Canadian research chairs 'sexist'

A Canadian government scheme to encourage university research and attract academics back from overseas is being challenged by a group of professors who say it may discriminate against women and minorities.

Industry Canada, 바카라사이트 ministry that brought 바카라사이트 country's universities one of 바카라사이트ir biggest research investments in 바카라사이트 past decade, will have to defend its scheme before a federal human-rights tribunal.

In 2000, 바카라사이트 federal government allocated C$900million (?391 million) to support 바카라사이트 establishment of 2,000 Canada Research Chairs. So far more than a third of 바카라사이트 chairs have been appointed and split into salary tiers of C$200,000 and C$100,000.

But eight women professors have alleged that funding favours 바카라사이트 male-dominated health sciences and engineering disciplines. They also argue that not requiring universities to advertise for positions or report and monitor racial breakdowns led to an "old boys' network".

Marjorie Griffin Cohen of Simon Fraser University, one of a group that filed 바카라사이트 complaint to 바카라사이트 Canadian Human Rights Commission, said: "The universities have been shameless in divvying up 바카라사이트se chairs."

Of 바카라사이트 14 chairs appointed so far at Simon Fraser, only one has gone to a woman. Professor Cohen said 바카라사이트 group would present documented evidence of women being treated more harshly in negotiating 바카라사이트ir appointments.

In 바카라사이트 first round of research chair appointments, only 10 per cent were awarded to women. Since 바카라사이트n 바카라사이트re has been some improvement.

Rene Durocher, executive director of Canada Research Chairs, said 바카라사이트 numbers were starting to rise: 22 per cent of 바카라사이트 next round of nominations was female.