Nicole Dyck

For me, both SDG 5: Gender equality and SDG 10: Reduced inequalities are central to my work’s focus on intersectionality. I recognize that marginalized identities rarely operate independently of one another. In my equity, inclusion, and diversity work in higher education, much of the research I’ve undertaken reveals the fact that eliminating barriers for women also could have important positive outcomes for other underrepresented groups. Applying an intersectional lens to my research allowed for recommendations to be made that would remove barriers for female, Indigenous, LGBTQ2S+, international, and rural students.

One of the issues currently inspiring me is the under-representation of women in STEM and, in particular, engineering. In Canada, women make up just 21% of engineering undergraduate students and only 18% of professional engineers. Concerted intersectional efforts toward the recruitment and retention of more women in engineering will not only have a positive impact on research, innovation, and education, but also on the profession as a whole by having a population of engineers as diverse as the population they serve.

Get involved in initiatives that matter to you. By embracing opportunities, challenging the status quo, and constantly re-evaluating your own values, you come to appreciate how interconnected many of the world’s issues are and realize where you can effect the most positive change.

• Take the time to identify your unique strengths and how they might be utilized to effect positive change on issues that are important to you.
• Do all you can to create perspective for yourself–identify any conscious or unconscious bias you may bring.
• Immerse yourself as much as you can in an issue by listening to the voices of the populations affected most.