CRIW 2026 Ignite! Grant Announcement
The Centre for Research on Inclusion at Work (CRIW) is pleased to officially announce the recipients of 2026’s CRIW Ignite! research grants. This annual competition is designed to advance workplace inclusion by supporting collaborative research projects that align with the Centre’s mission of producing and sharing scholarship on topics of relevance to equity, diversity and inclusion. This year, our grants made up to CAD $30,000 available to fund up to four (4) research projects (maximum value per project $7,500 at the discretion of the adjudication committee). Congratulations to the following recipients!
Beyond Tokenism: Antecedents and Outcomes of Critical Mass of Women on Boards
- Principal Investigator: Dr. Greg J. Sears, Associate Professor, Sprott School of Business, Carleton University
- Co-Investigators: Dr. Tasnuva Chaudhury, Assistant Professor, Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management, University of Regina; Dr. Shasanka Chalise, Assistant Professor, Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management, University of Regina; Endravid (Eddy) Mathy, Student, Master of Human Resource Management, University of Regina
This research investigates the transition from tokenism to a critical mass for women on corporate boards. Grounded in Critical Mass Theory, the study explores why the mere presence of one or two women is often insufficient to shift board dynamics. Using a systematic literature review, this study identifies the factors and outcomes that facilitate a “critical mass” of at least three women –the threshold required to move beyond symbolic inclusion. Our proposed integrative framework will provide practitioners with evidence-based strategies to foster gender diversity and improve governance effectiveness.
A National Survey of Women in Policing
- Principal Investigator: Dr. Kate Dupré, Professor, Department of Psychology, Carleton University
- Co-investigators: Dr. Kirk Luther, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Carleton University; Dr. Angela Dionisi, Associate Professor, Sprott School of Business, Carleton University
This project will conduct a national survey of women police officers and civilian staff in Canada to examine lived experiences in policing and inform organizational transformation toward equity, diversity, and inclusion. This project will produce the first national dataset and explore issues such as 1) policewomen’s perceptions of inclusion within the police service, 2) barriers and facilitators shaping women’s entry into and progression within policing, 3) gender-based mistreatment, organizational responses to such incidents, and women’s experiences reporting misconduct, and 4) work-life balance and the compatibility of policing and caregiving.
NHL Fandom and Attitudes Toward Women in Leadership
- Principal Investigator: Dr. Shani Pupco, Assistant Professor, Sprott School of Business, Carleton University
- Co-investigators: Dr. Angela Dionisi, Associate Professor, Sprott School of Business, Carleton University; Jake Starr, MSc student, Sprott School of Business, Carleton University
We examine whether exposure to men’s professional ice hockey, particularly the NHL, reinforces hegemonic masculinity, shaping negative gender role attitudes and attitudes towards women as leaders. Grounded in social learning theory, this study builds on reactions to the controversy around the gold medal-winning U.S men’s hockey team and surrounding sexist behaviour and discourse that followed their victory. Following the establishment of such a link, we hope to expand our research to identify potential interventions to reduce bias, mitigate any uncovered negative effects of NHL fandom to women’s leadership, and promote more equitable perceptions of women in leadership roles.