Introduction to the new Socio-Demographic Data Guide for Program Evaluation – Sept. 11 2024

Session Description

Advancing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is one of six core research and innovation values at the University of Toronto. Access to, and appropriate use of, actionable socio-demographic data is critical to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion efforts.  

The Division of the Vice-President Research and Innovation (VPRI) is launching the Socio-Demographic Data Guide for Program Evaluation to facilitate the collection and use of data. The Data Guide is intended to support planning and evaluation of programs that aim to improve or assess commitments to EDI in research and innovation environments.  

In this workshop, you will learn how this guide can help you to navigate through the process of accessing, collecting, managing and reporting socio-demographic data for program evaluation purposes. 

Using different case examples, this workshop will: 

• Provide an overview of guiding principles in the use of socio-demographic data; 
• Demonstrate the various pathways to collecting or attaining socio-demographic data about program or initiative participants including accessing University of Toronto institutional data and collecting new data; and 
• Highlight the considerations in data cleaning, analysis, reporting, storage and disposal. 
• Following the overview and demonstration, there will be an opportunity for Q&A.

Presenters:   

• Barbara Fallon, Associate Vice-President, Research 
• Mariela Ruetalo, Special Project Officer, EDI, Centre for Research & Innovation Support 

Intended audience: Program Administrators who oversee/manage research and innovation programs or initiatives for the University of Toronto research and innovation community.