Addressing Ableism in Academia – Oct. 2, 2025

Session Description

Join the Centre for Research & Innovation Support (CRIS) for a workshop that explores the critical issues of ableism—the discrimination or prejudice against people with disabilities-within academic research environments and advances strategies for inclusive change. 

This session provides an opportunity for researchers, including those with lived experiences of disability and those working with team members with disabilities, to explore how ableism impacts academic institutions and research teams. It will also provide opportunities for researchers to situate themselves in this context as research team leaders and people with intersectional identities and unpack key concepts such as an ethics of care and universal design to establish paths toward leading inclusive, accessible research teams.  

The session begins with a panel where researchers will share insights on navigating ableism and inclusion within academic contexts. A discussion will follow, where participants will collectively explore and identify strategies, practices, and supports that foster inclusive research team environments where individuals of all abilities can thrive, drawing from personal reflection, team experiences, and panel insights. Where appropriate, the ideas generated may be incorporated into the CRIS Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research: Environments and Team Cultures guide for the broader University of Toronto community. Join us for this opportunity to share experiences, gain valuable insights, and create practical approaches for supporting accessibility within academic research teams.  

This is the second session in a series focused on enhancing leadership and personal effectiveness for researchers. You can watch the recording of the previous session: Navigating Caregiving as a Researcher in Academia (March 5, 2025). 

Speakers:

• Terry Gardiner, Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education 
• Tanya Titchkosky, Professor of Disability Studies, Department of Social Justice Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
• Chavon Niles, Assistant Professor, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Temerty Faculty of Medicine 

Intended audience: Researchers interested in building inclusive research teams and developing inclusive practices, and those with lived experiences of disability.