草莓污视频导航

May 28, 2020

Inaugural vice-provost equity, diversity and inclusion earns Susan S. Northcutt Award

Malinda Smith joins 草莓污视频导航 Aug. 1
Malinda Smith
Malinda Smith

草莓污视频导航鈥檚 inaugural vice-provost equity, diversity and inclusion Dr. Malinda Smith, PhD, will be responsible for leading on issues of human rights, diversity, inclusion and equity with stakeholders across campus when she begins her role on Aug.听1. She is a nationally recognized leader on equity, diversity and inclusion and this past month her work in the field has earned her the Susan S. Northcutt Award.

鈥淚 firmly believe that the goals of equity and inclusion can only be advanced through team effort 鈥斕齟ach team member has valuable perspectives to offer and responsibilities to pull their weight. For me, the award recognizes my efforts but, more, it recognizes years of working with many others to effect sustainable change. The adage that you see me because I am standing on the shoulders of often-invisible giants applies to me and, I suspect, most of us in the academy,鈥 says Smith.

  • Photo above: Malinda Smith. Photo听by Amber Bracken, University of Alberta

The was established in 2003 by the Women's Caucus for International Studies of the International Studies Association. The award recognizes a person who actively works toward听recruiting and advancing women and other minorities in the profession, and whose spirit is inclusive, generous and conscientious. It also听acknowledges听someone who has made significant contributions through service and competence to the field of international studies and to the International Studies Association.

Smith鈥檚 work has been focused on developing and advancing an intersectional and decolonial approach to equity praxis, one that insists we pay greater attention to 鈥榯he doing鈥 of equity and decolonization, and on data, documentation, transparency and accountability to assess real change.

Some of her career highlights that led to the award include designing and decolonizing content in course syllabi, promoting for diversity in and citational practices, and mindfulness about equitable student supervision and mentoring.听She is also co-founder of the Race, Ethnicity, Indigenous Peoples and Politics section of the Canadian Political Science Association, and served as for the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Most recently, she served as the in the Office of the Provost at the University of Alberta, and continues to serve on the Advisory Committee on EDI Policy for the Canada Research Chairs Program.

Smith admits getting an award and moving into a new role during the COVID-19 pandemic comes with mixed feelings but, also, a sense of urgency. 鈥淭he global pandemic has intensified long-standing social inequities and generated new insecurities and vulnerabilities that call out for immediate attention and more effective policy and action,"听she says.

Smith says there is also opportunity in all of this. In her new role, she hopes to build upon the Alberta can-do spirit to help build a 鈥渘ew normal鈥 that is more inclusive, diverse and equitable.

鈥淭hroughout this pandemic we have been reminded that this is a historic moment, a defining moment. I see this moment as a challenge, to be sure, but also as an opportunity to advance shared values听and more healthy and sustainable communities.

"Universities have a critical role to play in this process of reimaging what is essential, possible, and desirable as we together emerge from this crisis.鈥