International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) Impact Awards

The IDERD Impact Awards recognizes and profiles the excellent work that University students, staff, faculty, chaplains and librarians undertake to advance antiracism initiatives and manifests the University’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion into action.

Student Leadership Award

Open to students or student groups only

Profiles a University student or student group’s demonstrated leadership in advancing anti-racism, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the University of Toronto through activism, community engagement, and/or research.

Administration Leadership Award

Open to non-academic employees

Profiles a non-academic employee or staff group (committees, working groups, advisory councils, affinity groups etc.) who go above and beyond their duties to create pathways, engage in mentorship and cultivate community spaces for Indigenous and or racialized employees at the University of Toronto.

Academic & Research Award

Open to faculty member or faculty member groups or research teams only

Profiles a member of faculty or faculty member groups or research teams that contribute meaningfully to enhancing the lives and experiences of Indigenous and racialized communities; profiles a faculty member whose pedagogy embodies the principles of antiracism.

Strategic Innovation Initiatives Award

Open to any University affiliated community member – students, staff, librarians and faculty

Profiles an individual or group who has led or provided significant contributions in one or more of the following areas within the University of Toronto or the external community:

• Strategic policy development implemented to contribute to racially equitable, diverse and inclusive environments at the University of Toronto or in the community.
• Programs and/or campaigns that address a systemic barrier and/or increase access to underrepresented groups at the University of Toronto or in the community.
• Innovative initiatives in antiracism implemented in a particular field of study at the University of Toronto and/or in the community

Faith, Anti-racism & Change Award

Open to any University affiliated community member – students, staff, chaplains, librarians and faculty

Profiles an individual member or group that provides leadership and programming of initiatives that support freedom of religious expression and racialized communities at the University of Toronto or in the community.

Nomination Criteria:

Nominations should demonstrate how the candidates align with the following (where applicable):

• Initiative: The nominee(s) spearheads one or more initiatives (e.g. project, event, research, group, revival of a group, etc.) in the area of antiracism, equity, diversity and inclusion
• Commitment: The nominee(s) engages in one or more pan-university committee, student group, or initiative that focuses on antiracism, equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Communications & Advocacy: The nominee(s) demonstrates strong advocacy skills for a antiracism, equity, diversity, and inclusion (e.g. written articles, conducted speeches, written course papers, presented at conferences, social media participation, etc.)
• Collaboration: The nominee(s) builds an array of relationships and networks around a antiracism, equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Change: The results of this person or group’s activities have led to a change in policy or procedures, increased engagement or awareness, or has otherwise benefited/improved community substantively in the area of racial equity, and inclusion
• Research: The nominee(s) contributes to advancing antiracism initiatives for Indigenous and racialized communities in a particular field
• Pedagogy: The nominees(s) leadership in the learning environment allows for multiple ways of knowing to be explored in the classroom, demonstrates their understanding that racial identities matters, and is reflected in their teaching style and curriculum.

 

All nominees must be a student, staff, librarians, chaplain or faculty member at the University of Toronto. Nominations for team or individual awards must be submitted via our online form. The Selection Committee will review all submitted nominations, and may then ask for further details. All nomination materials will remain confidential.

Nominations should describe in detail the specific contribution(s) that the staff, student, librarians, faculty member or chaplain has made in the area of anti-racism work at the University of Toronto and/or the broader external community.

The letter of nomination must come from a current Faculty member, librarian, chaplain, staff member, or student from the University of Toronto. In addition to the letter of nomination, two supporting letters must be included with the nomination (one of which must come from a person affiliated with the University of Toronto).

You can nominate yourself for an award.

Helpful Tips for Completing the Letter of Nomination:

In completing the nomination submission please:

• Be specific – give examples and the details of what your candidate or team has done that meets the selection criteria. Every candidate will not exhibit all of the award-winning characteristics, but you should provide evidence of those demonstrated by your candidate
• Avoid general statements such as: “the nominee has a pleasant personality,” “the nominee is a seasoned professional,” or “the nominee is always helpful.”
• Include as much qualitative and quantitative information as you can about the nominee’s work and contributions
• If you are nominating a team or group, be sure to list all members and describe how they work collaboratively, demonstrate their commitment to further antiracist work at the University of Toronto and or within the broader community. The nomination statement should explain the importance of team effort to the group’s overall success.

Award Prizing:

Award recipients will receive an IDERD Certificate of Recognition and a prize from the University of Toronto. In addition, recipients will also see their efforts showcased on various communication channels across the university.

Deadline for Application:

Applications for the 2020 IDERD Impact Awards have closed.

For more details about this award, email antiracism@utoronto.ca