Research

Research at ECU

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Research

Research at ECU

Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Emily Carr University is committed to supporting equity, diversity, inclusion and dignity of all people, as well as to establishing equal opportunities in employment. To that end, the university seeks to identify and remove potential barriers in employment including its recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion practices, and to foster a climate of equity. Over and above the designated groups, the university shall, from time to time, review status and identify other underrepresented groups.

ECU recognizes the urgent importance of fostering a research ecosystem that reflects the diversity of the broader Canadian population. Only when measures to cultivate equity, diversity and inclusion are foundational to a research environment can that environment be in a position to lead the country in advancing innovation, nurturing tomorrow’s leaders, and generating dynamic, systemic change.

ECU also acknowledges the potential impact that career interruptions (e.g. maternity leave, leave due to illness, etc.) can have on a CRC candidate’s record of research achievement. Applicants are encouraged to identify in their application the impact that career interruptions may have had on their record of practice and research achievement; this will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process.

By committing to engaging in EDI-centred practices across our operations, policies, and hiring plans, ECU’s research programs are better able to reflect and serve the interests of Canada’s diverse population.

The university has reaffirmed its commitment to increasing equity, diversity and inclusion on campus by endorsing the Dimensions Charter. Find out more on our Dimensions Charter webpage.

Emily Carr University is a small art and design institution with a small number of allocated CRC positions, therefore our efforts regarding EDI within the CRCP are embedded in the institution-wide initiatives relating to EDI. The university regularly reviews and updates an institutional EDI Action Plan which can be found here.

Research-related initiatives for raising awareness to EDI include:

  • Establishing a Research Advisory Committee to review results of community consultations and complete the development of a new 2023-28 Strategic Research Plan that centres commitments to EDI.
  • Actively supporting and promoting the application of under-represented researchers for internal research grants.
  • Receiving funding as part of the NSERC EDI Capacity Building grant to develop systems-level changes to advance EDI across research activities and university operations.
  • Regular review of policies and procedures to address existing barriers and adopt more inclusive and accessible practices within Research.
  • Engaging consultants to develop a CRC EDI Action Plan for ECU.

Emily Carr University is committed to following the CRC Program’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Requirements and Practices and we understand our obligations under the 2019 Addendum to the 2006 Canadian Human Rights Settlement Agreement. For an overview of the CRC Program, please visit their Program Statistics page.

The university clearly states its commitment to EDI in its job posting for faculty and Canada Research Chairs and hiring committees are ask to attend training relating to equity, diversity and inclusion as well as identifying unconscious bias.

A copy of our institution’s 2020 EDI progress report can be found here. A copy of our institution’s 2021 EDI progress report can be found here. A copy of our institution’s 2022 EDI progress report (as submitted) can be found here.

Reporting requirements for the EDI Progress Report were suspended for the 2023–24 cycle while the CRCP reviewed alternative approaches for publishing its reports.

Emily Carr University currently has one active Canada Research Chair, appointed in August 2025. Because the 2024–25 annual reports were generated in April 2025, prior to the Chair’s activation, Emily Carr University was not included in the 2024–25 fiscal year reporting.

Questions, Requirements and University Policies

CRC equity, diversity and inclusion concerns can be directed to the attention of the AVP of Human Resources in their capacity as policy advisor.

The policy advisor shall advise on appropriate remedies in consultation with the President. Remedies may include formal or informal pathways to resolution which could include the involvement of an external investigator.

Additionally, please refer to ECU’s policies and procedures for more information:

Emily Carr University of Art + Design has participated in the Canada Research Chairs Program since 2013. The university has seen its allocation of Canadian Research Chairs (CRCs) increased in the last year. Our distribution of allocations below.

CRC Distribution of Allocation
IDChairholderStart DateEnd DateTermAgencyTierStatus
1025412Available
1021122Available
1021112Available
100110SSHRC2Nomination Pending
100190SSHRC2Nomination Pending

Emily Carr’s CRCP utilization (November 2024)

Three of our CRC allocations were filled in 2014 and 2015: Canada Research Chair in Art + Design Technology, Canada Research Chair in Design + Media Arts and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Studies. To view current job postings and previous job postings, please see the sections below.

Current CRC Postings

Tier 2 CRC in Indigenous Research (Sept 18, 2023)

Tier 2 CRC in Sustainability, Ecological Justice, and Climate Action in Creative Practices (Sept 18, 2023)