EDI.I, Indigenous Engagment, and Social Impact

Definitions (Refer to UBC Equity & Inclusion glossary of terms for more)

EDI.I: This is an acronym for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion + Indigeneity

Equity: Equity refers to achieving parity in policy, process and outcomes for historically, persistently, or systemically marginalized people and groups while accounting for diversity. It considers power, access, opportunities, treatment, impacts and outcomes, in three main areas:

  • Representational equity: the proportional participation at all levels of an institution;
  • Resource equity: the distribution of resources in order to close equity gaps; and
  • Equity-mindedness: the demonstration of an awareness of, and willingness to, address equity issues.

Diversity: Diversity refers to the differences in people’s social identities and lived experiences and perspectives, which may include race, ethnicity, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion, marital status, family status, physical disability, mental disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, class, and/or socio-economic situations.

Inclusion: Inclusion is an active, intentional, and continuous process to address inequities in power and privilege, and to build a respectful and diverse community that ensures welcoming spaces and opportunities to flourish for all. 

Indigenous: ‘Indigenous’ encompasses First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, either collectively or separately, and is a preferred term in international usage, e.g., the ‘U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.’ In its derivation from international movements, it is associated more with activism than government policy and so has emerged, for many, as the preferred term.

Social Impact: This refers to the net effect an organization, business or project can have on a community’s well-being, which may also address a social challenge or inequity. Areas of social impact include employment, education, physical and mental well-being, physical and emotional safety, social inclusion and connection, housing, social equity, and accessibility.

BIM TOPiCS EDI.I Statement

We are committed to the lifelong journey of learning and taking action to create an environment that is respectful, inclusive, diverse, and equitable. These values are the foundation of our educational and professional practices.

Watch the Engineers & Geoscientists British Columbia’s (EGBC) professional practice guidelines on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

In Engineering, many under-represented and equity-deserving groups have been historically denied equal access and opportunities, including members of Indigenous communities, members of racialized communities, immigrants, refugees, people with disabilities, people with mental and physical health barriers, womxn and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community. These groups face common barriers in STEM research and industry: reduced access to educational opportunities, fewer pathways to leadership roles, lack of a sense of belonging and deserving, and lack of affinity bias. The purpose of equity, diversity and inclusion work is to address the systemic and individual biases that keep these barriers in place.

Read more about structural racism in STEM
Read Sheryl’s research on STEM – Girls are good at STEM: Opening minds and providing evidence reduces boys’ stereotyping of girls’ STEM ability
Read more about diversity in STEM research in the Canadian context

Land and land use are central to the work of civil engineers. We acknowledge that, in British Columbia, it is ancestral, unceded, stolen land that we are working on. We must commit to the practice of honouring this land and the peoples who have traditionally occupied and cared for it. We must also acknowledge that there is a history of colonial violence and dispossession that has impacted both these Peoples and this land, and the legacy of this colonialism persists. Decolonizing civil engineering work and research and engaging meaningfully with the communities whose land we are working on is a path toward addressing this legacy and creating outcomes that benefit these communities.

Read the EGBC’s initiatives in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
Take this introductory course on Truth and Reconciliation on EGBC’s website.

We know that the construction industry has significant impacts on global issues such as the housing crisis and the climate crisis, which are made worse by social inequities. The research we are doing in this industry allows us to better respond to these issues, as innovations in the construction sector lead to buildings that are more resilient, environmentally sustainable, and socially responsible. We know that inclusive and diverse work environments lead to better functioning teams, and better research teams lead to better research outcomes. The diverse perspectives and experiences we bring to our research can lead to innovative solutions and a more equitable industry for all.

Read more about the equity impacts of urban land use.

Watch our current Ph.D. student, Danilo Caron, share insights on integrating Indigenous perspectives into engineering practices on a webinar hosted by Engineers Canada.↡

Fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion within engineering is essential to overcoming historical barriers and creating a more equitable, innovative, and resilient industry. By actively engaging in practices honouring these values, we contribute to better research outcomes, more effective teamwork, and a stronger sense of community.


Our commitment to these principles enhances our professional and educational practices and ensures that the built environment reflects society’s diverse perspectives and needs.