A new certificate is available for 快播视频 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to enhance knowledge and practical skills in decolonizing, equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (DEDIA).
The certificate is designed to help grad students apply DEDIA principles to academic work, research, teaching and professional settings.
Co-created by the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion (CHREI), the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Teaching Commons, the program uses a mix of self-guided learning, workshops and applied practice.
The goal, says Cheryl van Daalen-Smith, associate dean academic, Faculty of Graduate Studies, is to strengthen students鈥 abilities to foster inclusive learning and working environments and to develop equity-focused leadership skills within higher education and beyond.
鈥淭his certificate will encourage graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to strengthen their scholarship while at York and provide career-ready insights for reflective and justice-oriented work,鈥 says van Daalen-Smith.
Titled Graduate Student Certificate in Decolonization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility, the certificate program is now accepting registrations. Oliver Martin, director of workplace restoration and culture at CHREI, says the learning opportunity reflects the University鈥檚 ongoing commitment to embed DEDIA principles into the everyday work of York graduate students. He also notes its timely launch, which takes place during the University鈥檚 Inclusion Week.
Structured to be flexible, students can earn the certificate in as little as one semester or spread out over three years. All required and optional learning activities are tracked through YU Learn and students who complete the requirements will earn a digital certificate.
Requirements include: a five-module self-paced DEDIA Self-Reflective Toolkit; the Do the Work: Dialogue Across Differences workshop; and two additional self-selected workshops focused on research, teaching, bystander intervention or responding to disclosures. The programming builds on core competencies in critical self-reflection, inclusive communication, trauma-informed practice, equity-focused research and community building.
Focusing on hands-on learning, the curriculum is designed to help graduate students stay grounded, communicate effectively and act with care during moments of conflict, tension and create opportunity for an equity-based approach. Participants, says van Daalen-Smith, will practice real-world skills that go beyond theory and apply across sectors and can equip students with career-ready insights and practices.
She notes the certificate was inspired by the FGS Council 2023 Nothing Less Than Justice roundtables, where members of the graduate community shared candid insights and recommendations to advance DEDIA within the graduate community.
Martin adds that earning this certification will help participants build confidence, accountability and develop people-centred skills 鈥 and engage at a pace that fits their needs.
鈥淏y offering flexibility and combining independent learning with applied, skill-based training, we are setting our graduate students up for success in integrating decolonizing, equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility into day-to-day practice,鈥 says Martin.
Learn more about the DEDIA Graduate Certificate.