UBC Applied Science #ShutDownSTEM Statement

Dear Applied Science Community,

I am writing to affirm that UBC Applied Science stands in solidarity with #ShutDownSTEM, #ShutDownAcademia, and #Strike4BlackLives this Wednesday, June 10th. We support colleagues in our Faculty, at UBC and globally who are choosing to participate in the #ShutDownSTEM initiative: 

"As members of the global academic and STEM communities, we have an enormous ethical obligation to stop doing “business as usual.” No matter where we physically live, we impact and are impacted by this moment in history.”

“This moment calls for profound and meaningful change. #ShutDownAcademia and #ShutDownSTEM is the time for white and non-Black People of Color (NBPOC) to not only educate themselves, but to define a detailed plan of action to carry forward. Wednesday June 10, 2020 will mark the day that we transition into a lifelong commitment of actions to eradicate anti-Black racism in academia and STEM.”

How UBC Applied Science is taking action:

• The UBC Applied Science dean, associate deans, heads and directors will dedicate time to meet this Wednesday, June 10th, and commit to concrete actions our Faculty will take to eradicate systemic racism.
• Further, we will plan to hear from you, to convene a forum for our community - students, faculty, staff and alumni - to share your experiences, specifically with anti-Black racism, as well as other forms of racism and discrimination within our Faculty, at UBC and beyond. 
• We will create an anonymous feedback reporting resource for students, staff and faculty to report issues of mistreatment.
• We will expand our outreach efforts to underrepresented and marginalized communities to provide equitable access to education and support. 
• We will continue to provide additional opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to learn about and engage respectfully with anti-racism initiatives.

How you can learn and support change from within:

• Join a virtual panel on Anti-racism in Engineering Education on Tuesday June 16th at 11AM, organized by the American Society of Engineering Education. 
• Review shutdownSTEM.com resources on racism in all aspects of academia, from education, to admissions, to hiring.
• Watch ”Exposing Anti-Black Racism in Vancouver with Shelby McPhee” (5 part series), hosted by UBC Centre for Culture, Identity and Education.  
• Watch TEDx Talks to Help Educate on Racism and Actions to Eliminate It.
• Join the virtual engagement with Eternity Martis as she discusses her book They Said This Would Be Fun: Race, Campus Life and Growing Up, organized by the UBC Ignite Book Club.

In recognition of this day, I encourage you to learn, reflect, and take individual and collective action against racism and discrimination. This is one step of many that we need to take to create an inclusive STEM community. 

Sincerely,

James

James Olson  PhD, P.Eng., FCAE
Dean, Faculty of Applied Science