UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA
UNBC joins latest Dimensions Canada cohort

The University of Northern British Columbia is joining the next cohort of Dimensions Canada, a national initiative led by Canada's federal research funding agencies aimed at transforming research culture through equity, diversity and inclusion.

As part of this cohort, UNBC reaffirms its ongoing commitment to identifying and eliminating systemic barriers faced by equity-deserving groups across all disciplines and areas of research activity.

Interim Vice-Provost, Research Dr. Sarah Gray and Equity and Inclusion Manager Mindy Gobbi are engaging the UNBC community to strengthen equity, diversity and inclusion in research through UNBC's participation in the latest Dimensions Canada cohort.

"Joining the Dimensions Canada cohort is a meaningful step forward in building a research environment where everyone can thrive," says UNBC Interim President Dr. Bill Owen. "UNBC's research excellence depends on the full and equitable participation of women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minority and racialized communities and members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities."

UNBC endorsed the Dimensions Charter of Principles in 2019, publicly committing to the values of equity, inclusion and belonging within its research ecosystem. Participation in the recognition program builds on that foundation, requiring institutions to undertake a structured self-assessment, develop an action plan and demonstrate measurable progress toward lasting cultural change.

Dimensions Canada is modelled on internationally recognized programs such as the Athena Swan Charter in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Science in Australia Gender Equity and SEA Change in the United States, reflecting a growing global consensus that inclusive research environments enrich and strengthen science outcomes and scholarship.

"UNBC's participation in Dimensions Canada reflects the University's values of inclusiveness and diversity," says UNBC Interim Vice-Provost, Research Dr. Sarah Gray. "As a northern institution, UNBC has a unique opportunity to lead by example in showing that a commitment to equity can be pursued with ambition and purpose."

Through the Dimensions recognition program, UNBC will engage students, faculty, staff and community partners in a collaborative process to examine its research culture, policies and practices and develop concrete actions to advance equity, diversity and inclusion. The work will be guided by data, community input and a commitment to transparency and accountability.

"This work is foundational to academia," says UNBC Manager, Equity and Inclusion Mindy Gobbi. "It supports people who have been historically disadvantaged and benefits everyone who enters post-secondary education and the research ecosystem. Equity and inclusion are essential to academic and research rigour, ensuring validity and meaningful application."

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada administers Dimensions Canada in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.