This research group operates under three core values: Safety, Respect and Professionalism. All members of our group uphold and champion these values and support other group members in upholding these values as well.

Safety

  • Maintain an environment free from all forms of bullying and discrimination, including microaggressions

  • Maintain an environment free from sexual violence and sexual harassment

  • Respect the privacy and personal boundaries of others

  • Complete and continually update all laboratory and field safety training

  • Adhere to safe practices in the field and laboratory

Respect

  • Create a safe space that welcomes and supports people of all backgrounds and identities.

  • Actively identify and remove barriers to accessibility

  • Respect names and pronouns

  • Treat all community members with the same level of courtesy, politeness, kindness, professionalism, and respect, regardless of their role or level of seniority

  • Be respectful and kind when giving feedback, and thoughtful and open in receiving it

  • Support a respectful space for individuals to participate in challenging, constructive, and critical dialogue and scientific debate

Professionalism

  • Communicate openly, regularly, and collaboratively about mutual expectations for performance, responsibilities, and behavior in the laboratory and broader community

  • Ensure community members receive equal support and access to opportunities

  • Accept responsibility for mistakes and make changes to address them

  • Respect community members’ time by being punctual and prepared

  • Care for communal spaces by keeping them organized and clean

  • Respect the principles of research integrity, confidentiality, and intellectual property

  • Adhere to best practices in responsible data management

  • Strive for open access science when disseminating research

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We wish to acknowledge this land on which the University of Toronto operates. For thousands of years, it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are truly grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.

In addition, we acknowledge the colonial roots of science. We will strive to connect with Indigenous communities that might be impacted by our research, or on whose traditional land we may wish to conduct research. We will also strive to approach research and teaching from different perspectives, acknowledging that there are multiple ways of knowing. We commit to acting on U of T’s Answering the Call Wecheehetowin Final Report.

RESOURCES

Accessibility

Accessibility Services at UTM is there to help you navigate on-going or temporary disability-related barriers. Some services provided include accessibility advisor support, disability-related extensions, adaptive technologist and learning strategist support, and financial support. For a full list of programs and services, visit this link. Graduate students may find support for accessibility needs through the School of Graduate Studies Designated Accessibility Advisor.

Centre for Graduate Professional Development (CGPD)

CGPD works as a hub for graduate students’ professional development needs and is available to students in all three campuses (link).

Centre for Graduate Mentorship and Supervision (CGMS)

CGMS supports successful mentorship and supervisory relationships using a unique person-centered, solution-oriented approach (link).

Community Safety Office

Follow this link if you are require immediate assistance relating to your mental health, personal safety or sexual violence and harassment

The Graduate Student Union and CUPE 3902

University of Toronto Graduate Student’s Union (UTGSU) Main Page includes information about funding and insurance which may be helpful. If you are uncomfortable bringing your issue to a member of CPS, you can also contact the UTGSU for confidential advice and advocacy services: UTGSU Advocacy Information.  They can also help connect you to mental health supports: UTGSU Mental Health Support. Specific resources for TAs can be found with CUPE 3902.CUPE Funding provided to assist members of the union including: Trans Fund, Sexual Assault Survivor Support Fund, Black and Indigenous Racism Fund,

EDI in Research and Innovation (EDIRI)

The Committee on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research and Innovation provides the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, and Strategic Initiatives, with counsel and direction on matters related to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within the University of Toronto’s research and innovation enterprise. The Committee works in collaboration with the Divisions of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation; the Vice-President, Human Resources & Equity; and the Vice-President & Provost to provide coordinated guidance on EDI efforts related to research and innovation. Follow this link to find out more.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Office

The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Office (EDIO) is a campus service for all UTM community members (students, staff, faculty, and librarians). The office facilitates equity, Indigenous, and human rights related programming, training, community engagement opportunities, and systemic change initiatives. Follow this link to find out more.

Employee and Family Assistance Program

EFAP offers confidential short–term counselling, coaching, information, and support for all types of issues relating to mental health, health management, and achieving greater personal and workplace well-being (link).

Health & Counselling Centre

For any information regarding your health or if you are in need of counselling, please visit the Health and Counselling Centre’s website.

Health and Wellness by Student Life

Health and Wellness by Student Life provides assistance with a range of tools including appointments with a variety of clinicians, access to necessary health forms, mental health support, immunizations, sexual and reproductive health consultations, nutrition counselling and education, skills-building workshops and group therapy. Follow this link to the website.

The Healthy Labs Initiative

In recognition of the vital importance of healthy laboratory environments for student and faculty success, U of T produced the Promoting a Healthy Lab Culture at the University of Toronto Report. This report provides advice and makes recommendations on lab management best practices. Follow up work is planned to offer certification for labs with healthy environments.

Indigenous Centre

The Indigenous Centre at the University of Toronto Mississauga works to support Indigenous students, staff and faculty at UTM as well as inspire future Indigenous students to a welcoming and inclusive UTM community. The Indigenous Centre works to promote equity and inclusion of Indigenous people among students, staff, and faculty and throughout the campus. Follow this link to find out more.

Interfaith & Spirituality

University of Toronto provides facilities for members of all faith communities to practice their religion, their traditions and rituals and is accommodating a diversity of faith-based and spiritual practices. These are various spaces across all three campuses. If you are a Ulife recognized student organization, you are able to book space at UTM that can be used as a spiritual gathering place. Follow this link to find out more.

Mental Health Supports Website

If you are in crisis, one place to start is: The 24/7 Peel Crisis support line: 905-278-9036. My Student Support Program (MySSP) provides students with real-time and/or appointment-based confidential, 24-hour support for any school, health, or general life concern at no cost to you. You can call or chat with a counsellor directly from your phone whenever, wherever you are. U of T MySSP is available 24/7 at 1-844-451-9700. For more information, visit their website. The UTM Office of Student Affairs and Services has created a website to assist students, faculty, and staff to find the appropriate wellness resources and connect with meaningful forms of support. Visit their website for more information. The Sexual Violence and Prevention and Support Centre also has collected a number of helplines to find support including helplines including: Trans Life Line (877-330-6366), LGBT Youthline (800-268-9688), Hope 24/7: Sexual Assault Centre of Peel (800-810-0180), Info & Referral Services for Male Survivors of Sexual Violence (866-887-0015), First Nations, Inuit and Metis Hope and Wellness Line (855-242-3310) and many others. More information about the Sexual Violence and Prevention Support Centre can be found here.

Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre

RGASC offers several programs for graduate students looking to advance their academic and non-academic skills. Examples of available support include writing support for grant applications, research proposals, thesis, presentation skills, dossier, etc. via one-on-one meeting with a writing instructor, writing group, and workshops that are relevant to your graduate study. They also host annual Graduate Professional Development Conference (GPDC)! More information can be found on their website.

Sexual and Gender Diversity Office

The Sexual & Gender Diversity Office (SGDO) develops partnerships to build supportive learning and working communities at the University of Toronto by working towards equity and challenging discrimination. This office can help with issues like a need to change your name for email and other U of T identifications. Here are useful resources on 2SLGBTQ+ terms and pronouns published by SGDO.

Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre

SVPSC offers confidential, non-judgmental, client-centred services to U of T members who have been affected by sexual violence or sexual harassment. They help you understand, access and navigate supports such as counselling, medical services, academic or workplace accommodations, financial aid and legal aid. The Centre also works to end sexual violence on campus through training and education. To get support and to learn more about the centre’s trainings and workshops, visit their website.

UTM Campus Safety

905-569-4333 or follow this link to report any suspicious activity or 905-828-5200 for general inquiries.

Work Alone Program

If you work alone or in an isolated area of the campus, consider registering with this program and receive regular check-ins from UTM police officers. To sign up, either stop by the UTM Campus Police office in DV3116 or call 905-828-5200.

WalkSafer Program

If you prefer not to walk alone on campus (day or night), WalkSafer escorts will walk you to your destination. To register, contact WalkSafer at 905-607-SAFE (7233).