This project examines the barriers in WIL specifically faced by marginalized student groups such as international, refugee, LQBTQ2S+ students, students with disabilities, and students from low socio-economic status backgrounds. The project explores tools and resources to help WIL employers and staff effectively address student barriers around discrimination and inclusion.

Project Information

Institution(s): Simon Fraser University
Status: In-Progress
Project Dates: February 1, 2020 — September 30, 2021
Project Contact:
Amie McLean
amie_mclean@sfu.ca
Project Contributors:
Akanksha Thakur (Project Lead)

The resources below have been curated from the project’s research findings and to promote more inclusive and equitable ways forward in WIL. The aim of these resources is for WIL practitioners and employers to feel better equipped in understanding the diverse and interconnected needs of WIL’s diverse students. These resources are not intended as a comprehensive set of strategies and/or tools for achieving goals of equity, diversity and inclusion in WIL and the workplace. We hope you will use these resources as a starting point for further education and understanding, consequently enabling more inclusive and equitable ways forward.

Final Report
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Understanding Diverse Needs of Diverse Students

British Columbia is the most ethnically diverse province in Canada. Just over 30 percent of British Columbians immigrated to B.C. In order for organizations to stay competitive today, understanding the diverse and intersectional needs of employees is crucial today.

Understanding Diverse Needs of Diverse Students

Supporting Diverse Needs of Diverse Students

In order for employers to stay competitive today, understanding the diverse and intersectional needs of employees is crucial. Here are some resources on how to support diverse needs of diverse WIL students.

Supporting Diverse Needs of Diverse Students

Recognizing Discrimination: Examples of Discrimination in Action

Discrimination may take many different forms. It can happen directly (intentionally) or indirectly (unintentionally), but the impact on the individual remains. When we think of discrimination, we often forget to acknowledge the indirect and subtle ways…Read More »

Recognizing Discrimination: Examples of Discrimination in Action

Expanding WIL Opportunities with an Accessibility Approach

This report investigates the gap in students’ participation in post-secondary institutions’ (PSIs) WIL programs and the need for a targeted approach to increase employment opportunities for students with disabilities (SWD).

Expanding WIL Opportunities with an Accessibility Approach

Understanding Power Dynamics, Cross Cultural Communication, Biases and Assumptions

Power dynamics are inevitable in relationships, they play a particularly important role at work, and are especially crucial when we bring into consideration the obvious power dynamics between a Co-op student and their employer. The same goes for communicating across difference and being aware of our unconscious biases and assumptions as we increasingly work with diverse individuals…Read More »

Understanding Power Dynamics, Cross-Cultural Communication, Biases and Assumptions

iHub Toolkit: Advancing Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: A Toolkit for Employers and Community Partners

This toolkit is intended to both amplify the voices of WIL students who experience marginalization, and to provide employers and community partners with actionable strategies for advancing justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI). The toolkit is intended as a practical, action orientated primer to assist your organization or company in advancing your JEDI commitments. Rather than a checklist, we hope you will take this document as an opportunity to consider the specific context, nuances, and JEDI needs of your workforce. In addition to the toolkit, a separate List of Resources and Glossary of Terms is also provided to support you in meeting your organization’s JEDI goals.

iHub Toolkit: Advancing Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: A Toolkit for Employers and Community Partners