Research + White Papers
Research
DiversityLeads: Barriers and Enablers to Advancement for Equity-Deserving Groups
This report identifies significant barriers that hinder career advancement and enablers that allow leaders from equity-deserving groups to succeed. It is important to track progress because what gets measured gets done, especially at a time when Canada’s workers are aging and immigration levels are lowering, leaving a widening skills and talent gap for employers.
Research
EDI Best Practices for Municipalities
The Diversity Institute, the City of Kingston, and the Future Skills Centre, partnered to collect and share Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Reconciliation (EDIR) practices from municipalities across Canada to develop a searchable database of EDIR resources. Currently, there are 260 best practices available through the tool.
Research
AI Adoption in SMEs - Framework, Tools and Curated Resources
Guided by the AI competency framework, DI has built a tool that is focused on supporting upskilling for basic and mid-level AI competency development. The tool features curated lists of courses for basic AI literacy and mid-level AI skills. The library of curated resources is updated weekly to ensure it keeps apace with the expansion of the AI sector.
Research
Work Reimagined: Roles, Skills, and Workforce Development in the Age of AI
As AI transforms jobs and industries, organizations are navigating new ways of working. Understanding the dynamics of AI adoption—what drives it, what slows it down, and its impact on roles, skills, and workforce development—is essential for building responsive and competitive workplaces.
Research
Diversity Assessment Tool App
The Diversity Institute’s Diversity Assessment Tool (DAT) offers SMEs a practical way to assess their EDI practices, policies and strategies and determine areas for improvement.
Research
Automation technologies and Canada's labour market: Measuring the totality of exposure
Automation technologies present Canadian businesses with opportunities for improved productivity, labour efficiencies, and growth. Adopting these technologies will change how industries operate, including the types of jobs and skills needed. Demand for some jobs will shrink, while others will experience changes in their tasks and workflows—and not everyone will be impacted equally.
Research
More Than Just Numbers Revisited: Women in Engineering
This report reviews progress for women in engineering and the gaps that remain, and draws upon research and best practices to advance an evidence-based action plan.
Research
Mentoring for Black Nurses—A Retrospective Study
The project explored the role of mentorship in pathways to nursing, including education, employment and advancement, and how anti-Black racism manifests for both internationally and Canadian-trained professionals.
Research
State of Black Economics Report: Insights on Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship
This report examines the challenges that Black Canadians face in economic advancement, specifically education, employment, leadership and entrepreneurship. It draws from the latest data and research in these areas, which show that experiences and challenges vary within the Black population based on gender, age, origin and disability.








