Health Research BC envisions a health research system that advances equity by removing barriers to participation; promotes diversity by recognizing the underserved and underrepresented; and enables inclusion by supporting cultural change that allows for meaningful inclusion of all peoples.
We know that EDI in research strengthens the quality and impacts of health research, drives discovery and innovation, and contributes to more equitable health outcomes.
Our commitments to EDI guide our actions to address systemic racism and discrimination within the health research system experienced by equity-deserving groups, including but not limited to, racialized people, women, people with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community. They align with national efforts to advance EDI in research, including the Tri-Agency Statement on EDI and EDI action plan (2018-2025), and CIHR’s Accessibility Action plan.
We are actively embedding actions into how we work and engage across BC’s health research system in three core areas: our organization, our research programs, and external relations and partnerships.
Our organization
We’re working to create a culture where our staff, board, and advisory members feel they belong and respected, so that they can fully participate as their authentic selves. A recent internal EDI review of our policies, processes, and communications is helping shape an action plan to better embed EDI principles in all areas of our work.
Research programs
We’re continuously working to make our programs more fair, inclusive, and welcoming. That means making sure the people we fund, support, and work with reflect the diversity of BC as much as possible . We actively address barriers to accessing our funding, resources and opportunities — including in peer and ethics review, clinical trials, patient-oriented research, and knowledge translation. Our team regularly collects and reviews EDI data from applicants, supervisors, collaborators and peer reviewers to inform ongoing improvements. Learn more about EDI in our funding programs.
External relations and partnerships
We continue to partner with provincial, national, and international research institutions and agencies on initiatives that address systemic inequities. We use our position to actively promote and support equity, diversity, and inclusion within the health research system.
For more information, please contact:
Maija Tiesmaki, Director, Strategy at info@healthresearchbc.ca.