CSM Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) Award

The Adjudication Committee will review all nominee submissions for evidence of outstanding achievement in a practice, event, theoretical or applied research, policy, program, or other activities that foster equitable and impactful change for those who traditionally have been under-represented in medicine and health sciences, including women, persons from racialized communities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, persons with diverse abilities, and persons from 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

The nomination can spotlight ongoing work or a completed initiative that has occurred in the past year. Activities or achievements that fall outside this window, will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Adjudication Committee.

Examples of potential nominations

• An ongoing action, initiative or program that helps students from an equity-deserving group feel welcome and included
• A tool or practice that improves inclusion of an equity-deserving group, such as increased accessibility for people with differing abilities, support for individuals from low socioeconomic groups, or an initiative that is designed to address racism or inequitable health outcomes
• Research in equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility constructs or frameworks that contributes to our understanding and knowledge in this area
• An initiative or action aiming at adapting or changing procedures, policies, or practices to make them fairer or more inclusive 
• Exemplary leadership in fostering an inclusive workplace, learning campus or community of practice  

Nominees must be CSM members.  For a group nomination, the majority of group members OR the lead/co-lead of the group must be a CSM member.  A CSM member is defined as an individual(s) at CSM who is currently (at the time of nomination) or was (up to a year prior to the date of nomination) a:

• Student/learner (including residents, fellows) 
• Faculty member with an academic, clinical, or adjunct appointment 
• Staff (including AUPE, MAPs)
• Postdoctoral scholar
• Department, Institute, Office, or work unit

Nominators are strongly encouraged to submit applications for individuals or groups that include nominees who self-identify with dimension(s) of equity-deserving groups such as women, persons from racialized communities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, persons with diverse abilities, and persons from 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

Award recipients/ongoing projects that have won the CSM EDIA Award in one of the three preceding years are not eligible.

Nominators must be CSM members. Students, faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and CSM units/offices are invited to submit nominations. 

A CSM member is defined as an individual(s) at CSM who is currently (at the time of nomination) or was (up to a year prior to the date of nomination) a:

• Student/learner (including residents, fellows) 
• Faculty with an academic, clinical, or adjunct appointment 
• Staff (including AUPE, MAPs)
• Postdoctoral scholar
• Department, Institute, Office, or work unit

Self-nominations are welcome and self-nominations from individuals of equity-deserving groups are strongly encouraged.  Please include a letter of support that highlights the activities and/or achievements being addressed in the nomination. 

An award winner will be selected by consensus amongst Adjudication Committee Members, using the identified scoring criteria as listed below.

More than one award winner may be selected if one clear award winner cannot be determined.

Adjudication Committee composition will aim to reflect CSM diversity, and consider dimensions such as gender, sexual orientation, racial, Indigenous, and ability diverse identities, in addition to CSM roles (Student, Staff, Faculty), and discipline or home-unit (Office, Department, Institute) in its membership. 

The Committee will be chaired by the Associate Dean, CSM Precision Health and Social Justice Office, or delegate.

Submissions for the CSM EDIA Award will be scored using the following criteria:

• Supports equitable and inclusive learning, teaching, research, and/or working environments at CSM (25%)
• Combats stereotypes or discrimination AND/OR dismantles barriers, structural inequities, or inherent disadvantages AND/OR overcame similar challenges and hurdles to reach its goals (25%)
• Demonstrates innovativeness and/or meaningful impact within CSM, University, or community of practice (25%)
• Demonstrates engagement, collaboration, relationship-building with community partners and/or equity-deserving groups (25%)