Our Mandate

The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE) leads initiatives that engage and advance inclusive leadership and participation, helping to realize the vision of the Faculty’s Academic Plan. It also reinforces supports to meet the legislative responsibilities to the Ontario Human Rights Code, Bill 166 and AODA to foster healthy and respectful learning and working environments.

We support KPE students, faculty, staff and alumni to embed and sustain the principles of transformative inclusivity into all of our spaces, operations and educational, physical activity and sport programs. 

Building on a Strong Foundation

The Faculty has a strong tradition of engaging with equity, diversity and inclusion in its programs, research and services. 

From offering women-only options in our co-curricular programs to access programs for Black and Indigenous youth to pulling community members together to develop the seminal recommendations of our Task Force on Race and Indigeneity, the Faculty has long been committed to enabling accessibility, reconciliation, inclusivity and belonging for all.

Our researchers extend that commitment to transformative inclusivity through their work, investigating everything from the ways that gender, racial and household disparities contribute to a lack of access to sports for youth to developing evidence-based guidelines and interventions, like the concussion surveillance tool for Special Olympics athletes.

KPE's Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion continues this tradition, centralizing staff with EDI-specific roles and supporting equity-related initiatives throughout all areas of the Faculty. 

The EDI team promotes a culture of community belonging by offering education, engagement opportunities and pathways for providing feedback to further equitable systems change. 

Our Service Areas

Education

  • We develop and deliver foundational training and sessions on equity principles and practices to students and staff 
  • We work collaboratively with faculty leaders to ensure the values and guiding principles of the Academic Plan are embedded
  • We also liaise with KPE teams, the U of T Institutional Equity Office, divisional Equity leads and University partners, welcoming and incorporating expertise available

Community Outreach

  • We maintain positive and reciprocal relationships with KPE students, staff, faculty and alumni and develop opportunities to bring groups together for collaborative learning and professional development.
  • We also lead community observances and celebrations that highlight the achievement and success of our diverse communities
  • We support opportunities for connection with underrepresented communities external to the Faculty
  • We maintain strong working connections with equity offices at the University supporting the Faculty and University’s mission for inclusive excellence

Consultation

  • We offer strategic advice to leadership, consultation and support to staff and students on issues of diversity and equity 
  • We’re available to assist teams and units in developing, implementing and sustaining intentional initiatives that promote the values of community and inclusion across KPE
  • We are available to faculty members for consultation on equity, diversity and inclusion issues that may arise in curriculum

Indigenous Initiatives

  • We support the KPE community in collective work toward reconciliation 
  • We offer culturally informed support for Indigenous students including advising and systems navigation, consultation and assistance to teams developing and implementing Indigenous-focused programming
  • We also work to build the capacity of non-Indigenous community members in addressing the University’s calls to action and the recommendations of KPE’s Task Force on Race and Indigeneity

Concerns

  • We provide a central hub to receive and confidentially respond to questions and concerns from KPE students, staff, faculty and community members. 
  • We also offer information and guidance to assist individuals in informed decision-making and navigation through appropriate pathways in the academic, intercollegiate and physical activity spaces
  • We make referrals to the University’s Institutional Equity Office, HR or other U of T offices as appropriate


Email edi.kpe@utoronto.ca to share your concerns