Commitment of the Wuest Group to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The Wuest Group sees its diversity as a source of strength. High standards of equity, diversity, and inclusion are maintained in various ways, such as (1) by understanding the unique needs of members of the team and ensuring that they feel comfortable in the group, (2) by consistently using gender-neutral, inclusive, and unbiased language, and (3) by maintaining visibility through publications, presentations at meetings, participation in networks, teaching, and collaborating, so that a large pool of qualified candidates is attracted. Members of the team often work as teaching assistants or tutors, serve in science summer camps, or participate in student organizations, so they regularly meet talented people from groups that are underrepresented in science. When appropriate, these individuals are invited to visit group laboratories and shadow researchers while they work. In maintaining high diversity, the group has been helped significantly by being on a new campus built by the Université de Montréal in a part of the city where many residents do not have university educations. Many non-traditional students are literally at the doorstep, and the composition of the group mirrors the vibrant, multicultural, and inclusive character of Montréal itself.

The experience of living in the city and in the province of Québec as a whole can be best enjoyed by students who speak French or are willing to learn. Even so, a pre-existing knowledge of French is not needed to be accepted at the Université de Montréal, take graduate courses, and succeed at a high level in academics and research. The university is consistently ranked among the five best in Canada and one of the top 100 in the world. Come here for an opportunity to do world-class science and to learn the basics of another language at the same time!