DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)
Conference Values and Code of Conduct
The Symposium is committed to being as inclusive and diverse as possible, as well as promoting honest and respectful relationships among all participants.
The Symposium aims to create a safe environment and take action against discrimination and harassment. This position is based on principles and values.
The Symposium recognizes that we live in a capitalist, colonial, imperialist, structurally sexist, racist, classist, ableist, and heteronormative system. These systems of oppression intersect in interdependent ways and are therefore experienced by individuals in an intersectional manner. Individuals may therefore experience sexist, racist, classist, LGBTQIA+phobic, Islamophobic, anti-Semitic, and/or ableist discrimination simultaneously.
Fundamental Principles and Values
The symposium aims to be a space for intellectual exchange, learning, knowledge transfer, and discussion with peers. We believe in social, cultural, and intellectual justice that enables discovery, exchange, and the creation of egalitarian social ties.
The symposium is a stage in the doctoral journey that enables the personal, collective, and social development of individuals and groups as doctoral students and researchers.
The symposium and research are tools for producing meaning that allow us to question our certainties, our histories, and our social and political relationships, making it possible to examine and grasp some of the complexity of our world.
Accessibility aims to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate independently in the Symposium. It concerns the layout of spaces, the economic and logistical conditions of participation, and communication strategies. The layout and adaptability of spaces must provide safe places for everyone, optimal comfort, and appropriate facilities: this particularly concerns landmarks, signage, furniture, and atmosphere.
Concrete Actions
- Accessible Communication: Use of inclusive language in French, use of multiple languages (all materials are bilingual in French and English), identification in advance of the different languages spoken by participants, and use of visual aids.
- Logistical Accessibility: Ensuring that the venue is accessible to all, creating detailed maps. Venues accessible by public transportation, automatic doors, elevators, rooms accessible to people with reduced mobility, and provision of a quiet rest area.
- Food: Vegetarian, vegan, and allergen-free options. Consideration of religious holidays that take place during the Symposium (including Ramadan and Lent), communication with all participants about food options, and options for those who are fasting.
Principles for Upholding Values
- No insults or harassment. No form of insult, harassment, or discrimination based on gender, race, class, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ethnicity, or other offensive behavior will be tolerated. We are committed to maintaining a safe space for all participants.
- Inappropriate communications. Any communication within the framework of the Symposium that is deemed inappropriate, such as oppressive, offensive, defamatory, or disrespectful comments, will be sanctioned. Students must express themselves in a constructive and respectful manner.
- Collaboration and ideas. Respect for the rights of authors and the ownership of their ideas is essential. Ideas exchanged within the framework of the Symposium may not be appropriated, distorted, and/or exploited.
Reporting
If you are a victim or witness of oppressive, discriminatory, or defamatory behavior, you can contact one of the Symposium’s “sentinels.”
Sentinels:
- Margaux Maurel : margaux.maurel@hec.ca ; +33 6 38 67 71 48
- Marie-Eugénie Lamare : marie-eugenie.lamare@hec.ca ; +1 514 792 4109
The sentinels are volunteers who are particularly sensitive to issues related to oppression and discrimination based on gender, race, class, religion, orientation, illness, or physical or cognitive disability. Although they are not experts and have no formal training, the sentinels will serve as resource persons during the symposium.
In the event of an incident, a solution will be discussed, focusing on the victim’s experience.
*This event has been organized within the limits of the human, material, and financial resources of the various committees involved on a voluntary basis.
Sources used to write the charter:
https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/wage-fegc/documents/gba-/gba–resources-inclusive-event-planning/inclusive-inclusif-fr.pdf
https://culturecotenord.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Charte_FR.pdf
https://www.chartecultureaie.com/
Santé Canada (Unité du sexe et du genre) : Documents de planification d’événements EDSC : « Guide de planification de réunions inclusives » : https://www.canada.ca/fr/emploi-developpementsocial/programmes/invalidite/cra/reunions-inclusives.html
DEI Initiatives
Childcare
If you need childcare, you may register your child (6 months to 11 years old) for the CSPE UQAM drop-in childcare service located near the Hélène-Desmarais Building. Childcare is available on Thursday and Friday, as well as for the Thursday evening cocktail (5 à 7). If there is sufficient demand, childcare may also be offered for the Friday evening 5 à 7.
Childcare fees will be covered by the Symposium (please make sure to check “Doctoral Symposium 2026” in the form).
Registration: registration form
Religious fasting
The conference takes place during religious fasting periods. At the end of each day (Thursday and Friday), food and beverages will be served during the end-of-day cocktail so participants may break their fast if they wish.
Gender-neutral restrooms
While building signage at the Hélène-Desmarais Building cannot be changed, some single-occupancy restrooms originally designated as accessible are gender-neutral and may be used by anyone.
Lactation room & changing tables
The Hélène-Desmarais Building has a lactation room and changing tables located on the 6th floor, Wing A, room A.699.
To access it, please request the key at the main Security desk (1st floor, Wing B, room B.105) or call 514-340-3869.
Quiet rooms
A quiet room will be available throughout the event. It is designed to provide a calm and quiet space, ideal for relaxing, recharging your batteries, meditating, or working quietly. On Thursday, the rest room will be A.449 Melbourne (4th floor), and on Friday, it will be C.539 Saïd Business School (5th floor).
Accommodation requests
For any questions regarding a specific accommodation during the Symposium, please contact us by email:
📧 marie-eugenie.lamare@hec.ca
You may also consult the Accessibility page (updated regularly).