U of T: ‘No whites allowed’: Controversy over U of T hiring professors based solely on ‘gender identity’

The recruitment process at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) has sparked controversy after critics claimed job ads barred “white” applicants. The Department of Biological Sciences is seeking a professor of computational biology and data science. The position includes a Canada Research Chair II.“Selection will be limited to candidates who are members of one or more of four federally designated groups: women and gender minorities, racial/visible minorities, Aboriginal people, persons with disabilities,” the job posting states. All applicants must self-identify in their cover letter as belonging to at least one of these groups.These requirements follow the Ontario Human Rights Commission Special Plan and are part of UTSC’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.Critics on social media reacted to the job ad saying “no white people allowed”. Supporters say the rules are intended to address the underrepresentation of Canadian research chairs and meet the government’s fairness requirements.The successful candidate must hold a PhD in a relevant field with at least two years of postdoctoral training and a record of excellence in research and teaching.Successful professors will be committed to conducting interdisciplinary research, establishing competitive external grant programs, and contributing to undergraduate and graduate teaching. The university said it is committed to creating a welcoming scientific community where everyone feels supported, and this appointment will contribute to that mission. Annual salaries for this position range from CAD$138,000 to CAD$153,000, with top candidates likely to earn more.