Lead: Lucia Quesada-RamÃrez
Team members (past and present): Nafeesa Alibhai, Kenzie Arnott, Tanio Calabrese, Alexandria Dupont, Ayse Erdogan, Xingyu Fan, Christine Goedhart, Pam Kalas, Marissa Lithopoulos, David Ng, Anne-Sophie Sack, William Stewart, Ashleigh Willis, Ryan Wong
Audience: Workplace environments, but especially well suited for academia related workplaces.
Cost: Free (internally) – resources free to doanload
EDI Workshops
If there is interest in learning more about these workshop resources, please reach out to Lucia at lucia.quesada-ramirez@msl.ubc.ca
Workshop 1: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Basics
This lesson plan provides instruction for running the introductory Equity Diversity and Inclusion Basics workshop. It is meant to introduce core concepts around equity through two interactive and hands-on activities. The first activity, Build a Mobile, is meant to get participants thinking about access to resources and resulting impacts. The second activity, Identity mapping, is meant to get participants thinking about identities, biases and how these affect how we interact with the world around us. The two activities are followed by reflection questions meant to start thoughtful and meaningful discussion, and then by definitions of relevant concepts.
Time and Notes: 1-1.5 hrs depending on number of participants, and participation levels. Although not required, it is recommended this workshop is presented as the first one of the series. Two facilitators recommended. It is advised at least one of the facilitators has strong familiarity with the concepts that will be introduced.
Workshop 2: Building Queer and Trans Inclusive Spaces
This lesson plan provides instruction for running the EDI workshop Building Queer and Trans Inclusive Spaces. Relevant terminology around sex, gender and queer spaces will be introduced. This will be followed by an activity to get participants thinking about this terminology and how it fits current gender paradigms. Next some historical context, as well as common barriers LGBTQ people and scientists face will be covered. The workshop will conclude with some everyday scenarios queer people face, and the audience will be asked some follow-up reflection questions about these.
Time and Notes: 1-1.5 hrs depending on number of participants, and participation levels. Two facilitators recommended. At least one of the facilitators should have lived experience as a queer person. Two to four volunteers are required to act out the scenarios. The scenarios can be tailored for the audience (i.e. non-STEM/lab audiences) as long as the main idea behind them is kept.
Workshop 3: Disability Inclusion
This lesson plan provides instruction for running the EDI workshop Disability Inclusion. Relevant terminology around disability and accessibility will be introduced. This will be followed by a description of the Centre for Workplace Accessibility and the Stay at Work/Return to Work Programs offered at UBC. Next a video outlining the connection between social justice and disability, as well as the topics of ableism and different disability models will be covered. There will be an activity introducing the concept of Spoon Theory and encouraging participants to put themselves in the shoes of someone with an energy-limiting disability. The workshop will conclude with a case study, and the audience will be asked some follow-up reflection questions about this.
Time and Notes: 1.5-2 hrs depending on number of participants, and participation levels. Two facilitators recommended. At least one of the facilitators should have lived experience as a disabled person. It is highly recommended to have someone from the Centre for Workplace Accessibility as one of the facilitators.
Workshop 4: Microaggressions
This lesson plan provides instruction for running the EDI workshop Microaggressions. Relevant terminology around microaggressions and protected characteristics will be introduced. This will be followed by an explanation and an analogy on why microaggressions are harmful. There will be a video that illustrates the cumulative impact of microaggressions. Next, how to repair after committing a microaggression will be covered. The workshop will conclude with some everyday scenarios that portray microaggressions, and the audience will be asked some follow-up reflection questions about these.
Time and Notes: Approximately 1 hr-1.5 hrs, depending on number of participants, and participation levels. One facilitator required, two facilitators recommended. Two to four people are required to act out the scenarios. The scenarios can be tailored for the audience (i.e. non-STEM/lab audiences) as long as the main idea behind them is kept.
EDI Card Game
AMBL is creating a card game that facilitates EDI discussion in a group setting. This is mostly through the use of “Issue” cards, which are then contemplated and suggest action cards are utilized. From there, the group can discuss why they chose certain actions in an attempt to explore the issue further. This game is currently in beta mode, but should be available in fall of 2026. Note that the lab is also working on some lesson plan templates to highlight how this game could be used in a classroom setting.
