Dimensions: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Canada

Carleton University is participating in Dimensions: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Canada (Dimensions), an initiative of the Tri-Agency EDI Action Plan led by the Canada Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC).

Dimensions supports transformational change in the research ecosystem at Canadian postsecondary institutions. It aims to identify and remove barriers and inequities affecting undergraduate and graduate students involved in research, postdoctoral fellows and academic and non-academic staff.

Through this work, Dimensions seeks to:

• support equitable access to funding opportunities;
• increase equitable and inclusive participation in the research ecosystem; and
• embed equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) considerations in research design and practices.

Dimensions addresses barriers and discrimination experienced by equity-deserving groups across all disciplines and at Canadian postsecondary institutions, including:

• women and gender-equity-seeking groups;
• Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit and Métis);
• persons with disabilities;
• members of racialized groups; and
• members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

Carleton endorses the Dimensions Charter and adopts its principles designed to achieve greater research excellence, innovation and creativity in higher education through EDI.

Carleton’s Dimensions application comes at an opportune time, as the university’s five-year EDI Action Plan concludes and its progress is reviewed. While Dimensions focuses primarily on the research ecosystem, Carleton will integrate its Dimensions plan with a new university-wide EDI strategic plan.

About the Dimensions Program

The program has two components:

1. Dimensions Charter: Canadian postsecondary institutions are encouraged to endorse the Dimensions Charter as part of their commitment to advancing EDI within their institutions.
2. Dimensions Recognition: Postsecondary institutions can apply for recognition based on the actions they have taken to build the foundations for transformational change and advance EDI within their institutional research culture.

Recognition Stages

The Dimensions recognition program has four stages reflecting an institution’s progress in advancing EDI:

• Stage 1: Foundation
• Stage 2: Construction
• Stage 3: Consolidation
• Stage 4: Transformation

Learn more about the Dimensions recognition stages.

Next Steps at Carleton

The Department of Equity and Inclusive Communities (EIC) is partnering with the Carleton Office for Research Initiatives and Services (CORIS) to establish the Terms of Reference for the Self-Assessment Team that will guide the Dimensions project at Carleton.

Contact the Department of Equity and Inclusive Communities (equity@carleton.ca) for more information.