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Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Special Session Programming:
In collaboration with the National Research Council Canada (NRC), the CSChE is excited to present Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Special Programming at CCEC 2020. This programming spotlights the critical role of EDI as a foundation for innovation in Canada’s chemical sciences sector and the immense societal and economic benefits that it brings.

Program Overview

Wednesday, October 28

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Plenary Panel
Building effective EDI practices: A panel discussion with changemakers
12:00 PM - 12:15 PM Break
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM Virtual Networking Session
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Special Symposium
Advancing EDI practices in the Canadian chemical engineering community (contributed and invited talks)
3:00 PM - 3:20 PM Break
3:20 PM - 5:20 PM Special Symposium
Advancing EDI practices in the Canadian chemical engineering community (contributed and invited talks)

Thursday, October 29

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDI Workshop
Catalyzing change in the chemical engineering community:
An open forum
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Special Symposium
EDI allies in the Canadian chemical
engineering community (contributed and invited talks)
3:00 PM - 3:20 PM Break
3:20 PM - 5:20 PM Special Symposium
EDI allies in the Canadian chemical engineering community (contributed and invited talks)

Plenary Panel

Wednesday, October 28, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM

Building effective EDI practices: A panel discussion with changemakers

Geneviève Tanguay, Women in STEM champion and Vice-President, Emerging Technologies at the NRC will moderate this plenary panel discussion as part of CCEC 2020’s special programming on equity, diversity, and inclusion. Dr. Tanguay will be joined by our panelists:

Geneviève Tanguay

Moderator
Vice-President, Emerging Technologies at the National Research Council Canada (NRC)

Catherine Mavriplis

Panelist
Professor, University of Ottawa and NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering

Denise Pothier

Panelist
Stantec, Vice President, Practice Services and Vice President, Indigenous Relations

Paulette Vincent Ruz

Panelist
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Michigan

What does it mean to be an ally to underrepresented groups in STEM in 2020? A growing body of evidence shows that the equity, diversity, and inclusion practices (EDI) can strengthen innovation and success in STEM. While initiatives to support people in equity-seeking groups in STEM have made some progress, more can be done to ensure that people with a diverse range of identities and experiences can thrive in STEM fields. This plenary panel discussion brings together EDI changemakers from industry, academia, and government who continue to navigate equity issues. In this session, we will discuss how every individual can support underrepresented groups, and the responsibilities of EDI allies to create positive changes in the Canadian chemical engineering community. This plenary session is an invitation for everyone to use your influence with intention to catalyze change.

Virtual Networking Session

Wednesday, October 28, 12:15 PM-1:00 PM

This networking session will immediately follow the plenary panel, allowing attendees to engage with the questions discussed by the panelists and meet other CCEC attendees looking to support EDI initiatives in virtual breakout rooms.

Special Symposium

Wednesday, October 28, 1:00 PM-3:00 PM and 3:20 PM-5:20 PM

Advancing EDI practices in the Canadian chemical engineering community (contributed and invited talks)

The Canadian chemical engineering community is made stronger through EDI practices, but many may not understand the additional barriers faced by equity-seeking groups within the community. This special session will highlight the stories of EDI champions who continue to navigate equity issues and how these experiences have influenced their research and/or teaching practices. Not only does the session aim to support equity-seeking groups, but it also aims to better equip members of the community-at-large to engage with these practices through stakeholder discussions.

Learn more about our speakers:

  • Clémence Fauteux-Lefebvre, University of Ottawa
  • Vanessa Raponi, SpinMaster
  • Alex Veinot, Queen’s University
  • Yanet Villasana, Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam

EDI Workshop

Thursday, October 29, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM

Catalyzing change in the chemical engineering community: An open forum

This event is a 1-hour forum that offers attendees the opportunity to reflect on the conversations within CCEC 2020’s EDI programming. The overarching goal of this forum is to facilitate an inclusive environment for all conference attendees and to promote opportunities for mentorship from others in the community. All conference attendees, including students, academics, industry professionals, and government scientists and engineers at different stages of their careers, are welcome to discuss the various issues faced by underrepresented minorities in the chemical sciences community. Discussions within the forum will include but are not limited to, those highlighted within the EDI programming.

Special Symposium

Thursday, October 29, 1:00 PM-3:00 PM and 3:20 PM-5:20 PM

EDI allies in the Canadian chemical engineering community (contributed and invited talks)

Allies can be powerful voices alongside underrepresented voices to create equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplaces. This special session will be focused on allyship and its value within the Canadian chemical engineering community. The speakers in this session will show how every individual can support underrepresented groups and will celebrate current allies who have created positive changes in the Canadian chemical engineering community.

Learn more about our speakers:

  • Jacky Deng, University of Ottawa
  • John Hayward, University of Windsor
  • Breanne Moss, Bruce Power
  • Starlene Macdonald, Ontario Power Group
  • Stephanie Farrell, Rowan University

CCEC Diversity and Inclusion Registration Support

CCEC 2020, in collaboration with NRC, is excited to offer CCEC diversity and inclusion registration support to encourage the participation of diverse groups at the conference increase its accessibility for underrepresented groups. This registration support will provide an opportunity for equity-seeking undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early career professionals to receive complimentary registration. This support aims to reduce systemic barriers that may hinder participation in the CCEC technical and/or EDI program.

Applications for this fee waiver will be reviewed by a separate committee from the conference organizing committee and will not have an impact on presentation status. Eligible applicant attributes include:

  • Undergraduate or graduate student, postdoc, or early career professional (<10 years from graduation with a terminal degree)
  • Member of an underrepresented group in STEM (including but not limited to women, racialized people, 2SLGBTQ+ people, persons with disabilities, and Indigenous Peoples)
  • Working/studying at a Canadian institution
  • Preference will be given to applicants who are attending CCEC for their first time.

The CCEC 2020 Equity Diversity and Inclusion programming is presented in collaboration with the National Research Council Canada (NRC).