Students at Laval University are calling for the removal of eligibility criteria that bar white men from positions in Canadian research chairs.
“We denounce that there is a problem of discrimination in research and the solution currently being used to address this problem is more discrimination. It’s a zero-sum game, it shouldn’t exist.”
“Above all, the people here are the elite. It’s the scientific research elite, so before it’s white, black, female, straight, it’s people who are experts, and that’s what matters most. I think it’s reductive.”
In this letter we denounce several criteria that are considered discriminatory, but also suggest some possible solutions.
In particular, Mr Brouillard mentions a student association that conducts “an annual review of the various underrepresented groups” and the use of the anonymous CV, which consists in omitting identifying information.
According to these students, the means they propose are “more advanced” than those of the Université Laval.
For its part, the institution has responded and specified: “The Canada Research Chairs (CRC) are subject to the equity, diversity and inclusion requirements and practices of the program (CRC).
“They are funded by the federal government. All universities must meet these requirements. (…) Laval University affirms that Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are very high values for the institution.”