An associate professor in Quebec is raising concerns to members of Parliament about the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) criteria used to determine who qualifies for research funding.
In a submission to the Commons science committee, Maryse Beaumier of the University of Quebec in Rimouski told MPs that DEI practices in federal research funding agencies are compromising funding decisions, which are being influenced by “criteria unrelated to science, excellence, and merit.”
She said researchers applying for funding are asked to answer questions such as about their sexual orientation.
“Questioning a researcher about their sexual orientation (an actual occurrence) has no place in research, nor does questioning whether they are Indigenous, have physical limitations, etc.,” Beaumier wrote in the brief, which was first obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter….