Invitation to Participate in Research Study on EDI in STEM

Good morning/afternoon,

My name is Candice Harris, and I am a Graduate Researcher in the Department of Neuroscience at Carleton University working under the supervision of Dr. Natalina Salmaso and Dr. Rowan Thomson. I am writing to invite you to participate in a research study that examines STEM professionals’ readiness to engage with EDI.

Study Purpose & Participation:

This study explores attitudes, experiences, and barriers related to EDI within STEM disciplines. We invite faculty members, postdocs, graduate students, and departmental heads in the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Engineering and Design to complete an online pre-screening survey (~ 1 min) and a demographic and EDI survey (~15–20 minutes). Participants who complete the EDI survey will be eligible for a chance to win a $50 gift card.

Confidentiality, Data Handling, & Withdrawal:

Participation is voluntary. All research data will be securely stored (password-protected) with access limited to the research team. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, and should you choose to do so, all data you have provided will be removed from the study.

Potential Risks and Discomforts:

Some questions in this study may touch on equity and inclusion-related experiences. While these topics are important, they may be emotionally difficult for individuals who have been personally affected by such issues. You are free to skip any question or withdraw from the study at any time without penalty.

Ethics Clearance:

This research has been approved by the Carleton University Research Ethics Board (Clearance # 123249). If you have any ethical concerns, please contact the Carleton University Research Ethics Board at ethics@carleton.ca or call 613-520-2600 ext. 2517.

Participation & Contact Information:

To participate, please click the following link to determine your eligibility:

Pre-screening questionnaire Link: https://carletonu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eFeKkY8Ao818u10

If you have any questions or require further information, feel free to contact me at candiceharris@cmail.carleton.ca. You may also reach out to the project supervisors listed below:

Natalina Salmaso – natalinasalmaso@cunet.carleton.ca

Rowan Thomson – rthomson@physics.carleton.ca

Please feel free to share this invitation with colleagues or graduate-level students within the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Engineering and Design at Carleton University. Your insights will help us develop a valuable tool for improving EDI efforts in STEM.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Kind Regards,

Candice Harris
Graduate Researcher | Department of Neuroscience
Carleton University