Bearing the above in mind, Bambi is thankful for Ms. Jamie Sarkonak’s article in the National Post about the academic pushback to the federally-imposed DEI policies in research funding (https://shorturl.at/u9G1C).
Indeed, from Sarkonak’s article, one learns the following ((https://shorturl.at/u9G1C):
“The bad news: there is no plan to ramp down diversity-based funding and the use of racial quotas in the federally funded research landscape. The good news? More and more people have noticed — including the academics at the heart of the system.
In the latest development, about 40 Canadian university professors have recommended to the House of Commons that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies in federally funded research be abolished. Such policies have multiplied within the three agencies responsible for funding research, known collectively as the Tri-Council, since the Liberals took office”.
Criticisms of DEI and its intrusion into research have also been raised by biochemist Geoff Horsman, social scientist David Haskell and chemist Leigh Revers, all of whom are professors who have written in Postmedia’s pages and all of whom signed the brief submitted to the House“.
To conclude this post filled with hope, Bambi will add that she is proud of be one of the co-signing 40 faculty members recommending to the House of Commons to abolish the DEI policies in research funding in Canada (https://shorturl.at/7FNrp). With much appreciation and gratefulness, she thanks Dr. Horsman as well as Dr. Haskell and Dr. Revers for this uplifting initiative. Best wishes!
—
I agree entirely that DEI-based academic hiring practices and the uses of DEI for federally-funded research in Canada has to be abolished. However, I also believe DEI needs to be abolished in its entirety. We need to bring back merit-based hiring that is color blind and does not discriminate. DEI by its very nature is discriminatory.
HEY BAMBI … I AGREE WITH THIS PIECE TOTALLY ……… IH AVE BUT ONE SMALL COMMENT,
IT HAS TO DO WITH THIS OBSERVANCE ( REQUOTED BELOW ) .
WHILE THIS QUOTE IS ACCURATE & WELCOME ……… TO MY MIND ( ESPECIALLY FROM THE
ACADEMICS AT ITS HEART ) I FIND “FAR TOO LITTLE & FAR TOO LATE ” . GRAMPA WOULD SAY ” AN ONCE OF PREVENTION , IS BETTER THAN A POUND OF CURE ”
“The bad news: there is no plan to ramp down diversity-based funding and the use of racial quotas in the federally funded research landscape. The good news? More and more people have noticed — including the academics at the heart of the system.”
Many thanks, Dearest Russ, for your comment filled with the lucidity of much life wisdom. Bambi appreciates your positive words and the piece of advice of “Grampa”. Food for thought for sure!