Challenges of Being a New PI
Many people consider the field of academia to operate under a pure meritocracy – that is, your accomplishments and qualifications are the only factors that dictate your eventual success. This...
Strategies to Promote EDI in STEM (A UofT Perspective)
The University of Toronto (UofT) has had a long-standing commitment to promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) to ensure a safe and respectful working environment for their staff and students...
Who Writes Science?
A Commentary on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Canadian and American Scientific Institutions Recent world events have popularized the catchphrase equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). The University of Toronto defines...
Immigration Tug-of-War: Assessing Canada’s Fight to Attract Highly Skilled STEM Workers
In both Canada and the U.S., immigrants comprise a large proportion of university-educated workers who have at least a bachelor’s degree in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) field....
Religion’s Influence on the University – A Look Back in History
Religion and faith are an integral part of many people’s lives and have shaped the modern world. Christianity largely influenced western society as this religion was practiced by the majority...
The Curious Case of the Vanishing Borders: A Look at International Partnerships in Science
It will likely not come as much of a surprise to most of us that international collaborations and partnerships in science continue to increase as globalization and technology advances. Whether...
Social Inequalities and Determinants in Science
Although science aims to understand biological processes, which have implications in designing therapeutics and/or treatments, have you ever stopped to consider why a particular topic is chosen to be researched...
The Life and Legacy of Dr. Abdus Salam: Pakistan’s First Nobel Laureate
Donning a dark sherwani and khusas, a white shalwar and a turban on his head, Dr Salam was described by one of his colleagues as an “oriental prince” as he...
Lost in Translation
Presenting at virtual meetings has become the norm during the COVID-19 pandemic for science researchers, although it can be disconcerting to experience. Digital platforms may inadvertently obscure important physical cues...