Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and accessibility

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility

Equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) are fundamental values that—when incorporated throughout the institution’s ethos, culture, initiatives and processes—foster a research, learning and working community where everyone feels valued and respected. When EDIA is prioritized, it can lead to far-reaching changes that, in many instances, have been long overdue. NSCAD’s EDIA Targeted Action Plan (TAP) will be used as a guide to ensure EDIA is prioritized throughout all of NSCAD University and the work that we do.

NSCAD’s EDIA Targeted Action Plan.

At NSCAD University, we believe that an inclusive campus is an environment where every member is a valued contributor. It is an environment that encourages diverse perspectives in order for creativity and innovation to flourish. Fostering a culture of inclusion is a process that begins with acknowledging the diversity among us and that many members of our community experience barriers to education, employment, and full participation due to systemic factors. At NSCAD, we are committed to supporting a culture of inclusion that continually designs, reviews and rebuilds structures (policies, programs and practices) that are inclusive, equitable, and accessible to all.

ACCESSIBILITY FRAMEWORK

NSCAD University’s Accessibility Framework 2022-27 is a multi-year plan developed in collaboration with different sectors within the NSCAD community. The plan describes the actions NSCAD will take to make its environment accessible so that everyone can enjoy free and unhindered access to all activities offered on campus.

You can access NSCAD’s Accessibility Framework here.

Improving Our Practices

EDIA Workshop Resources (March 30, 2023)

The workshop focused on evaluation and application of EDIA best practices. What happens when EDIA becomes too conceptual? How do you apply EDIA in your daily practice? Topics included: sexual orientation and gender identity, policy, leadership and EDIA evaluation of organizations and institutional leadership (in the classroom or the boardroom).

EDIA Workshop Resources (February 1 and May 6, 2022)

Census

NSCAD will demonstrate its commitment to social justice and the removal of barriers to participation throughout our programs, services, and employment environment by executing specific actions to success, such as a community-wide census. An annual census will allow us to ensure that we have a baseline for understanding who is at NSCAD and for measuring the effectiveness of our Targeted Action Plan deliverables.

Census summary report of the data and FAQs

NSCAD Plans and Reports

Canada Research Chair

The Canada Research Chairs Program (CRCP) is committed to achieving a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canadian research enterprise. NSCAD University, as a participating institution, must make concerted efforts to meet the CRCP’s EDI targets, and provide a supportive and inclusive workplace.

NSCAD currently has one Canada Research Chair – Dr. Leah Decter, Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Creative Technologies and Community Engagement. Two additional Tier 2 Chairs are currently being recruited:

Canada Research Chair (tier-2) – Art Education Belonging and Social Change

Canada Research Chair (tier-2) – Transatlantic Black Diasporic Art and Community Engagement

For resources, important links and more information on NSCAD’s Canada Research Chairs, click here.

President's Advisory Council
On Anti-Racist Initiatives

In June 2020, NSCAD committed to establishing a multi-stakeholder task force that would advise the president on the development of an anti-racist action plan for the university. The task force, known as the President’s Advisory Council on Anti-Racist Initiatives (PADCARI), will continue as an integral part of NSCAD’s strategic plan to 2030.

Land Acknowledgement

The NSCAD Land Acknowledgement was developed by our Ombudsperson Jude Gerrard, a member of the Millbrook First Nation. Jude sought feedback and received approval from elders and leaders from several Indigenous communities and organizations across Mi’kma’ki. Jude has worked for many departments within the Nova Scotia public service, including Education and Early Childhood Education (where he helped established Treaty Education in Nova Scotia), Communities Culture and Heritage, and the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives, where he helped with Canada’s first Equity and Anti-racism legislation. He has worked at a number of post-secondary institutions in Nova Scotia and served on the National Indigenous Education Advisory Committee for Colleges and Institutions Canada. Read the Land Acknowledgement and learn how to use it.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and accessibility