CBS Indigenous and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Survey

The CBS Indigenous and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CBS IND+EDI) survey is being conducted by the Office of the Associate Dean Academic for the College of Biological Sciences (CBS) and the Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL).  

The survey is based on a similar initiative conducted in the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences (CSAHS) and the University of Guelph-Humber. We thank Anna Johnson and Dr. Kim Anderson who developed the CSAHS survey. We also appreciate the guidance we received from Dr. Cara Wehkamp (Asst. V.P., Indigenous Initiatives);, Barry Praamsma-Townshend (Manager, Student Accessibility Services); Angela Guerra and Graham Brown (Office of Diversity and Human Rights); Anna Johnson, Dr. Kim Anderson, Jess Notwell, and Dr. Paula Barata (CSAHS, including authors of the Indigenizing Curricula and Pedagogies report); and the CBS Departmental EDI Committee Chairs. Finally, also acknowledge the Indigenous Initiatives Strategic Task Force and the Pedagogy and Curriculum Working Group Report. 
 

What is the purpose of the survey?

The survey is designed to serve multiple purposes:

  • To establish a baseline of the extent to which Indigenous content and pedagogy are incorporated into undergraduate and graduate courses offered by CBS in 2021 and 2022 
  • To establish a baseline of the extent to which equity, diversity, and inclusivity are incorporated into undergraduate and graduate courses offered by CBS in 2022 
  • To establish a baseline of the extent to which accessible teaching practices and policies are incorporated into undergraduate and graduate courses offered by CBS in 2022 
  • To use the results to inform the development of College-specific policy and resources to better support equity, diversity, inclusivity, and Indigeneity in the curriculum 
  • To share resources and increase awareness of Indigeneity, equity, diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility in teaching at the individual, departmental, and College levels 
  • To stimulate reflection and conversations about Indigeneity, equity, diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility in teaching practices 

What questions does the survey include?

The survey includes the questions pertaining to the following sections:

  • Number of courses taught Inclusion of Indigenous content and teaching practices in Course X
  • Inclusion of EDI content and teaching practices in Course X
  • Inclusion of accessible teaching practices in Course X
  • Barriers to including IND+EDI content and teaching practices in courses
  • Resources used and needed related to IND+EDI content and teaching practices
  • Perceived opportunities to include IND+EDI content and teaching practices in teaching 

Note: in Course X indicates that survey respondents will be asked to respond to the questions in these sections for each course that they teach. 

On Language Use

In this survey, we use key terms such as decolonization, reconciliation, equity, inclusion, accessibility, each of which are themselves the subject of debate. While we have provided operational definitions of these terms as recognized by our institutions, it is important to note that these words may not effectively convey the values of all people. For this reason, we must continue to learn from diverse communities about the terms they use to describe the various changes they would like to see. 
 

Who is being asked to complete this survey?&

All instructors of undergraduate and graduate courses offered by the three departments in CBS and the Department of Biomedical Science.  

 
How long will the survey take to complete?

We estimate that the survey will take about 15 minutes to complete for each course that you teach. You can save the survey and return to it later by closing your browser and then clicking on the link again on the same browser. 

 
When should I complete the survey?

We ask that the survey is completed by September 21st, 2022.
 

What will we do with the results?

Results will be presented in aggregate (e.g., by department, major, year level, etc.) and individual instructors or courses will not be identified in general reports or presentations shared with individuals outside of CBS or Biomedical Sciences.  Survey results including course level information will be share with curriculum committees and chairs for curriculum mapping, review, planning, cyclical program review, and to help understand the resources needed to support future initiatives.  The results of this survey will not be used for research. 

 

Whom can I contact with questions? 

Please contact John Dawson with questions about the CBS IND+EDI Survey initiative. For questions about the development of the survey or information found within the survey please contact Brian Husband or Heather Pollock. For technical assistance or if you require an alternative survey format, please contact Aron Fazekas (afazekas@uoguelph.ca) or Jennifer Reniers (jreniers@uoguelph.ca).

CBS Indigenous and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CBS IND+EDI)  survey