Profile
NSERC Chair for Inclusion in Science and Engineering (Québec)
Balance: Promoting an inclusive research ecosystem with diverse careers and fair recognition
Chairholder since 2025
Dr. Claire M. Brown is a full Professor in the Department of Physiology at McGill University, Director of the Advanced BioImaging Facility (ABIF) and a member of the Order of Quebec for Excellence in Education. As an internationally renowned microscopist, principal investigator and researcher, she applies advanced bioimaging tools to uncover the molecular mechanisms driving cell migration in normal and diseased systems. Prof. Brown has played an important role in establishing, growing and sustaining national and international networks to bring communities together around common challenges and co-design solutions. Through these networks she has fostered global conversations focused on the expert scientists who play critical roles around infrastructure management, training and education to enable discovery and innovation. Discussions are around women and underrepresented groups in science and have led to the publication of international recommendations for clear stable career paths and measuring impact. She has also penned editorial pieces focused on democratizing access to advanced technologies, the importance of open data sharing and recognizing the contributions of platform scientists. Prof. Brown’s work demonstrates her commitment to improve the science ecosystem through training, education, mentorship and the development and integration of equitable and inclusive practices.
The Équilibre Chair program focuses on three key goals: 1) understanding barriers and promoting diverse career paths for Academic Research Professionals (ARPs), 2) empowering ARPs through targeted training and mentorship and 3) developing frameworks for career paths and equitable recognition. Activities include mixed-methods research with social scientists; professional development and leadership training (including a certified Nanoprogram); remote and in-person technical training; and outreach to promote careers as ARPs to students. Signature initiatives include an Indigenous art-science - Illuminating Connections – collaboration; a career-focused podcast – Femmes in Focus; and the development of frameworks and adoption by institutions to improve ARP career recognition. These efforts are delivered through a strong network of academic, scientific and community partners across Quebec, Canada and internationally. Prof. Brown brings her unique dual experience as an ARP and a principal investigator to the Équilibre program. The program will build on her experience and expertise to provide ARPs with the training they need, provide national and global reach to promote clear career paths and equitable recognition and the resources to develop made in Quebec solutions for retention and career development.
Équilibre will benefit Canadians by strengthening the talent pipeline in science and engineering, improving equity and job security in research and accelerating innovation through better retention of skilled professionals. Canadians will gain from a more inclusive and collaborative research ecosystem with broader access to expertise and technology. Partners will benefit from integrated programming, policy tools, new connections and shared evaluation frameworks. Thanks to partners with established networks and programs, Équilibre is well-positioned to scale rapidly across Quebec, Canada and internationally for a stronger, more inclusive research system that fully values all who contribute to excellence.
- McGill University
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS)
- Université Laval
- Foundation Cervo
- BioImaging North America (BINA)
- Canadian Network of Scientific Platforms (CNSP)
- Advanced BioImaging Facility (ABIF), McGill University
- Branches Program, McGill University
- Calcul Québec
- Canada Bioimaging (CBI)
- Canadian optogenetics and vectorology platform (COVF), Université Laval
- Centre interuniversitaire de recherche sur la science et la technologie (CIRST), UQAM
- Computational Energy Materials Design Infrastructure (CEMDI)
- DeepTech Canada
- Fiorenzo Vetrone, UNESCO Chair, INRS
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Photonics Society, Montreal Chapter
- Latin America Bioimaging (LABI)
- Les Scientifines
- Microscopy Australia (MA)
- National Centre for Electrochemistry and Environmental Technologies, (CNETE Inc.)
- Optonique
- Pôle de recherche et d'innovation en matériaux avancés (PRIMA) Quebec
- Scientista, McGill University
- SHAD Canada
- SKILLSETS, McGill University
- Soapbox Science Montreal
- Society for Canadian Women in Science & Technology (SCWIST)
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