Complementary (Co-curricular Learning Experiences

Creative Destruction Lab – Vancouver (CDL-Vancouver)

The CDL Apprentice Program is designed to address the gender gap in STEM-related fields by providing an online, multi-module program for those who identify as women (14-18 years old) with a keen interest in STEM-related topics and how science and technology is transforming the world. CDL-Vancouver hosted the health stream and other universities covered subject areas such as AI, AgTech (agriculture technology), Climate, Matter and Oceans. CDL-Vancouver is partnering with Material Change Institute, a new non-profit building a capital ecosystem that provides diverse representation and equal access to broaden investments. The partnership matches Material Change Institute fellows with CDL-Vancouver’s network of experienced mentors to drive impact. Peter P. Dhillon Centre for Business Ethics

In November 2021, the Dhillon Centre and Decision Insights for Business & Society (DIBS) co-hosted a research talk entitled Applying Behavioural Insights to Cultivate Diversity and Inclusion with Sonia Kang, Associate Professor of Organizational Behaviour and HR Management at the University of Toronto, and Canada Research Chair in Identity, Diversity, and Inclusion. In February 2022, the Dhillon Centre and Ch’nook Indigenous Business Education at UBC Sauder co-hosted The ‘I’ in ESG: Indigenous Approaches to ESG Investing, with Mark Podlasly, Director of Economic Policy and Initiatives at the First Nations Major Projects Coalition, and Adjunct Professor at UBC Sauder School of Business. During the period April 2021 to March 2022, the Centre also hosted five events. In all cases, care was taken to ensure a diversity of business leaders were chosen as speakers and panelists. In addition, the Centre awarded three “Business for Social Good” Grants for diversity-focused research. More on this grant is noted under the Inclusive Research Section on page 24.

UBC Sauder Leadership, Innovation, Fundamentals, and Training (LIFT)

UBC Sauder LIFT (formerly known as Sauder Social Entrepreneurship), is a program that transcends international borders to deliver essential business tools to a classroom of aspiring entrepreneurs. Each year, UBC students lead a four-week business training program for underprivileged youth in Kibera and Mathare – two of the largest informal communities in Nairobi, Kenya. This year, UBC Sauder LIFT partnered with One Girl Can to train a cohort of 32 Kenyan women entrepreneurs, empowering them to advance their careers. UBC Sauder LIFT also expanded its program to Accra, Ghana with the help of UBC Sauder’s Master of Business Administration students. The UBC Sauder LIFT team has members from a diverse composition of backgrounds, with 74% women and 26% men as of May 2022. UBC students partaking in the program are exposed to a unique opportunity to learn about other cultures, witness the growth of a business, and the impact education has on economic development at a granular level. Since UBC Sauder LIFT’s inception in 2006, the program has served 800 aspiring Kenyan entrepreneurs and continues to expand to other African countries.

3. Inclusive Research

Several UBC Sauder initiatives have supported the goals of enhancing and encouraging faculty and student research on topics specifically linked to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. These initiatives include the UBC Sauder EDI Research Catalyst Grant, Peter P. Dhillon Centre for Business Ethics Business for Social Good Grant, Montalbano Centre for Responsible Leadership Grant, and the UBC Sauder Dean’s Exploratory Grant. Across these UBC Funding Sources, 14 unique projects related to EDI have been funded for a total of $79,020. More on some of these initiatives is detailed below:

UBC Sauder EDI Research Catalyst Grant

This year, the Peter P. Dhillon Centre for Business Ethics and the UBC Sauder Dean’s Office launched the UBC Sauder EDI Research Catalyst Grant initiative to encourage and incentivize research specifically focused on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). The purpose of the initiative is to encourage and support UBC Sauder research on topics relevant to EDI and to seed initial research ideas in this domain so that researchers can apply for additional funding. Some examples of funded projects include examining the consequences of allyship behaviours, the disclosure of stigmatized identities at work, perceptions of EDI leadership in organizations, and the best ways to frame diversity training. Peter P. Dhillon Centre for Business Ethics Business for Social Good Grant

This grant supports and encourages research involving graduate students in the domain of business for social good. The goal of this initiative is to support early-stage and innovative research examining how business can be a force for social good. Several projects were funded this year that focused on topics related to EDI including the effectiveness of diversity training, men’s allyship in creating inclusion in STEM workplaces, and encouraging women to participate in entrepreneurship.

Montalbano Centre for Responsible Leadership Grant

The Montalbano Center for Responsible Leadership Development awarded several research grants this year, focused on developing leaders to better manage their own and their organization’s impact on the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. This includes the capacity to address issues regarding equity, diversity, and inclusion, and to develop competencies in self-awareness, systems thinking, stakeholder engagement, and change and innovation, all built on a foundation of one’s inner values and ethics.