Diversity as a Consideration for Recruiting CERCs

Page 1 of 8 Introduction The goal of the Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program is to recruit exceptional researchers from outside Canada to lead cutting‐edge programs that will enhance Canada’s reputation for research excellence world‐wide. The goals of this program can only be reached if the strongest candidates are in the applicant pool, if their applications are advanced forward through the stages of the search process, and if the preferred candidate is successfully recruited to leave their current position and relocate both their personal and professional lives to Canada. In order to ensure that all of the best researchers around the world are considered for these prestigious positions, institutions should create their recruitment strategies carefully. In particular, a conventional search and hiring process might not be sufficient. Institutions should follow known best‐practices to encourage well‐qualified candidates to apply for and accept the position (if offered), regardless of country of origin, gender, race or ethnicity, family status, age, ability status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic not related to job qualifications. The Review Panel reviewed all the CERC Recruitment Plans (Part B of the application package), and evaluated the plans in accordance with six essential elements for a successful faculty recruitment: I. Run an Effective and Efficient Search Committee II. Actively Recruit an Excellent and Diverse Pool of Candidates III. Raise Awareness of Unconscious Assumptions and Their Influence on Evaluation of Candidates IV. Ensure a Fair and Thorough Review of Candidates V. Develop and Implement an Effective Interview Process VI. Closing the Deal: Successfully Hiring Your Selected Candidate In this Best Practices document, the Review Panel highlights a few important points within each element, providing examples from the CERC recruitment plans (anonymized) submitted by the 46 applicants to the Phase 1 2012 competition to illustrate key points. The CERC Review Panel endorses the principles set forth in this best practices document. The Review Panel notes that it is clear, from the strength of the research teams that are described in the CERC phase 1 proposals, that Canadian universities have been very successful at recruiting and hiring extremely competent faculty members. The review panel wishes to stress, however, that recruiting and hiring for a prestigious CERC position is likely going to require a different approach, and encourages institutions to consider some of the best practices described herein.