Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Awards

Nominations deadline is February 20, 2024

The KPU Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Awards will celebrate members of the KPU community who demonstrate outstanding commitment, innovation, and leadership in working towards intersectional social justice, dismantling systemic barriers, and building a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion at and around KPU. Presented annually, JEDI Awards will recognize the achievements and promote the efforts of KPU employees and students dedicated to ensuring the full participation of historically excluded and systemically oppressed groups in the life of the university and society more broadly.

Eligibility

  • All current KPU employees and students (as of nomination date)
  • Individuals and/or groups (groups are defined as two or more people; may be in different types of positions)
  • While formal units, work teams, and individual nominees with social justice and EDI-related responsibilities are eligible, their relevant contributions must be exceptionally noteworthy to be considered
  • Prior awardees are not eligible for an award in the same position (i.e. employee group/student) or category (individual/group) or for substantially the same work in the three (3) years following the first award

Structure

  • Up to five (5) awards will typically be given out each year
  • No restriction on the distribution of awards, but the selection committee will endeavor to recognize a significant range of KPU community members, types of achievements, and areas of impact

Criteria

The selection of recipients will consider the following:

  • Impact in identifying and dismantling barriers to, and enabling the full participation of, historically excluded and systemically oppressed groups in the university community and beyond
  • Achievement of material improvements in access by, support for, and the experience of KPU students, employees, and community members who are racialized, Indigenous, LGBTQ2+, gender diverse, persons with disabilities, and/or women, including intersectional identities.
  • Impact in advancing KPU's EDI, antiracism, and social justice-related objectives as outlined in Vision 2023, HR 15 Diversity and Inclusiveness Policy and Procedures, Task Force on Antiracism mandate, and further relevant policies and documents, e.g. Dimensions Charter (*see below for further details)
  • Sustainability and long-term transformative impact of actions and achievements
  • Demonstration of an in-depth, intersectional understanding of how addressing systemic inequity, discrimination and exclusion achieves social and cultural change
  • Relevant actions may take a variety of forms, e.g.
    • Creation and/or sharing of knowledge, including (but not limited to) the development and delivery of curriculum, pedagogical approaches, experiential learning opportunities, and other forms of research and scholarship
    • Advocacy, support, and service work with individuals and/or groups of people, at KPU and/or in community
    • Development, enhancement, and/or enactment of programs, processes, practices and/or policies
    • Organization of awareness, informational, and/or activist campaigns and events

*Sample relevant passages

Sample relevant passages include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Vision 2023: to provide "an inclusive and safe learning and working environment that values, supports and benefits from the diversity of all its people" and "where people are treated with dignity and respect"; to "transform lives and empower positive change"; to "reflect[] and serv[e] our diverse, dynamic and growing region"
  • HR15: to "provide an environment and climate for study, work and participation that . . . ensures that people of all origins and social identities:
    • have an equal opportunity to obtain employment and advancement within the University;
    • receive equitable treatment and protection under University policies and practices;
    • have equal opportunity to enroll in the University, at an appropriate level;
    • have full and equitable participation in the continual evolution and shaping of the University and assists them in the elimination of barriers to such participation. . . ."

Nominations

  • Nominations are welcome from current KPU students and employees, except for members of the Selection Committee
  • Self-nominations will not be considered
  • Nominee must accept nomination/ consent to consideration and associated processes

Nomination Package

  • Max. 750-word statement by nominator outlining nominee's relevant activities and achievements
  • Up to three (3) letters of support (max. 500 words each), ideally from a diverse range of KPU community members and reflecting the range of the nominee's impact
  • Max. 100-word summary (for potential publicity/posting purposes)
  • Supporting documents should connect actions and achievements to award criteria and relevant documents; if a group is nominated, each group member's role/contributions should be highlighted

Selection Advisory Committee

  • 4-5 members, appointed by the President, approved by the President's Diversity and Equity Committee
  • Director of Diversity to chair
  • Minimum one faculty member, one staff member, one administrator, one student
  • Diverse representation, including at least 3 individuals from various historically excluded groups (racialized/ persons of colour, Indigenous peoples, LGBTQ2+/gender diverse people, persons with disabilities, women)
  • Maximum 2 year terms
  • Committee to advise President, who notifies recipients

Timelines

  • Nominations for 2024 to open December 10, 2023 (International Human Rights Day)
  • Nominations for 2024 to close February 20, 2024 (World Social Justice Day)
  • Recipients announced and celebrated at KPU Day

Award

  • Certificate of recognition
  • Profile in a living digital archive accessible via the PDEC webpage