About Us
The Strategic Excellence and Equity in Recruitment and Retention Program (STEER/R)-Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact (HEI) Project aims to mitigate the implicit biases and injustices that are present in existing health research practices.
The department of HEI at McMaster University produces, synthesizes, packages, shares, and supports the best available research evidence in health and health-related fields. HEI undertakes a variety of initiatives designed to achieve impacts at all levels within as well as across health systems.
The main purpose of this project is to design an inequity-informed educational intervention that enables individuals to critically assess prejudicial norms within the healthcare community and understand how they are upheld, and equip HEI members with the tools and resources needed to combat barriers faced by equity-deserving groups.
The present goals of the project are to:
- Promote the adoption of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenous reconciliation (JEDI-IR) principles in HEI
- Establish a safe space for conversations about JEDI-IR
- Build capacity on JEDI-IR
- Understand EDI readiness in HEI educational programs
- Recognize individuals contributing their time to JEDI-IR initiatives
This project encompasses three phases, as described below.
Expandable List
The first phase of this project will commence with a thorough scan which will be conducted to investigate where improvements in JEDI-IR and support for Black Excellence can be implemented in HEI and related fields.
This scan will include:
A systematic literature review
The literature review will investigate existing interventions that aim to minimize anti-Black racism in graduate programs.
Qualitative research
The research will be conducted to investigate the experiences of equity-deserving students, faculty and staff.
A comprehensive review of the current HEI curriculum for anti-Black racism
A comprehensive review of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) readiness across all academic and educational opportunities of HEI.
The second phase of the implementation plan will use the data and information obtained from Phase 1 and use it to create educational and research materials that will be available to HEI members, including the HEI JEDI-IR online module and a shared resource bank.
HEI JEDI-IR Online Module:
This is an accessible online self-directed learning module which will be offered to HEI members through Avenue to Learn. This module will focus on the systemic injustice within healthcare education, research and policy and its consequent harm to equity-seeking groups. The module will be developed in collaboration with the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences but will be tailored to HEI-relevant issues.
Shared Resource Bank:
This is a shared resource bank that will be developed through JEDI-IR resource contributions from HEI department members. The shared resource bank will be accessible for all HEI-associated programs, related courses and mentorships to draw from, and help uphold, needed JEDI-IR standards across teaching and learning practices. Resources will include a knowledge bank of relevant and updated resources on JEDI-IR for evidence generation and implementation, as well as curriculum design to enhance our current courses.
The final phase of the project focuses on the support of current Black-Excellence initiatives in the HEI department, including support for Black-Excellence initiatives and the JEDI-IR award.
Support for Black-Excellence Initiatives:
The support and funding of research dedicated to working with Black communities in Toronto, Hamilton, etc., including research that aims to establish venues for community-building and enhance connection, inclusion and belonging, as well as create opportunities for student mentorship and further community collaborations.
The JEDI-IR Award:
This is an annual award for members of the department, including students, staff or faculty, for one of the following:
- Working on a new JEDI-IR initiative
- Support members of equity-deserving groups with tuition
- Help encourage research in the area of the recipient’s choice