The Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (DEDI) Committee in York University’s Department of Psychology recently hosted its inaugural Diversifying and Demystifying Graduate School in Psychology event. This hybrid event – part of a larger initiative by the committee to increase representation at the graduate level – was designed to support undergraduate students from historically under-represented groups who are interested in applying to graduate school in psychology at York U.
“This event was planned out of a recognition that the path to graduate school can be particularly challenging for students from under-represented groups,” said Lesley Zannella, an assistant professor in psychology and co-chair of the department’s DEDI Committee. “Navigating the application process, understanding the requirements and finding the right fit can feel like an overwhelming task. Our goal was to equip students with the tools, insights and support needed to successfully navigate this journey.”
In addition to gathering a panel of speakers and organizing targeted sessions for the nearly 70 participating students based on their application timelines, the event facilitated networking opportunities, allowing students to connect with faculty and peers who share similar goals and experiences. By fostering these connections, the DEDI Committee aims to build a supportive community among equity-deserving psychology students.
“It is important that students have these informal opportunities to meet with professors, ask them questions about their labs and research programs, and put themselves out there,” said Heather Prime, an assistant professor in psychology and a member of the DEDI Committee. “It’s not always easy to get face-to-face time with professors to connect about shared interests. An event like this makes it possible to socialize in a professional setting and may pave the way for some students who are looking to get their foot in the door.”
Zannella believes fostering diverse representation in graduate programs enriches academic discourse and research, which in turn contributes to a broader range of perspectives, ideas and solutions. By creating pathways for under-represented students to navigate the journey to graduate school, the department can begin to cultivate an academic environment that reflects the diversity of Canadian society.
“It is so impactful to see other people with faces and stories similar to mine, achieving what I want to achieve,” said Salwa Beheiry, a third-year psychology student.
Moving forward, the committee aims to build on the success of its first event by making it an annual event and organizing more events and initiatives aimed at facilitating diversity, equity and inclusion in psychology. In addition to supporting students in their academic pursuits, the committee hopes to contribute to the broader efforts of decolonizing and diversifying the Department of Psychology.
“It is initiatives such as this event that allow us to work toward a more inclusive and diverse discipline, ultimately advancing the field of psychology,” said Zannella.