The University of Ottawa and Faculty of Medicine strategic plans recognize that Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Social Justice (IDEAS) strengthen the scientific and medical communities and the quality, social relevance, and impact of research. Recognizing and integrating these values across the research enterprise is therefore a priority of the Research Office. In support of this important priority area, the Faculty of Medicine Research Office has committed to providing open forums of training and discussion on topics related to IDEAS in research on an ongoing basis. These sessions are designed to be peer-led, to foster and inspire conversation and growth on best practices within our learning, working and research environment.
Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Social Justice Action Plan
April 24, 2025: Learning Lab: Fostering Diversity & Meaningful Engagement with Patient Partners in Research
Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET
Location: University of Ottawa (Room TBD)
This interactive workshop will provide practical strategies to engage patient partners in research, helping you design more inclusive and impactful studies. This session will focus on inclusive research practices, addressing power imbalances, and integrating diverse patient perspectives throughout all research stages.
Why attend?
- Learn how to meaningfully collaborate with patient partners
- Develop action plan for engaging with diverse partners in research
- Gain skills to be successful in your future career and research
Register
May 6, 2025: Brain-Heart Research for all: IDEAS in Data Governance/Data Governance in IDEAS
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET followed by networking from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: To be determined
Panelists: Dr. Emilio Alarcon
This 1-day workshop will bring together researchers, students, experts in Indigenous, Open Science and Rights-Based perspectives, community groups and people with lived experiences interested in and engaged in fair and equitable data governance in brain-heart research that benefits all.
The goal of the workshop is to discuss, learn and identify opportunities and challenges for Indigenous populations and equity-deserving groups to have voice, ownership, and control over identity-based health data in brain-heart research. The workshop will explore these issues in the spirit of developing respectful, trusting, inclusive and safe relationships in data production and use.
More information coming soon!
Previous sessions:
September 27, 2024: Building an inclusive environment
Panelists: Dr. Ian Colman, Dr. Zahra Clayborn and Mr. Ayoub Chobah
In this conversation, panelists will discuss certain practices they have implemented in their research group, including how they first developed the ideas, what were the wins and challenges, and what was the impact on the group environment.
November 12, 2024: Courageous Conversations - Race in Research
Panelists: Dr. Awad Ibrahim and Dr. Sonya Faber
In this conversation, panelists will discuss the concept and history of race, and the best approaches to integrate (or not) race in research and its applicability and implementation.
Presentation slides from Dr. Awad Ibrahim and presentation slides from Dr. Sonya Faber.
Watch the workshop replay on Stream!
January 29, 2025: Patient Engagement 101 – Preclinical and Clinical Research
Panelists: Dr. Manoj Lalu, Mr. Talston Scott, Ms. Meredith Conboy and Mr. Stephen Daniels
In this conversation, panelists will provide an overview of best practices to find and engage patients in research, and provide guidance on developing a personalized patient engagement plan. This session will include tips for both clinical and preclinical research.
Presentation slides from Dr. Manoj Lalu
February 26, 2025: Mitigating Bias in Research
Location: RGN 2021
Panelists: Dr. Catherine Tsilfidis
March 5, 2025: Rethinking Physician Well-Being: Addressing Ableism and Improving Accessibility in Medicine
Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET
Location: Zoom
Panelists: Dr. Michael Quon
March 13, 2025: Using iPAD as an Accessibility Tool
Panelists: Dr. Emilio Alarcon
March 25, 2025: Community Engagement in Research
Panelists: Dr. Ewurabena Simpson and Dr. Alice Zwerling
In this conversation, panelists will share their experiences with community engagement in research. Covering populations from the Global South, Indigenous populations and immigrant/newcomer communities, our panelists will share their approaches, lessons learned and research impact when engaging communities in the research process.
March 27, 2025: From Eugenics and Institutionalization to Meaningful Participation in Biomedical and Medical Research
Panelists: Dr. Emilio Alarcon
The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion invites you to participate in this seminar led by Dr. Emilio Alarcon, associate professor and Director of the Biochemistry Graduate Program at the Faculty of Medicine.
In this seminar, we will learn some of the barriers that prevent the participation of persons with disabilities in biomedical and medical research not only as patients but also as individuals doing research.
Objectives:
1. Identify the barriers persons with disabilities face in biomedical research; and
2. Explain the difference between accommodations and accessibility.
