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Student EDI leaders

On this page: EUS student groups | Graduate student groups | Interfaculty student groups | Student-led national conferences | Past EDI awards recipients

EUS student groups

EUS Equity

EUS Equity works toward a more inclusive community by offering equity training and workshops for EUS clubs, organizing panel and speaker events, engaging in policymaking, and upholding the Involvement Restriction Policy shared across SSMU associations.

Email: equity [at] mcgilleus.ca

Indigenous Inclusion Committee (IIC)

The IIC provides resources for current and future Indigenous members of the Engineering Undergraduate Society. This committee is open to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Թ students and aims to implement resources at the Department and Faculty levels, both for supporting Indigenous students and educating non-Indigenous students on Indigenous perspectives in Engineering.

Email: iic [at] mcgilleus.ca

Թ Internationally Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM)

Թ iGEM is an interdisciplinary community of students collaborating on synthetic biology research to change the world. In addition to participating in the annual iGEM Competition, they organize inclusivity and outreach initiatives with the goal of improving social impact and equitable access to STEM resources.

Email: igem [at] mcgilleus.ca">igem [at] mcgilleus.ca

National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)

NSBE Թ works to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.


Email: nsbe [at] mcgilleus.ca

Promoting Opportunities for Women in Engineering (POWE)

POWE is a philanthropic group dedicated to promoting gender diversity in engineering and supporting future engineers through conferences, industry and networking events, mentorship opportunities, and outreach.

Email: powe [at] mcgilleus.ca

Queer Engineer

Queer Engineer hosts events and spaces for the queer community to gather, make connections, and learn from each other and the greater queer/STEM community.

Email: queer.engineer [at] mcgilleus.ca

Graduate student groups

Graduate Engineering Equity Committee (GEEC)

GEEC is a team of graduate students and postdocs designing interactive spaces for the exploration of topics related to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Their initiatives aim to foster a sense of community among students, staff, and professors alike.

Email: equity.geec [at] gmail.com

Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

SWE empowers women to achieve their full potential in careers as engineers and leaders, expand the image of the engineering and technology professions as a positive force in improving the quality of life, and demonstrate the value of diversity and inclusion.

Email: swe.mcgillu [at] gmail.com

Interfaculty student groups

Advancing Indigenous People in STEM (AISES)

AISES is a national nonprofit organization focused on substantially increasing the representation of Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers.

Scientista

Scientista empowers women and underrepresented genders in STEM through content, communities, and conferences.

Email: scientista.mcgill [at] gmail.com

Student-led national conferences

Conference on Diversity in Engineering (CDE)

The is an annual national conference hosted by the Canadian Federation of Engineering Students (CFES) that brings together over 150 engineering students from across Canada to collaborate on improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in the profession.

EngiQueers Canada Conference

is a nationwide non-profit organization that represents over 30 similar member groups at engineering schools across the country. The EngiQueers Canada Conference is an annual national gathering that brings together LGBTQ+ engineering professionals and students to strengthen community, foster leadership, and advance belonging in STEM.

Past EDI awards recipients

From 2019–2023, the Office of E-IDEA recognized student leaders and provided funding for EDI and anti-racism initiatives through the EDI Awards Program. Since 2024, funding for student initiatives has been absorbed by the E-IDEA Community Engagement Program.

2023 recipients

Preston Phipps Equity and Diversity Award

Graduate Association of Mechanical Engineering Students (GAMES)

GAMES is launching new initiatives to bring more awareness to different facets of EDI in Mechanical Engineering. These include administering a student EDI survey, organizing events around topics such as “Women in STEM” and “The BIPOC Experience in Academia”, hosting an EDI-focused Future Faculty Event, establishing a mentorship program, and outreach to underrepresented high school and CÉGEP students. GAMES aims to address the diverse needs of graduate students and provide tools to incorporate EDI practices into their work.

Members of the GAMES
The GAMES council of the Mechanical Engineering Department


Rio Tinto Women in Engineering Leadership Award

Թ Students' Chapter for Scientista

Scientista organizes the annual Leading Beyond Boundaries Symposium: Promoting Gender Diversity in STEM. Recognizing that women, transgender, and non-binary folk face unique challenges in STEM, Scientista fosters networking, professional development, and self-empowerment in a safe environment. Symposium activities include 3-minute thesis and poster competitions, keynote speakers, and industry panelists sharing experiences, advice, and career opportunities. Scientista also raises funds for local organizations that provide resources for underrepresented genders.

Members of The Scientista Executive Team
The Scientista Executive Team at their 1st Annual Symposium in March 2023


Rio Tinto Women in Engineering Leadership Award

Mining and Materials Engineering Unite: Embrace Equity Project

The Embrace Equity Project was co-founded by Mandy Lokko and Bailee Johnson to address the needs of women and gender minority graduate students in Mining and Materials Engineering. They work to build awareness of barriers such as financial stress, climate change, mental health issues, and inadequate support systems, and their disproportionate impacts on underrepresented genders. Initiatives include community building and wellness events, support for professional development, and networking opportunities.


Rio Tinto Women in Engineering Leadership Award

Out Loud: Queer Voices in Research Symposium

The Out Loud Symposium is targeted toward 2SLGBTQIA+ students from all disciplines. The purpose is to establish a safe space to showcase and celebrate the accomplishments of queer researchers who face unique obstacles in their fields, including discrimination and increased health and wellbeing issues. Sessions include keynote speeches, a 3-minute thesis competition, student poster and oral presentations, and networking opportunities.


Rio Tinto Women in Engineering Leadership Award

Promoting Opportunities for Women in Engineering (POWE)

POWE is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting gender diversity in engineering. POWE organizes the Annual SymPOWEsium, a conference helping students, especially women and feminine-identifying gender minorities, prepare for life after graduation. With over 100 students and 20 companies participating in last year's conference, POWE hopes to keep the momentum going for this year!

students working at a desk
Participants at the Gender Equity and Leadership Workshop during the 3rd Annual SymPOWEsium hosted by POWE


WSP Equity and Diversity Award

Graduate Engineering Equity Committee (GEEC)

GEEC is dedicated to advancing EDI initiatives across the Faculty of Engineering. They create learning spaces for EDI topics with an emphasis on the graduate and postdoctoral experience. GEEC raises awareness through events such as guest speaker series, movie nights, and an annual equity orientation for students, staff, and faculty. Their goal is ultimately to establish platforms for diverse voices to be heard and to encourage discussion as the starting point for collaborative learning and action.

GEEC members visiting McCord Stewart Museum
A GEEC visit to the McCord Stewart Museum’s “Indigenous Voices of Today” exhibit


WSP Equity and Diversity Award

Թ iGEM

Թ iGEM enables students of all backgrounds to experience the full life cycle of a research project. They engage traditionally underrepresented groups in learning scientific techniques, leadership, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, and collaboration. Activities include workshops with the SynBio Collective, the First Nations Regional Adult Education Centre, SHAD, CÉGEPs, and high schools. Their annual In Vitro conference focuses on sustainability in science, bioethics, and equity and diversity in STEM.

Members of iGEM at a workshop
A biotechnology workshop organized by iGEM with Թ's Indigenous Studies Program for the First Nations Regional Adult Education Centre in Kahnawà:ke


WSP Equity and Diversity Award

National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Թ Chapter

The NSBE Թ Mentorship Program promotes anti-racism and EDI education through mentorship, community engagement, and resources supporting Թ students and youth. NSBE aims to drive social justice and foster a sense of community, bolstering Black youths’ confidence in pursuing Higher Education in STEM. This serves as a powerful effort enabling both Black mentors and youth to fulfill their potential, contribute meaningfully to their communities, and collaboratively shape a more equitable future for all.

2022 recipients

WSP Equity and Diversity Award

Isabelle Prévost-Aubin

Preston Phipps Equity and Diversity Award

Indigenous Inclusion Committee (IIC)

Members of IIC with the Dean and the Associate Dean of Faculty of Engineering
Image by Antonella Fratino.
Members of the Indigenous Inclusion Committee [l-r] Jonas Henderson (Kalaaleq), Isabelle Prévost-Aubin (Métis Nation), and Kayleigh Spencer (James Bay Cree), with Prof. Frank Ferrie and Dean Nicell

2020 recipients

Preston Phipps Equity and Diversity Award

Joel Grant on behalf of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)

Graduate Engineering Equity Committee (GEEC)

2019 recipients

2019 Recipients

Preston Phipps Equity and Diversity Award

Promoting Opportunities for Women in Engineering (POWE)


Are you a student team leading EDI Initiatives?

Reach out to eidea [at] mcgill.ca to be added to the list!

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