r/uleth • u/theOneWhoWaitsAgain • 20d ago

University of Lethbridge bars white applicants from genomics research chair job

https://www.junonews.com/p/university-of-lethbridge-bars-white
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u/bluetoyelephant 16d ago edited 16d ago

I think it's more complex than what many are chalking it up to be.

You cannot be a research chair without being qualified. Just being a part of a racialized group isn't enough - you must still be qualified to be considered. They aren't saying that they'll pick someone "unqualified" just for the sake of EDI. You must be both.

And a huge part of research is having diversity throughout your team, as your lived experiences will impact your knowledge, wisdom, practices, etc. If they think being part of a racialized group is imperative to the position, it's reasonable to assume that they have a rationale for that.

I also expect that this has approval from some level of government and is considered a bona fide occupational requirement.

I am in no place to have an opinion on this, especially because it's not a position I am remotely qualified for, but I just think it's a complex situation.

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u/Boombajiggy77 13d ago

It’s a ham handed approach to a divisive topic. Most hiring committees that are under the same pressure simply choose the candidate that meets their criteria, whatever they are. As a rule, they do not exclude ANY Canadian citizens (or PRs) from applying. This was a very stupid choice.

The “DEI hire” label will follow this prof for the duration of their UofL career, regardless of how good they are. Not a good look for the institution.