A Call for Equity for Racialized Researchers in Social Sciences in Canada

Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) might sound technical or niche, but its impact is far-reaching. The research outputs produced with them - or without them - affect the lives of local residents and indigenous communities. Whether it is data that informs public health policies, urban planning decisions, education reform, social services, or climate action in Canada, access to DRI tools can shape the quality, inclusivity, and reach of research. When racialized and Indigenous scholars are left out of these digital systems,  so too are the communities they represent.

Research data management tools like the  DMP Assistant, data repositories such as  Borealis, and collaborative tools housed within the  Lunaris,  are revolutionizing how research is conducted across Canada. These tools boost productivity, enable cross-institutional collaboration, and support better data management - all critical in a

competitive research environment.

But here is the problem: these resources are not equitably accessed. 

Many racialized researchers in the social sciences have never been introduced to these tools. Others are unsure how to use them or lack the culturally relevant training and support that makes learning meaningful. The results? Missed research opportunities, underrecognized work, and a widening gap between those who can plug into the digital research ecosystem and those left on the margins.

Our project, Digital Research Infrastructure for a Neglected Group and Discipline: Advancing Equitable Access for Racialized Researchers in Social Sciences at uOttawa, funded by the Digital Research Alliance of Canada, was born out of a simple but urgent truth: racialized researchers, especially women  and immigrant students  in the social sciences, face multiple, overlapping barriers that limit their full participation in academic life.

We asked researchers themselves - postdocs, grad students, and those who provide support services to them - librarians, grant officers - what is holding them back. The responses were illuminating: a lack of awareness of DRI tools, inadequate training or technical guidance, language and communication barriers, and poor knowledge of institutional policies meant to support them.

Most participants were unaware that the University of Ottawa already has an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Plan for researchers. This reveals a deep and troubling disconnect between policy and practice.

Why This Matters

Social sciences are deeply tied to public policy, urban development, cultural life, social justice, and community health - areas that shape the daily lives of Canadian residents. Yet, the discipline remains underrepresented in DRI initiatives. While STEM fields tend to  dominate the digital spotlight,  our work shows the need for

frameworks that respect the unique methods, data types, and epistemologies of the social sciences.

We found that to make DRI meaningful for social scientists in Canada, effective DRI support must be tailored to the discipline and the researcher. That means addressing institutional constraints, offering multilingual training options, and creating culturally

safe spaces for learning, sharing, and questioning. We learned that early and active engagement with local stakeholders - libraries and research offices- is key to success. Whether at universities, local colleges, public libraries, or city-funded research programs, these stakeholders are gatekeepers of information, training, and opportunity. They need to be part of the solution from day one.

Building an Inclusive Research Future

This project was about making sure that the scholars shaping

tomorrow’s social questions are not sidelined by today’s technical systems. It is about centring the voices, needs, and excellence of those too often overlooked. In a country like Canada, home to a large population of researchers, policymakers, immigrant communities, and public institutions, enabling inclusive and tailored digital research support for social scientists is not just a matter of equity; it is essential for generating meaningful, locally grounded solutions.

Canada has the opportunity to lead by example, fostering a research culture that is inclusive, forward-thinking, and just. That starts by recognizing and empowering the racialized scholars who contribute so much to the country’s social, academic, and civic life.