Anti-Racism Statement

We are pained by the fact that injustices are unevenly borne, and that certain individuals and groups suffer them disproportionately. As geographers, we recognize that these injustices appear across different places: our Department, the University of Calgary, and also at city, regional, national, and global scales. 

We in the Department of Geography recognize the injustices and inequalities at the University, and we take responsibility for any shortcomings in creating an atmosphere of unconditional inclusion and diversity. As individuals within the Department and as a Department collectively, we will be assessing existing biases (both individually and at an institutional level) so that we can take action for change. We believe in promoting and defending ideas that we hope will make our Department a better place for all individuals and groups, through our research, teaching, mentorship, and advocacy. 

During the past year, we have been in the process of forming the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee in the Department to address the empowerment of those individuals and groups subject to marginalization. During this summer, we will create a plan for concrete items that we can initiate to make our Department and University a better place. During the fall term, we will report back to Department members (students, staff, and faculty) with our ideas and concrete plans for moving forward. We can do better. We will do more as we work towards justice, inclusion, and empowerment for all individuals and groups.