EDI Colloquium

Carl Sagan’s iconic question, "Who speaks for Earth?" from Cosmos invites us to reflect on whose voices are heard as we contemplate humanity's place in the universe. I will explore this question from the perspective of a queer mathematician, intertwining my personal journey with the broader…

The Indigenous peoples from the Pacific Ocean are the People of the Sea. Over generations, our ancestors pioneered ways to intentionally travel across thousands of miles of open ocean using only the information nature provides. No external instruments were needed for guidance; rather the navigator…

Learn more about the benefits of creating an accessible environment and how you play a part. Dr. Mahadeo Sukhai and Ainsley Latour are scientists, researchers, educators and IDEA professionals, who are passionate about and committed to inclusion in the scientific research and training enterprise…

During this colloquium, I will discuss my journey in looking for astronomical information hiding in the ancestral knowledge of my community. I will show concrete examples of my findings and encourage communities to engage in similar practice to provide content that could be used to teach indigenous…

Over the last decade, there have been many Perimeter efforts in the realm of EDI, and they have unquestionably enhanced the Institute’s culture. Paradoxically, some of these efforts have illuminated areas where we can do more, and there are still others to be addressed. In Perimeter’s short life, we…

It has been argued astronomy and astrophysics as a research field developed with the first telescope. At the same time that Galileo observed the phases of Venus and the moons of Jupiter, European Powers will colonizing the Americas and other parts of the world. This began a relationship between…

Academic science reflects the context in which science is conducted. Thus, the academic scientific enterprise struggles with privilege, racism, sexism, ableism, and homophobia, in Canada, as around the world. In this talk, I will address the uncomfortable and sometimes difficult conversations we…

Indigenous wellness and higher education in Canada, through the creation of Indian Residential Schools, has a dark history and has left a legacy of intergenerational trauma for Indigenous peoples. Currently, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report (2015) provides a timely context for…

There is a profound lack of diversity in science labs and classrooms, which has a negative impact on productivity. Scientific research demonstrates that diverse groups are more creative and better able to solve problems. Though the perception is that things are improving, NSERC’s recently released…