The Centre for Research on Inclusion at Work (CRIW) is pleased to officially announce the recipients of 2026’s CRIW Ignite! research grants. This annual competition is designed to advance workplace inclusion by supporting collaborative research projects that align with the Centre’s mission of producing and sharing scholarship on topics of relevance to equity,��diversity��and inclusion. This year, our grants��made up to CAD $30,000 available to fund up to four (4) research projects (maximum value per project $7,500 at the discretion of the adjudication committee).��Congratulations to the following recipients!��

Beyond Tokenism: Antecedents and Outcomes of Critical Mass of Women on Boards��

• Principal Investigator: Dr. Greg J. Sears, Associate Professor, Sprott School of Business, �Ӱ�ԭ�� University��
• Co-Investigators: Dr. Tasnuva Chaudhury, Assistant Professor, Organizational��Behaviour��and Human Resource Management, University of Regina; Dr. Shasanka Chalise, Assistant Professor, Organizational��Behaviour��and Human Resource Management, University of Regina;��Endravid��(Eddy) Mathy, Student, Master of Human Resource Management, University of Regina��

This research investigates the transition from tokenism to a critical mass for women on corporate boards. Grounded in Critical Mass Theory, the study explores why the mere presence of one or two women is often insufficient to shift board dynamics. Using a systematic literature review,��this study��identifies��the factors and outcomes that��facilitate��a “critical mass” of at least three women –the threshold��required��to move beyond symbolic inclusion. Our proposed integrative framework will provide practitioners with evidence-based strategies to foster gender diversity and improve governance effectiveness.��

A National Survey of Women in Policing��

• Principal Investigator: Dr. Kate Dupré, Professor, Department of Psychology, �Ӱ�ԭ�� University��

• Co-investigators: Dr. Kirk Luther, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, �Ӱ�ԭ�� University; Dr. Angela Dionisi, Associate Professor, Sprott School of Business, �Ӱ�ԭ�� University��

This project will conduct a national survey of women police officers and civilian staff in Canada to examine lived experiences in policing and inform organizational transformation toward equity, diversity, and inclusion. This project will produce the first national dataset and explore issues such as 1) policewomen’s perceptions of inclusion within the police service, 2) barriers and facilitators shaping women’s entry into and progression within policing, 3) gender-based mistreatment, organizational responses to such incidents, and women’s experiences reporting misconduct, and 4) work-life balance and the compatibility of policing and caregiving.��

NHL Fandom and Attitudes Toward��Women in Leadership��

• Principal Investigator:��Dr. Shani��Pupco,��Assistant Professor,��Sprott School of Business,���Ӱ�ԭ�� University��
• Co-investigators: Dr. Angela Dionisi, Associate Professor, Sprott School of Business, �Ӱ�ԭ�� University; Jake Starr, MSc student, Sprott School of Business, �Ӱ�ԭ�� University��

We examine whether exposure to��men’s��professional��ice hockey, particularly the NHL, reinforces hegemonic masculinity,��shaping��negative gender role attitudes��and attitudes towards women as leaders. Grounded in social learning theory, this��study builds on reactions to the controversy around the gold medal-winning U.S men’s hockey��team and��surrounding sexist behaviour and discourse that followed their victory. Following the establishment of such a link, we hope to expand our research to��identify��potential interventions to reduce bias, mitigate any��uncovered��negative effects of NHL fandom to women’s leadership, and promote��more��equitable��perceptions��of women��in leadership roles.��

The post CRIW 2026 Ignite! Grant Announcement appeared first on Centre for Research on Inclusion at Work (CRIW).

The Centre for Research on Inclusion at Work (CRIW) is pleased to officially announce the recipients of 2026’s CRIW Knowledge Mobilization grants. This annual competition designed to advance inclusion at work by encouraging the dissemination of knowledge about inclusion-related issues, through an event or other knowledge mobilization deliverable or activity(ies) that brings together interested parties. In 2025/26 the grant program made up to CAD $13,000 available to fund up to two (2) knowledge mobilization projects (maximum value per project $6,500). Congratulations to the following recipients! 

Knowledge Mobilization with an intercultural��lens��on water and inclusive employment in��rural Tanzania��

• Principal Investigator: Dr. Onita D. Basu, Professor, Faculty of Civil/Environmental Eng, and Associate Vice-Provost for Graduate Studies 
• Co-investigator: Dr. Troy Anderson, PhD, Associate Professor, Sprott School of Business 

This project advances inclusive Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) employment for Maasai women in rural Tanzania while supporting CRIW’s EDI goals. With female underemployment at 10–20% and only ~30% post‑secondary job placement, opportunities remain limited. Building on our ceramic water filter initiative, we will hire and train two young women to assist and engage in knowledge mobilization pertaining to this project, while also learning meaningful employability skills. A bilingual (English/Swahili) community event will share outcomes, strengthen �Ӱ�ԭ��‑TEMBO collaboration, and mobilize WaSH knowledge and equity-focused employment. 

From Research to Action: Bridging Academia, Industry, and Policy on Corporate Gender Diversity and Inclusion 

• Principal Investigator: Dr. Sana Mohsni, Associate Professor, Sprott School of Business, �Ӱ�ԭ�� University 
• Co-investigator: Amar Benaissa, PhD candidate in management, Sprott School of Business, �Ӱ�ԭ�� University 

This project represents a half-day knowledge mobilization conference at the Sprott School of Business, �Ӱ�ԭ�� University, designed to bridge the gap between academic research, industry practice, and public policy on gender diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The event will provide a structured and interactive platform for knowledge sharing, cross-sector dialogue, and the co-creation of actionable insights. The conference will feature research presentations by CRIW-affiliated Sprott Researchers and graduate students, followed by a high-impact panel discussion bringing together representatives from academia, industry, and government. The event is designed to translate current research findings into practical recommendations, foster cross-sector collaboration, and contribute to more inclusive and equitable workplace practices in Canada. 

The post CRIW 2026 Knowledge Mobilization Grant Announcement appeared first on Centre for Research on Inclusion at Work (CRIW).