This workshop will introduce equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) concepts, present rationales for pursuing them, and review current EDI gaps in academia at large as well as at the University of Toronto. We will discuss potential etiology of these gaps, including unconscious bias and lack of transparency. Finally, we will discuss strategies for moving the needle toward a more meritocratic academia both on an individual and on a structural level, thus providing examples of how existing practices may be adjusted/changed to bolster diversity and inclusion. The talk will be followed by discussions, within smaller groups, of scenarios based on real world events from the academia.

Dr. Bojana Stefanovic

• Director and Senior Scientist, Physical Sciences, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
• Professor, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto
• Canada Research Chair in Neuroimaging, Tier 1

Dr. Bojana Stefanovic is a Senior Scientist, CRC Tier 1 in Functional Brain Neuroimaging and Director of Physical Sciences at Sunnybrook Research Institute, and a Professor in the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto. Dr. Stefanovic’s research focuses on the development of new methods for quantitative in vivo imaging of brain function. Her research interests include the development and application of in vivo high field functional MRI, two-photon fluorescence microscopy, and extracellular recordings for tracking functional deficits in cellular components of the neurovascular unit over the course of neurodegeneration in transgenic models of Alzheimer’s Disease and during chronic stage of recovery in rodent models of focal ischemia and traumatic brain injury. Dr. Stefanovic is the Chair of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee in the Department of Medical Biophysics.

Dr. Isabelle Aubert

• Senior scientist, Biological Sciences, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
• Professor, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

Dr. Isabelle Aubert is a Senior Scientist at Sunnybrook Research Institute, CRC Tier 1 in Brain Repair and Regeneration, Director of the Brain Repair Group at Sunnybrook Research Institute, a Professor in the department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto, and a member of the Centre of Excellence in Focused Ultrasound at Sunnybrook. Her collaborative research programs aim at developing therapies for neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).At the University of Toronto in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Dr. Aubert is the inaugural Equity, Diversity and Inclusion officer.

The webinar link will be emailed to you two days before the event. If you do not receive an email from us, please contact us at mentalhealth@utgsu.ca.