Expanding equitable representation in Canadian higher education leadership

January 28, 2021

Image credit: Tracy J. Lee for NPR

Canadian universities and colleges are considered to be institutions that hold and advance knowledge within our communities. Tied to their mission, institutions of higher education are expected to develop and graduate individuals who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed in their careers and contribute as global citizens. Who advances and succeeds within the academy tends to reflect the identities and values that do not necessarily reflect the wider community. Overwhelming, those who are represented at the upper levels of leadership in our higher education institutions remain male and White (Smith & Bray, 2019).

There have been growing efforts to increase diversity and inclusion within Canadian post-secondary education (PSE). Beyond merely being counted and meeting quotas, efforts are being made to address equity-related gaps, such as through identity- and subject-based cluster hiring of faculty, and training and development programs (Henry, 2012; McMaster University, 2020; OCAD University, 2020). But there is still much work to be done to address systemic barriers faced by those who do not fit the traditional mould of our institutions. Acknowledging the shifting landscape and current challenges for Canadian PSE, what barriers and unique challenges are present…