In October 2021, the University of Toronto’s Black Research Network (BRN) launched as the first of its kind at UofT. The BRN is an Institutional Strategic Initiative which aims to promote Black excellence and increase the visibility and research capacity of Black scholars by creating a network of research engagement across the three campuses. During its first year, the BRN will focus on data and health sciences, but its support extends to all disciplines. The network has already established workshops, grants, and other initiatives, with more events planned for the coming year.
At the launch in October, inaugural director Professor Beth Coleman gave opening remarks, followed by the Steering Committee: Dean Rhonda McEwen, Professor Maydianne Andrade, Professor Alissa Trotz, and Professor Lisa Robinson. They also featured keynote speakers Dr. Ruha Benjamin and Dr. Timnit Gebru, leading academics in Black technoscience. The launch recordings are available on the BRN website.
Dr. McEwen spoke on the work that led to the creation of the BRN, beginning in 2016: “Our goal was to stand in support of our students who were on the front lines of the Black Lives Matter Toronto movement.” A group of Black faculty from multiple universities came together to discuss, as Dr. McEwen put it, “what we as Black faculty owed to our students and to ourselves.” This meeting led to several initiatives within the University of Toronto, but the group decided that in addition, “[they] now needed to focus on research collaboration… [they] then approached the Institutional Strategic Initiative folks and had incredible support.” Dr. McEwen added, “I could not be prouder of the work that we have done.”
The Strand spoke with Dr. Beth Coleman, BRN inaugural director, UofT Associate Professor, and author of Hello Avatar, a book examining this generation’s cultural shift into the virtual world.
She explained that the idea for the network arose last year from discussions surrounding the UofT Anti-Black Racism Task Force in the midst of the pandemic, protests, police brutality, and adjacent societal issues. Dr. Coleman and her colleagues recognized the need for the network and saw an opportunity within the institution. “We need to both further support Black researchers, BIPOC researchers, and help map out for each other, who’s doing this work? … Can we get these people in a room together? … My job is to help make those conversations happen.”
Dr. Andrade offered her perspective on the need for representation in the sciences. “When I was hired in 2000, I had no idea that I would be one of only a handful of Black scientists working in fundamental research at the University, and I had no idea that that statistic would barely shift for 20 years. Nor did I realize that this is true at institutions across Canada. While Black academics are underrepresented among faculty in general, this is even more acute in the sciences.”
She went on to explain that “the visibility of Black researchers in itself can reverse deficit narratives,” and “even one role model can change how a young person thinks about what’s possible in the future.” Ultimately, “the Black Research Network will highlight role models that can inspire Black youth and almost as important, normalize Black scientists and researchers for all Canadians.”
The BRN has established four strategic pillars: research excellence; mentorship and pathways; community, collaboration, and partnerships; and funding and investment. “Research excellence is in some ways the most obvious one … [but] we need all four of those to support the one that’s more public facing,” said Dr. Coleman.
Since its launch, the BRN has been working on these goals. In November, they initiated their first small grant: the Ignite Grant, which provides research funding for Black faculty, librarians, and post-doctoral scholars working in any research discipline. The application is currently open, and recipients will be announced in March. The network is also developing the Visiting Fellows Award, creating research profiles, and collaborating with a group working on decolonial machine learning and addressing implicit bias in AI.
For now, focus is mostly on the graduate level and upwards because the network is research-centred, but the team is looking to involve undergraduate students as well, with BRN lead Maria Williams meeting with undergraduates to discuss how they can become involved in the network. Dr. Coleman mentioned that undergraduates often participate in research teams, and are not only mentored but often make important contributions.
This month, the BRN hosted a read-a-thon honoring the late Black American poet bell hooks in partnership with the Women and Gender Studies Institute. In February, the Black History Month speakers series will be a highlight, and this summer, there will be a gala, Juneteenth social, and several seminars. “It’s both a research conversation and also about the social life of the University. People have been so enthusiastic about the BRN being a beacon for why it feels so exciting to be here.”
Inevitably, the pandemic has posed some challenges for collaboration and social connection. “In September, we had a very joyous Black faculty and research network meet and greet … It is a bit rough that at the end of January we’re still not in a place where we can sit down and have a meal together… but we’ll get there.” Plans for a winter party were derailed by Omicron, but the group is planning an outdoor spring gala instead, when warmer weather will allow for responsible social engagement.
Among the many accomplishments the network has had since it launched, Dr. Coleman and her colleagues are celebrating a major grant from the Connaught Fund to “support diverse, interdisciplinary research teams addressing major challenges in the world.”
For updates about upcoming workshops, events, grants, and more, anyone can sign up for the mailing list on the BRN website or follow their Twitter.
