Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence at UBC

We acknowledge that UBC’s campuses are situated on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territories of the xwməθkwəyˇəm (Musqueam), Skwxwu7mesh (Squamish), səlˇilwəta? (Tsleil-Waututh) and the Syilx Okanagan Nation.

Equity, diversity and inclusion are necessary conditions for attracting and retaining the best and brightest students, faculty and staff from around the world. This requires that we create inclusive environments free from racism in which to work, learn and live. 

Diversity makes us stronger. It enhances innovation and increases the complexity of our knowledge. With that knowledge, we can transform systems of oppression and injustice, and support emerging leaders to help shape not only our campuses but workplaces, communities and the broader society.

This website provides one accountability mechanism for UBC’s efforts. It is a call to action for all community members to confront hatred, oppression, violence and injustice and to support and elevate those who are traditionally, systemically and historically marginalized.

---

Our commitments and implementation approach

In June 2020, Santa Ono, UBC’s President at the time, reaffirmed our institutional commitment to inclusion and called for the acceleration and intensification of our efforts to build a more inclusive campus. We must all enhance our efforts to:

• Implement the Inclusion Action Plan
• Diversify our students, faculty and staff
• Support and provide resources for identity-based spaces and organizations
• Recruit, retain and support Black students, faculty and staff
• Provide training and education on anti-racism

In October 2022, UBC launched the Strategic Equity and Anti-racism (StEAR) Framework to guide our approach to a more comprehensive, cohesive, and coordinated implementation of equity and anti-racism priorities.

Using the framework, the Equity & Inclusion Office reviewed UBC’s existing equity, diversity and inclusion-related plans and reports to identify salient objectives and strategic actions to be implemented over the next three to five years. These objectives and action now constitute the StEAR Roadmap for Change launched in June of 2023.

---

Leadership

Executive Co-Leads

Dr. Ainsley Carry, Vice-President Students, and Dr. Rehan Sadiq, Provost and Vice-President Academic, UBC Okanagan, are the Co-Executive Leads for Anti-Racism. As senior administrators, they will provide a critical bridge between the UBC executive, the Task Force on Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence, and our Indigenous, Black and People of Colour (IBPOC) community members.

---

Implementation Lead

Dr. Arig al Shaibah, Associate Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion, provides leadership to implement equity and anti-racism priorities across the university.

---

Advisors

Senior Advisors to the President and the Provost provide expert advice and counsel on matters related to their area of expertise.

---