The Canadian Research Insights Council (CRIC), Canada’s voice of the research, analytics and insights industry, condemns racism and discrimination in any form and believes our industry has an important role to play in pushing for progress.
As a first step, CRIC presented the webinar “Confronting Exclusion and Racism in Canada’s Research & Insights Industry.” Thanks to Marva Wisdom from the Environics Institute’s Black Experience Project and the four research professionals, Lisa Wright from Canadian Viewpoint, Laarni Paras from Sklar Wilton & Associates, Raymond Armstrong and Donald Williams, who led this webinar. Our expert panel shared insights into the overt and systemic racism that the Black Community and other racialized groups in Canada face. They also shared some of the actions that the industry can take to help confront racism and promote diversity and inclusion in our companies and in our work. Use the link below to view the recording of the webinar and download the slides.
View Recording and Download Slides
This webinar was intended to begin the discussion. As an industry focused on collecting and analyzing data, we know firsthand that more needs to be done to increase equity for all, including the Black Community and Indigenous Peoples. To start we need to improve our practices in promoting diversity and inclusion in our companies and workplaces. We also have an important role to play in our work. We must continue to support research like the Black Experience Project that informs the public and key stakeholders on the need for change. We must also ensure that all research and analytics consider potential biases so that the insights we produce are fully reflective of our society.
Among its next steps, CRIC will work with industry leaders to eliminate barriers that prevent Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) talent from entering/advancing in our industry. We will also proactively work to engage BIPOC talent in all CRIC Committees. CRIC will also be reviewing its standards and guidelines to ensure these support the elimination of bias in research and data analytics. CRIC will promote unconscious bias training for all professionals in our industry and work with other initiatives including the Canadian Council of Business Leaders Against Anti-Black Systemic Racism (BlackNorth Initiative).
CRIC will also continue to share in its communications ways that everyone in our industry can play a role in achieving progress. Here are some of the ways that you can help to support the change that is needed.
1. Educate yourself on the issues
View the findings of the Environics Institute’s Black Experience Project (BEP) to learn more about the “lived experience” of the Black community in the GTA. Today’s speaker, Marva Wisdom, served as the Director of Communication and Engagement and Outreach of the BEP and has been active with the BEP team since its inception in 2010. Read the report and watch the BEP Video Presentation.
Watch Melissa Horne’s (PhD in Modern U.S. and African American History) webinar “Understanding the Historical Context of Black Lives Matter” for the context needed to meaningfully understand, engage and act during this time.
2. Learn about unconscious bias
Are you unknowingly contributing to the problem? Attending training on unconscious bias will help you recognize and minimize potential blind spots.
3. Join/start a diversity and inclusion committee
Join or start a diversity and inclusion committee at your company that includes Black, Indigenous and People of Colour employees to help shape diversity and inclusion policy, identify/remove barriers and monitor progress.
4. Eliminate bias in research and analytics approaches
Are our samples representative of all consumers? Are we asking the right questions and are we asking them the right away? Are there inherent biases in our data sources? Do we have the diverse skill sets needed to design research that engages all of society? How can we challenge brands to think differently and more inclusively?
5. Support social research that identifies solutions and monitors progress
It is important for our industry continue to support social research like the Black Experience Project that informs the public of ongoing issues, potential solutions and the progress that has been made.
CRIC welcomes your ideas and help in bringing about change. Please contact CRIC’s Chief Administrative Officer, John Tabone at john.tabone@canadianresearchinsightscouncil.ca to share your ideas and get involved.
About CRIC
The Canadian Research Insights Council (CRIC) is Canada’s voice of the research, analytics and insights profession both domestically and globally. CRIC represents the highest standards, ethics and best practices; provides effective promotion and advocacy of the industry; serves as a source of information and thought leadership; and is a forum for collective industry action.
https://canadianresearchinsightscouncil.ca/cric-commits-to-action-encourages-industry-support-to-confront-exclusion-and-racism-in-canadas-research-analytics-and-insights-industry/
