As a part of Brock’s continual journey and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, the University will be rolling out an Equity Census, which will help inform the development of an Employee Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

The Equity Census, which will be anonymous, will be open to all students, faculty and staff, and will provide an important snapshot of the makeup of the Brock community.

Following the Equity Census, the strategy will help identify, and work to remove, barriers in Brock’s existing employment practices and workplace culture, and aid the institution in advancing equity, diversity and inclusion with regard to employment.

To assist in the development of the census and the strategy, Brock employees are invited to join one or more of several focus groups being held in the coming months.

Focus groups will be geared towards understanding the unique experiences of both staff and faculty. In alignment with Brock’s strategic priority of fostering a culture of inclusivity, accessibility, reconciliation and decolonization, the University has organized open focus groups as well as identity-specific focus groups that faculty and staff can self-select to participate in.

The following focus groups are planned for faculty/professional librarians and staff

• Open to all staff — Aug. 29, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Open to all faculty — Aug. 21, 2 to 3 p.m.
• Persons with disabilities (staff) — Aug. 22, 10 to 11 a.m.
• Persons with disabilities (faculty) — Aug. 22, noon to 1 p.m.
• Members of First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities (staff) — To be rescheduled
• Members of First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities (faculty) — Aug. 24, 2 to 3 p.m.
• Members of Black communities (staff) — Sept. 15, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Members of Black communities (faculty) — Sept. 15, 2 to 3 p.m.
• People from racialized communities (faculty) — Sept. 18, 11 a.m. to noon
• People from racialized communities (staff) — Aug. 31, 11 a.m. to noon
• Women (faculty) — Sept. 19, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
• Women (staff) — Aug. 30, 10 to 11 a.m.
• Members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities (staff) — Sept. 20, 10 to 11 a.m.
• Members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities (faculty) — Sept. 20, 2 to 3 p.m.

To sign up for one or multiple focus groups, please visit the Equity Census web page by Friday, Aug. 18.

Participants will be contacted directly with meeting details by consultants MNP, and interview guides will be sent in advance of the focus group sessions. What is shared with MNP will remain anonymous and confidential.

More information on the Equity Census will be provided in the coming weeks.