Join us in congratulating the recipients of the CU-CUASA Special Fund for EDI Research and Pedagogical Innovation.
The CU-CUASA Special Fund for EDI Research and Pedagogical Innovation supports and enhances research excellence and pedagogical innovation across Carleton undertaken by members of equity-deserving groups and/or on topics that hold equity, diversity and inclusion considerations as a dominant focus.
We are proud to recognize:
Azrieli School of Architecture & UrbanismFaculty of Engineering and Design
Community Engaged Architecture: Post Occupancy StudyThis project will examine the post-occupancy stage of 1700SPOT, a community-engaged design-build project in Russell Heights, Ottawa—a racialized neighbourhood facing over-policing and neglect. Developed with the Architecture Action Lab and residents, 1700SPOT fosters youth well-being through multifunctional public spaces, including a community kitchen, a youth house and outdoor amenities. Using participatory methods, Menna will investigate the social impact of community-led design in transforming urban spaces, youth belonging in this over police and racialized community.
Equitable Rivers Ottawa: Collaboratively, Imagining and Designing Accessible WaterfrontsCan we design a more equitable National Capitol Riverfront to welcome people whose access to water recreation is restricted by physical design? Catherine is leading the Equitable Rivers Ottawa project, conducting research to design truly accessible waterfront sites. This work with the Ottawa Disability Coalition will reimagine the Rideau Riverfront, while training architecture and urbanism students to understand design and engagement within more inclusive frameworks.
Sprott School of Business
Unseen Journeys: Uncovering the Workplace Experiences of Employees and Leaders who have Children with DisabilitiesThe unique realities of employees raising children with disabilities remains a facet of workplace diversity and inclusion that is not well understood. Using two studies, Angela’s investigation will consider this workforce cohort. Study One will use interviews with parents to explore how workplace leaders can better support them. Study Two will use surveys to learn more about the experiences of leaders themselves and how raising a child with a disability may impact their leadership behaviours.
Can AI be Trained to Mitigate Bias in Mentorship Programs for Women in Technology?Nusa’s project explores if AI-driven systems can be trained to reduce gender bias in mentorship programs within technology sectors where women face persistent barriers to advancement. In collaboration with Prosfata, an AI-powered mentorship platform, The project will explore AI’s potential to improve equity by refining bias-detection algorithms and mentor-mentee pairing criteria with the aim to generate actionable insights into AI’s capabilities and limitations in promoting equity within mentorship programs.
Law and Legal StudiesFaculty of Public and Global Affairs
A Critical Examination of Provincial, Territorial, and Federal Correctional Jurisdictions’ Compliance with Human Rights Protections for Gender Identity and ExpressionSince 2015, several Canadian correctional jurisdictions have developed policies intended to comply with human rights protections for gender identity and expression. In this project, William will collect a comprehensive corpus of documents through Access to Information and Freedom of Information mechanisms. Complementing interviews William previously conducted in federal prisons, these documents will trace if and how provincial, territorial and federal correctional systems have responded to their rights obligations towards incarcerated gender diverse persons.
Mechanical & Aerospace EngineeringFaculty of Engineering and Design
Novel Wheelchair Reclining System for Hospital Emergency RoomsIn this research, Xiao will design, construct and demonstrate a working prototype of a reclined wheelchair and localized receptor for emergency room (ER) usage. This combination will allow wheelchair users to rest in a reclined position during an extended wait in the ER. More specifically, the project proposes to develop a design and manufacturing procedure to enable an economical, small footprint wheelchair to recline and rest on a receptor under special circumstances.
FrenchFaculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Fostering Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity in Higher Education French Second Language textbooksIt is well-documented that Higher Education French Teaching and Learning materials are not concerned with the idea of Decolonization of the Syllabus as they lack an inclusive approach and show little regard for equity and diversity. Frenand’s project aims to create an experiential, decolonized French as a Second Language textbook for Higher Education in Canada, incorporating Black, Indigenous, Feminist and Queer perspectives, while promoting inclusive language to better reflect gender, sexual and cultural diversity.
Social WorkFaculty of Public and Global Affairs
“Until all of us have made it”: Assessing Course Design for Political Knowledge, Political Engagement and Commitment to Social JusticeThis project will assess student experiences of (and engagement in) a re-design of SOWK3100: Social Policy and Administration with the aim to improve student understanding of the policy experiences of their future clients, especially those who, as members of marginalized populations, are often discriminated against by policy. Beth will develop innovative teaching approaches integrating gamification that are inclusive of all students. Assessment will compare the current and redeveloped versions of the course.
Sociology and AnthropologyFaculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Work Permit but Not Protection: The Mahsa Amini PolicyThe "Mahsa Amini" policy (introduced in February 2023) allows Iranian nationals to extend their temporary stay in Canada by moving between various temporary residency streams. Concerned by the human cost of long-term non-citizenship, this study uses longitudinal qualitative interviews and government documents and statistics to examine the medium and long-term impacts of prolonged temporary residencies on Iranian nationals who apply to the Mahsa Amini policy.
Biology; Biochemistry Faculty of Science
Enhancing Equity Across Science Courses – How Much Does Classroom Climate and Sense of Belonging Matter in Promoting Success for Equity Deserving Groups?The literature on persistence and achievement in STEM reveals a consistent pattern of decreased retention and success amongst EDI-seeking groups. Iain’s project intends to survey students across the faculty of science during their first two years of university, to quantify their sense of belonging and perceptions of classroom climate according to demographic group. These data will be compared to student cognitive outcomes and assessment strategies to identify characteristics of learning activities and environments that address inequities.
NeuroscienceFaculty of Science
Prioritizing Women’s Mental Health Research: Assessing the Impact of Hormone Contraceptive UseMillions of young women take hormone contraceptives, however, there is lack of evidence on how these medications affect women’s brains, bodies and mental health. Robyn’s project will determine the mood and biological implications of hormone contraceptives among young women and address an important equity issue, that there is a substantial gender gap in our knowledge on women’s health and investing in women’s mental health research will improve mental health for all.