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Achieving a culture of Inclusive Excellence

51ÉçÇøºÚÁÏis dedicated to fostering a welcoming, safe and respectful community where everyone feels valued. This requires a shared commitment to academic excellence, inclusion and well-being. We ask all members to contribute by being kind, encouraging open dialogue, and supporting a space where everyone can be themselves. Learn how we make this happen and how you can help.

Updated faculty recruitment guide helps to embed inclusive hiring practices

Faculty Relations and the Equity Office have released a revised faculty recruitment guide that outlines additional information and supports regarding the hiring of Indigenous or Black scholars, or other equity-deserving groups. 51ÉçÇøºÚÁÏfacilitates a faculty recruitment process that is compliant with legal and regulatory frameworks at the provincial and federal level, the Collective Agreement between the university and 51ÉçÇøºÚÁÏ Faculty Association (SFUFA) and university policies. The guidelines were developed in consultations with SFUFA, Faculty Relations and Equity Office staff, Institutional Strategic Awards under the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Indigenous partners as well as members of the Valuing and Measuring Scholarly Impact Committee.

Insights from the report on inclusion experience

The Inclusion Experience Report, released in late June 2025, offers insights from the community’s responses to inclusion experience questions in the Demographic and Diversity Data Survey. Questions focused on perceptions and lived experience of students, faculty and staff. The findings demonstrate alignment with work underway to support a culture of inclusive excellence and well-being at SFU. See the report for details and information on next steps and actions underway to build on SFU’s strengths in fairness and respect, while addressing challenges related to cultural inclusion, well-being and institutional support for diversity.

Institutional Research and Planning have also published a 51ÉçÇøºÚÁÏDemographic & Diversity Data Survey Comparison with the 2021 Canadian Census Report to compare select results from the Demographic & Diversity Data Survey to a comparable subset of the Canadian population to better understand how SFU’s demographic and diversity profile aligns with, or diverges from, national trends and benchmarks. See the report for a comparison on three areas that are of interest to SFU: gender, Indigenous identity and visible minority. The data presented in this report is based on the 2021 Census and the 2024 Demographic & Diversity Data Survey. 

Using chosen names at SFU

Chosen names, also known as preferred names, are names that individuals choose to use instead of their legal names. Respecting people’s chosen names is a basic matter of dignity, equity and belonging. While trans and gender-diverse communities are the most directly harmed by deadnaming, creating respectful, streamlined name change processes has broad equity, safety, and cultural inclusion benefits for the entire institution. Aligned with SFU’s Equity Compass and commitment to inclusive digital environments, 51ÉçÇøºÚÁÏis updating how chosen names are displayed across university systems. To learn more about SFU’s work in this area and step-by-step instructions on how to update your chosen name in SFU’s centrally managed systems and Student ID card, visit Chosen Names at SFU.

Update on SFU’s Accessibility Plan

The Accessibility Committee welcomed 11 new members to the Committee which now includes representation from students, staff and faculty. It is composed of both appointed and at-large positions, selected through an open call for expressions of interest annually. Read the inaugural 51ÉçÇøºÚÁÏAccessibility Plan, the Committee’s Terms of Reference or leave feedback for the Accessibility Secretariat, by visiting Accessibility at SFU.

EDI-related supports are available

51ÉçÇøºÚÁÏis committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive community for all. Important work is being undertaken by our Equity Office to ensure that 51ÉçÇøºÚÁÏis a safe and welcoming space for all students, faculty and staff. Please see our list of identity-based supports and reach out if you need help. For all other supports, please visit our community supports page.