From Inclusion to Belonging: Rethinking Diversity and Inclusion in Academic Space

Date

Wednesday November 19, 2025
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Location

Online via Zoom

Visit the Re-Imagining Academia Speaker Series page for more details.

Speaker

Dr. Eddy Ng - Professor & Smith Professor of Equity and Inclusion, Queen’s University

Presentation

“From Inclusion to Belonging: Rethinking Diversity and Inclusion in Academic Space” (Link to Abstract)

Date and Time

November 19, 2025 (12 - 1:30 pm EST)

Event Registration

Please register using Eventbrite - a Zoom link will be sent to you closer to the date of the event.

Event Format

This session will include a 30-minute talk followed by a moderated 45-50-minute Q&A session with the attendees. 

Moderator

Dr. Yasmine Djerbal - Associate Director, Centre for Teaching and Learning

About the Event

Diversity has long been a stated value within universities, yet the lived experiences of many faculty, staff, and students reveal persistent inequities in recruitment, retention, and advancement. This session will explore the complex dynamics that shape inclusion in academic spaces, drawing on research and practice in workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The discussion will address critical questions such as:

  • How do we dismantle barriers that marginalize Indigenous, racialized, and other historically excluded groups in academia?
  • What strategies can shift academic culture from performative commitments to sustained accountability?
  • How can equity initiatives be measured for meaningful impact rather than optics?

About the Speaker

Eddy Ng Headshot

Eddy Ng is a scholar in organizational behaviour and a recognized authority on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. He is the Smith Professor in Equity & Inclusion in Business at Queen’s University, where his research focuses on leveraging diversity for organizational competitiveness. His work has been supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. He has authored and edited eight books and published over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. According to Stanford/Elsevier rankings, his scholarly impact places him among the top 2% of most-cited scientists globally. His work has been featured in popular media outlets across North America and internationally, including CBC, CTV, Global News, the Globe and Mail, Financial Post, ABC News, BBC Worklife, CBS News, The Guardian, NPR, Vox, the Wall Street Journal, and The Walrus. He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal and Co-Editor of Personnel Review. He is also Past Chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Division of the Academy of Management. Before entering academia, Dr. Ng gained industry experience at TD Bank Financial Group, where he held roles in Commercial Banking, Corporate Audit, Domestic Planning, and Group Human Resources at the head office in Toronto.

Tracy Johnson-Myers

Tracy Johnson-Myers

Tracy Johnson-Myers

Special Projects Officer

Tracy is an equity and inclusion scholar-practitioner currently serving as the Special Projects Officer in the Human Rights and Equity Office (HREO) at Queen’s University. In this role, she leads strategic initiatives that advance Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism (I-EDIAA) across the institution. Her portfolio includes oversight of the university’s commitments to the Scarborough Charter, coordination of the Dimensions EDI Charter and management of the HREO Student Ambassador Program.

Tracy holds a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies and has previously served as a Political Science Professor at The University of the West Indies (Jamaica) and as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University. She has an established research and publication record on gender, human rights, and Black political leadership. Her scholarship is complemented by deep experience in community engagement, strategic planning, and cross-institutional collaboration.

Sarah Lavigne

Sarah Lavigne

Sarah Lavigne

Case Management and Student Advisor

Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Services

Sarah Lavigne joined the office in 2025 bringing 10 years of community social service experience working in a variety of client facing roles. Sarah serves as the main source of support and case management for students who have been impacted by sexual violence. Sarah works from a trauma-informed, client- centered approach drawing on years of experience working with survivors. Sarah has a BA in English from the University of Ottawa and completed her Social Service Worker Diploma from St. Lawrence College. 

Rebecca Rappeport

Rebecca Rappeport

Rebecca Rappeport

Education and Outreach Coordinator

she/her

Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Services

Rebecca joined the Human Rights and Equity Office in 2022, bringing over 15 years of community development expertise to her role as the SVPR Education and Outreach Coordinator. As a central figure in sexual violence prevention and response education, Rebecca plays a vital role in supporting students affected by sexual violence. With a B.A. in International Development focused on Gender from the University of Guelph and an M.A. in International Affairs from NPSIA, where she specialized in sexual violence prevention in development contexts, Rebecca is deeply committed to her work. Her approach is rooted in intersectionality and anti-oppression, drawing on extensive experience in sexual violence prevention, survivor support, reproductive health, and youth advocacy. Rebecca's dedication to advancing innovative, evidence-based prevention and awareness education is at the heart of her contributions to the HREO and the community she serves. 

Barb Lotan

Barb Lotan

Barb Lotan

Manager, Sexual Violence Prevention and Response

she/her

Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Services

Barb has 30+ years of experience working with survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence. Her experience has included opportunities to work with survivors in criminal legal, health care and education contexts. Barb joined the Human Rights and Equity Office in May 2016. She holds the role of Manager, Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Services.  

In that role, Barb oversees the activities of the SVPR Services team, consults and advises with campus and community partners on policy and protocols and contributes to campus and community conversations on best practices in SV response, education and training. Barb also supports students who have experienced sexual violence and intimate partner violence. With the SVPRS team, Barb provides information about supports and services available, complaint options, academic considerations and accommodations and makes referrals to appropriate support services and agencies. She is an active member of the Kingston Anti-Violence Advisory Committee and the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Anti-Human Trafficking Working Group.
  
Barb hold a BA.H. in Psychology and Criminology from Carleton University and studied at the M.A. level at St. Paul’s University in the Conflict Studies program. 

Kate Brothers

Kate Brothers

Kate Brothers

Accessibility Coordinator

Equity & Accessibility Services

Kate Brothers joined the HREO in 2025 as Accessibility Coordinator. In this role, she coordinates compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), develops accessibility-related policy and programming, manages the university’s Accessibility Hub, has led institution-wide initiatives focused on advancing accessibility, and supports strategic planning through projects and committee work.

Kate holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Concordia University and a Masters in Library and Information Science (MLIS) with a specialization in Archives from McGill University. She is currently pursuing a Professional M.Ed from Queen's.

Outside of her institutional work, Kate is an advocate for systemic change in higher education, presenting on topics such as Generative AI and accessibility and disability-inclusive pedagogy. Her first peer-reviewed publication in an edited volume is forthcoming.

Ana Chuc Gamboa

Ana Chuc Gamboa

Ana Chuc Gamboa

Equity Advisor

Equity & Accessibility Services

Ana Chuc Gamboa joined the Office in May 2024, assuming the role of Special Projects Officer. In her current capacity, Ana conducts in-depth research on human rights cases, crafts comprehensive case summaries, shapes equity policies and collaborates on various initiatives in employment equity. She is deeply committed to fostering a community where human dignity is both acknowledged and respected. Ana’s academic journey includes completing her doctoral and post-doctoral research on the intricate interplay between human rights and trade at Queen's University. She holds a master’s degree in International Law, a master’s degree in Constitutional Law, and a Bachelor of Laws.

Nilani Loganathan

Nilani Loganathan

Nilani Loganathan

(Acting) Associate Director, Human Rights and Anti-Racism

Human Rights Advisory Services

Nilani Loganathan joined the Office in 2019 as a Human Rights Advisor. Nilani supports students, staff and faculty at Queen’s by working with them to effectively address human rights- and equity-related concerns using a client-led and anti-oppressive approach. Nilani has completed a Bachelor’s degree in Political Studies and International Development Studies and has previously worked to advocate for international members of the Queen’s community.

Jermaine Marshall

Jermaine Marshall

Jermaine Marshall

Inclusion and Anti-Racism Advisor

Human Rights Advisory Services

Jermaine is a proud queer Jamaican immigrant who joined the office in 2021, bringing with him a wealth of cross cultural legal and professional skills. 

After graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the West Indies and a Master of Arts in Social Justice and Equity Studies from Brock U, Jermaine worked passionately across the public and private sector in Canada to increase organizational capacities in responding to complex socio-legal issues and changing inter-cultural landscapes. 

Jermaine now serves as a central point of contact at Queen’s for students, staff and faculty who wish to access human rights related policy advising as well as resources and supports designed to cater to diverse campus community needs. He also continues his work in fostering the development of supportive institutional initiatives as the Project Manager at Queen’s, for the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Higher Education.

Tammy Parr

Tammy Parr

Tammy Parr

Intake and Administrative Assistant

Tammy joined Queen’s University in 2006, in November 2024 she began a new role in the Human Rights and Equity Office. She brings a wealth of historical and administrative knowledge to this role and is excited to be a part of this team. Tammy is the first point of contact in the office and serves as the liaison with other departments. Tammy provides support to the HREO team in various capacities in addition to providing intake services to students and staff.