PICRDI and TRC annual implementation reports 2020-2021
The Faculty of Arts and Science Principal’s Implementation Committee on Racism, Diversity and Inclusion (PICRDI) and Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Implementation Reports 2020-2021 demonstrate that the Faculty has taken significant steps to create a climate of inclusion and to increase the number of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigenization (EDII)-related initiatives across all academic units once again this year.
The PICRDI Report 2020-2021 highlights the completion of the second year of the Faculty’s five-year Strategic Plan. Equity, diversity, and inclusion including anti-racism, decolonization, and Indigenous resurgence,is a critical guiding principle woven through the Plan’s strategic priorities, 50 action items and corresponding metrics.
The Faculty recruited five new Queen’s National Scholar (QNS) positions and an additional three faculty positions to support the development of Black Studies, including the BA Minor/General in Black Studies to be launched in 2022. Read more: Faculty of Arts and Science hiring seven positions in support of Black Studies at Queen’s.
The Queen’s National Scholars Program has been especially important in recruiting Indigenous faculty, and FAS’s success within the context of the QNS program serves as an inspiration to building Indigeneity (faculty; teaching and learning; research; programming) through the wider context of faculty renewal in Arts and Science.
Dr. Amitava Chowdhury (History) was also appointed Special Advisor to the Dean on Global and Decolonization Initiatives, investigating and advising on initiatives to ensure they are in accordance with the Faculty’s Strategic Plan. Read more: Amitava Chowdhury appointed Special Advisor to the Dean on Global and Decolonization Initiatives.
Building on the success of the inaugural Pre-Doctoral Fellowships for Indigenous program, in 2021-22, FAS will award three Pre-Doctoral Fellowships for Indigenous Students as well as three new Pre-Doctoral Fellowships in Black Studies. The program is the first of its kind in Canada and is designed to support the intellectual and scholarly development of senior doctoral candidates in ways that position them for success.
The Faculty of Arts and Science also announced the appointment of Dr. Elliot Chapple as the new Director, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigenization (EDII). As the new Director, Dr. Chapple is responsible for taking the lead on proactive EDII initiatives, which will foster a learning and working environment where all have an opportunity to succeed. Read more: New EDII Director brings unique blend of experience to FAS.
The EDII Curriculum Committee is also working to ensure that EDII is incorporated into pedagogical and curricular-based initiatives, which supports the FAS initiative to establish a process to ensure program and course level learning outcomes, and assessments include global/non-western/Indigenous perspectives and content pertaining to identify, difference, and social justice.
The TRC Implementation Report 2020-2021 outlines progress on the university’s TRC recommendations, and we recognize there are many recommendations that require continued planning and implementation by the Faculty.
FAS plays a key role in Indigenous Studies programming and curriculum through various levels of participation in curriculum design, new programming in Indigenous studies, and credentials. A major milestone in 2020-21 was the launch of the new Major in Indigenous Studies, which builds on the success of the BA minor concentration in Indigenous Studies.
Creating a mentoring program to retain new Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Colour (BIPOC) faculty members, as recommended in the PICRDI report and which also supports recommendations made in the TRC report, will be a focal point in the coming year. As mentioned above, FAS has also recruited Indigenous Queen’s National Scholars and Pre-doctoral Fellows, which supports the Indigenization of the curriculum.
The 2020-2021 Annual Review also highlights the continued work on EDII initiatives.