EDI stands for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Equity
Equity is recognizing that each person is different and therefore allocating the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.
- Ensuring that everyone is given equal access to resources and opportunities to utilize their skills and talents
- Identifying and removing long-standing, structural barriers to success
- Understanding that people have different levels of disadvantage and privilege
- Recognizing that, because not everyone starts from the same place, treating people equally may not equate to treating everyone the sameEquity is not always Equality as demonstrated below. You wouldn’t expect people of different heights to reach the same shelf without a stool to even the height differences. Similarly, not everyone has the same opportunities or advantages throughout life.
This graph illustrates the difference between equity and equality. However, as a metaphor for building true equity and inclusion in science it is rather lacking. Click here for a more in-depth discussion of these types of graphics or to build your own!
Diversity
The sum of the ways that people are both alike and different. When we recognize, value, and embrace diversity, we are recognizing, valuing, and embracing the uniqueness of each individual.
- Having a diverse community, with people from a broad range of backgrounds represented in all areas and at all levels
Inclusion
An environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully.
- Individuals are valued for their distinctive skills, experiences, and perspectives
- A sense of belonging that is respectful of people for who they are as individuals and within a team
- Feeling supported to enable us to do our best
