Memorial University’s Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-AR) is a senior leader responsible for the execution of Memorial’s goals and objectives for equity, diversity inclusion and anti-racism as articulated in its various frameworks, including the strategic frameworks for Indigenization, Teaching and Learning, Research and Public Engagement.

The Vice-Provost, EDI-AR, provides strategic direction and builds strong relationships and credibility with senior administrative, academic and student leaders across Memorial, and with the broader community, working collaboratively to advance institutional equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism goals and to foster diverse, inclusive and equitable learning and working environments, as well as a culture of respect, free from harassment, discrimination and violence. 

The vice-provost takes the lead in making or maintaining university-wide institutional changes that are fully inclusive and that open otherwise-limited access to equity-seeking groups, while enabling full engagement. Specifically, the vice-provost works to support the following areas at Memorial from an EDI-AR perspective:

• Admissions and student success.
• Recruitment and success of faculty and staff.
• Teaching and research.
• Organizational systems.
• Capacity building.

Fostering a culture of EDI-AR at Memorial is an institutional imperative. Transforming the structural barriers that create an exclusionary environment involves overcoming practices of stigma and bias, sidelining or isolation and exclusion based on gender identity, gender expression, sexuality, race, ethnicity, disability status, socioeconomic status, age or Indigeneity specifically, in recognition of the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, as well as any intersections amongst all these identities.

Operational Priorities

The current operational priorities of the Office of the Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism are:

• The development and implementation of an Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Strategic Plan for Memorial University.
• The development and implementation of an overarching Human Rights Policy for Memorial University.
• The upholding of Memorial's commitments as a signatory to the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion.
• The completion of data acquisition projects, including a student census across Memorial's campuses.

Transforming Our Horizons

Memorial University’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism is reflected at the institutional level in our strategic plan Transforming Our Horizons. Memorial University's upcoming Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Strategic Plan, which is currently in development, will complement Transforming Our Horizons and enhance outcomes related to its five strategic theme areas, all through an EDI-AR lens:

• Proactive Programs.
• Inspired Learning.
• Dynamic Research.
• Commitment to Communities.
• Promotion and Pride.

Pan-University Collaboration

We collaborate across all campuses to advance EDI-AR initiatives:

• Labrador Campus in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, N.L.
• Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook, N.L.
• Marine Institute in Harlow, U.K.
• Signal Hill Campus in St. John's, N.L.
• St. John's Campus in St. John's, N.L.
• Harlow Campus in Harlow, U.K.