Our obligations extend to redressing historical and ongoing systemic inequalities among our citizenry
Continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) are integral to Dalhousie’s vision, mission, actions, culture, and how we interact with one another on a daily basis. We remain committed to the success of our African Nova Scotian communities, and to reconciliation with Canada’s First Peoples, especially the Mi’kmaq on whose lands we are privileged to share.
High-impact research
Seeking solutions to gaps in the publishing industry
Promise Scholar Morgan Paul contributes to scholarship on Indigenous Data Sovereignty, the right of Indigenous People to own, control, access, and steward data about their communities, lands and culture. Read the Dal News story about this work on data sovereignty.
Research reveals rise in seniors, people with non‑acute medical issues being left at emergency departments — especially during the holidays
Dr. Mah and colleagues have interviewed health-care workers and administrators about the cases at a Halifax hospital, and are also speaking with patients and their families about how they ended up in emergency departments and what might be done in the community to prevent that. Read the Dal News story about research into seniors left at the ER.
Community first: Dal researchers work with African Nova Scotian and Mi’kmaq communities to get it right from the start
Dalhousie School of Social Work professor Nancy Ross's project will be led by four African Nova Scotian community members to examine systemic racism in health care and social services. A second project is a partnership with the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) co-led by School for Resource and Environmental Studies professor Melanie Zurba. The projects are made possible by SSHRC’s Race, Gender and Diversity Initiative. Read the Dal News story about this collaborative research work.
Dal scholar named CIHR Applied Public Health Chair, to investigate inequity in COVID interventions
Matthew Herder, director of Dal's Health Law Institute, aims to interrogate how various laws, policies, and practices have limited access to COVID-19 vaccines and other important interventions in many parts of the world. His project will investigate how the current approach to innovation creates sources of inequity depending on the part of the world you live in. Read the Dal News story about research into COVID internentions.
Avoiding the services ‘cliff’: New research looks at improving the transition to adulthood for people with developmental disabilities
Working closely with individuals who have developmental disabilities, their families, clinicians and other health professionals, Dr. Ghanouni will look for ways to streamline, maintain and enhance access to programs to support these young people as they transition to adulthood. Read about this research in Faculty of Health news.
Exceptional student experience
Indigenous student advisor blends traditional and modern approaches
Moving onto campus is a big step for many students, but it can be even bigger for Indigenous students, especially those coming from smaller, tight-knit communities. The Indigenous Student Centre allows students to ease into the new school year by not overloading them with programs and events right away. Read the Dal News story about student advising at the Indigenous Student Centre.
New Dal major uncovers long‑hidden Black experience in Canada and beyond
A new Black and African Diaspora Studies major introduced at Dalhousie this fall offers students an expansive interdisciplinary program exploring the previously overlooked historical, societal, and cultural dimensions of African Canadian life and the broader global Black world. Read the Dal News story about the launch of Black and African Diaspora Studies.
New Social Work Cohort for Black/African Nova Scotian Students
Nova Scotia is investing in training to help address under-representation of Black/African Nova Scotians in the social work field and ease pressures on the healthcare and social service systems. Through the Africentric bachelor of social work pilot cohort program at Dalhousie University, 25 aspiring bachelor of social work professionals can learn as part of an Africentric cohort. Read the press release about the new social work cohort.
New pathway program to grow number of Indigenous students entering Dal undergraduate medical studies
Led by Dr. Brent Young, Academic Director for Indigenous Health, and supported by Keknu’tmasiek Welo’ltimk (pronounced: gag-new-d-muss-seeg well-oh-l-dim-k, a Mi’kmaw phrase that translates to “We Learn Healing”) Program Manager Ms. Hannah Asprey, this new admissions pathway will minimize the barriers that have prevented Indigenous applicants from entering medical school at Dalhousie. Read the Dal News story about the medical school admissions pathway.
Dalhousie hires first advisor to support 2SLGBTQ+ students
The 2SLGBTQ+ advisor provides a variety of supports and services that include one-on-one advising, university-wide programming and events, referrals to gender-affirming care, navigating name or gender marker changes, and much more. Read the Dal News story aobu the new 2SLGBTQ+ advisor.
Working towards a barrier-free Dalhousie!
The Student Accessibility Centre (Halifax) and the Student Success Centre (Truro) are Dalhousie’s centres of expertise on student access, inclusion, and accommodation support. We work collaboratively with Dalhousie and King's students, faculty, and staff to create an inclusive educational environment for students. The Centre is responsible for administering the university-wide Student Accommodation Policy working across all programs and faculties.
Dalhousie medical school appoints first academic director for Black health
Dr. Jones is advising on undergraduate curriculum and provides advice to the Dean of Dalhousie Medical School and the Associate Dean of Serving and Engaging Society on matters related to the health and wellbeing of African Nova Scotian and Black communities. Read the Dal News story about the first academic director for Black health.
African Nova Scotian students uncover powerful new perspectives abroad
The program, piloted last year with a trip to Zambia, gives students a chance to travel to places where Black people are the majority population — an experience that could be transformative for some. Read the Dal News story about the trip to Zambia.
Schulich School of Law introduces first mandatory course on African Nova Scotian legal history and issues
Dalhousie's Schulich School of Law has launched its first mandatory course on African Nova Scotian Legal History & Issues and Critical Race Theory (ANS/CRT) that all first-year law students will take. The course is part of developing a more inclusive curriculum and addressing systemic anti-Black racism in the law and legal education. Read the Dal News story about the School of Law course.
Civic university with global impact
Celebrating Dalhousie's annual Mawio'mi
First held in 2009, the Mawio'mi has become a signature event in the university's Mi'kmaw History Month celebrations each October. The event features Mi'kmaw dance, craft, food and culture and brings Indigenous and non-Indigenous folks together for a full day of sharing, learning, and festivities. Explore photos that capture some of the sights at Dal's 14th Mawio'mi.
Schulich Law professor wins Nova Scotia Human Rights Award for advocacy work
Sheila Wildeman, an associate professor in the Schulich School of Law, received an Individual Nova Scotia Human Rights Award last Friday for her advocacy for the human rights of incarcerated people and people with disabilities. Read the Dal News story about Dr. Wildeman's work.
Slavery conference keynote exposes Made in Canada stories of segregation — and the visionaries who pushed back
International scholars, professors, and media had assembled at the Universities Studying Slavery (USS) conference to hear Dr. Sylvia D. Hamilton speak at the luncheon keynote address. The conference, hosted by Dalhousie, the University of King’s College and the Black Cultural Centre, was the first USS gathering to be held outside of the United States. Read the Dal News story about the conference.
First symposium supporting Black Canadian STEM education
This week marks the first of many symposiums by the Department of Canadian Heritage and Dalhousie University in their three-year project to support Black Canadian education. Past/Future: African Canadian History, Arts and Culture in STEM Education in Canada is the first symposium of its kind in Canada. The hope is to support educators in bridging boundaries for Black learners. Read the Dal News story about the Black Canadian STEW symposium.
Foundation for inclusion and distinction
Dal deepens ties with Indigenous peoples by setting up physical office in Mi'kmaw community
Dal currently offers support for Indigenous students on its campuses in Halifax and Truro. But the new space brings Dal directly into the Millbrook community — a step that should help make the university feel more familiar. Read the Dal News story about Dalhousie's Millbrook office.
A confidential and impartial resource for students
The Ombudsperson Office is committed to educating the community and will endeavour to find ways to work together that recognize and challenge inequalities. The Office is available to all Dalhousie students for free, confidential, impartial, and independent support to help resolve any university-related concerns.
Office of Equity and Inclusion
Human Rights and Equity Services is pleased to offer some of our diversity and inclusion related workshops to the Dalhousie community. These open sessions will create opportunities for discussion, growth and community engagement.
Employment Equity
Employment Equity is a program designed to ensure that all job applicants and employees have a fair chance in the workplace. Dalhousie's Employment Equity Policy establishes the university’s commitment to employment equity and outlines how employment equity will be implemented throughout the university.
Dalhousie University Accessibility Plan
The Dalhousie University Accessibility Plan acknowledges the imperative to make Dalhousie fully accessible by removing barriers to education, employment, and research. We are committed to the work required to achieve this goal for our community.
Looking back in order to move forward
The Lord Dalhousie Scholarly Panel on Slavery and Race was established to examine the university's history with regard to slavery and race and recommend actions Dalhousie could take in response. Dalhousie University acknowledges our dual responsibility to address the legacies of anti-Black racism and slavery, while continuing to stand against anti-Black racism today. Read the full report.