The CSZ commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Statement

The Canadian Society of Zoologists is a not-for-profit scientific society whose objective is to promote the advancement and public awareness of Zoology and to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and ideas among all persons interested in the science and practice of Zoology. The Society strives to be a diverse and inclusive community that welcomes members of any age, gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, colour, cultural background, religion, place of origin, pregnancy or parental role, sexual orientation, ability, or socio-economic situation. The Society aims for a membership that reflects the diversity of the Canadian zoological community, and at the same time will work to ensure the diversity of the zoological community reflects the Canadian population at large. Within the Society, diversity of its membership is to be reflected at all levels, including participation at meetings, representation on council and committees, and when determining the recipients of its awards. The Society recognizes that a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion among its membership is both a moral imperative and an essential part of enabling the highest-quality, most innovative zoological research. Building a society that is equitable, diverse, and inclusive is an ideal, not a task that can ever be considered complete. To this end, the Society has established a committee, and is currently developing an action plan and code of conduct, to provide mechanisms to remove barriers to participation for all Canadian zoologists.

Action Plan

Immediate Goals

(2020-2021)

  • Survey the membership to understand current diversity and set targets for improvement

  • Launch a CSZ blog to highlight the diversity of Canadian zoologists

  • Formalize an EDI statement and Code of Conduct, publish and promote

  • (The Code of Conduct will address behaviour at both annual meeting and to maintain membership in the Society)

  • Amend the application process for awards to allow equity-seeking individuals to self-identify, and consider modifying the disbursement of travel support

Near Term Goals

(Next 3-5 Years)

  • Develop a reporting structure that will enable members to anonymously report complaints/Code of Conduct violations at annual meeting

  • Develop a plan to improve transparency about CSZ decisions and awards:

  • a) Implement concrete steps to increase diversity of award nominees

  • b) Collect and report data about historic award winners, executive committee members, and other high-profile roles within the society

  • Develop guidelines for inviting symposium speakers that promote EDI

  • Continual review of initiatives via EDI committee, create a culture of transparency and engagement with CSZ members

Long Term Goals

  • Increase the participation and quality of experience for currently under-represented groups within CSZ

  • Achieve a CSZ membership that reflects the demographics of the Canadian zoological community

  • Increase diversity in the Canadian zoological community to reflect the diversity of Canadians