From: Trevor Young, Vice-President & Provost
Date: October 24, 2025
Re: Toronto Initiative for Diversity and Excellence (TIDE) Information Session 

The Toronto Initiative for Diversity and Excellence (TIDE) is a faculty-led, volunteer service group that has played a pivotal role in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across our campuses since 2016. TIDE has delivered hundredsof evidence-informed talks and workshops and developed a suite of on-demand Unconscious Bias Education Modules. Its work has helped faculty members across the University of Toronto deepen their understanding of how bias can impact academic review processes and how to address it, how to strengthen inclusive practices, and how to foster equitable cultures.  TIDE’s peer-to-peer, evidence-based approach to its programming has resonated strongly with faculty members and academic administrators at the University of Toronto.

To support TIDE’s continued growth and impact, and to reflect our ongoing commitment to inclusive excellence at the University of Toronto, the Provost’s Office is committing $250,000 annually over a three-year period from July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2028. This funding will support the sustainability of TIDE’s programming, staffing, and infrastructure.

TIDE will be holding an Information Session on November 17, 2025(1:10-2:00 pm, online). Registration Link. At this information session, TIDE will share updates and highlight opportunities for faculty and librarian engagement in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) work across the University of Toronto. I strongly encourage faculty members and librarians to attend this session to learn more about how they might contribute to the important work of TIDE.

The founder of TIDE, University Professor Maydianne Andrade will be leaving the University of Toronto to assume the role of Dean, Faculty of Science at York University, effective January 1, 2026. Information about TIDE’s leadership structure and the remarkable achievements of Professor Andrade is available on the TIDE website and in a recent profile published in Nature.

Please join me in extending our heartfelt gratitude to Professor Andrade for her vision, courage, and service.