NSERC Chair for Inclusion in Science and Engineering (Quebec Region)

Balance: Promoting an inclusive research ecosystem with diverse careers and fair recognition

Chairholder since 2025

The goal of the Balance program is to transform the academic research system in Canada by improving the ways that it recognizes, values and includes academic research professionals (ARPs), in particular those from under-represented groups. This program will achieve these goals through three main sets of activities.

First, the Balance program team will consult individuals and communities to understand the obstacles that they face and help them to pursue a variety of career paths. To do so, the program’s researchers will use various methods from the social sciences (including document analysis, surveys, semi-structured interviews and focus groups) to understand what motivates people to seek ARP positions, and to characterize the obstacles and the action plans in the context of these individuals.

Second, the Balance program team will create targeted opportunitiesto provide information about ARP careers, to attract students from under-represented groups to various career paths in natural sciences and engineering, and to strengthen current ARPs’ sense of belonging. Working with its partners, the program team will share the stories of people who are making careers in these fields and will deliver workshops and content to the student community at CEGEPS and in other existing programs. The program team will also develop strategies to support access to professional development, mentoring and technology training as well as acquisition of leadership skills (the program will offer these activities and services both in person and virtually). The program’s Early Exposure component will include internships, immersive research experiences and presentations by inspiring speakers. All of these initiatives will foster lasting commitments and strengthen the skills that current and future ARPs will need if they choose these career paths.

Third, the Balance program will promote reform of academic structures. Drawing on work by our partner, Global BioImaging, the program will define new institutional frameworks that encourage inclusion and provide lasting support for ARPs. The program will present these new frameworks in various seminars, webinars, workshops and podcasts, as well as to its partners’ networks. These presentations will be accompanied by practical tools to facilitate adoption of these frameworks.

Marie-Eve Paquet is co-founder of the Canadian Network of Scientific Platforms (CNSP), which includes over 320 scientific platforms and influences research-funding policies in Canada. Her involvement in the CNSP places her in direct contact with ARPs, including those working in remote locations, and has given her a good understanding of the ecosystem. As a Quebec Francophone, Paquet has built strong ties with many Quebec-based organizations, including postsecondary educational institutions in Quebec’s various regions. She has also developed the Canadian Optogenetics and Vectorology Foundry, a national platform and key centre for gene transfer and protein engineering in Canada. Her experience has given her unique expertise that will help her to achieve the Balance program’s objectives, for which these flagship platforms in Quebec will serve as strategic springboards.

By collecting data, conducting research and analyzing policies, the Balance program team will identify the obstacles impeding and the opportunities favouring ARPs’ careers and will develop recruitment and retention strategies based on evidence from the natural sciences and engineering. The program will promote diversification and sustainability of ARP career paths, as well as professional training and the development of an academic culture of inclusion. The program will develop lasting networks, facilitate integration of the program’s initiatives into its partners’ activities, and position Quebec as a leader in equitable research policy in Canada. The program will also encourage participation of Indigenous people, through initiatives to encourage cultural exchanges, to provide information about ARP career opportunities and to promote climate solutions and ideas that Indigenous people propose, which will strengthen collaboration and innovation within the communities.

• McGill University
• Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS)
• Université Laval
• Foundation Cervo
• Canadian Network of Scientific Platforms (CNSP)
• BioImaging North America (BINA)
• SHAD Canada
• SCWIST
• SKILLSETS, McGill University
• Canada Bioimaging (CBI)
• Latin America Bioimaging (LABI)
• Prima
• Microscopy Australia (MA)
• Centre interuniversitaire de recherche sur la science et la technologie (CIRST), UQAM
• Scientista, McGill University
• DeepTech Canada
• Optonique
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Photonics Society, Montreal Chapter
• Calcul Québec
• Les Scientifines
• Soapbox Science Montreal

Email: anr@anr.ulaval.ca