Brewing a sense of belonging: GCI Community Café Recap

On June 18, the atrium of the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI) transformed into a vibrant, welcoming space for the GCI “Community Café”, a new event organized by the institute’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee. More than 150 members of the GCI community gathered for this special moment of connection, designed to place community voices at the center of the GCI’s evolving EDI strategy.

At the heart of the event was a simple idea: listening is foundational to building a more inclusive and equitable research environment. As such, the Community Café was anchored by a newly launched Community Action Survey, a comprehensive tool developed to better understand how GCI members experience inclusion, belonging, and systemic barriers in their work and training environments. The response rate of 40% reflects a meaningful level of engagement and a shared commitment to shaping an inclusive research community. These results will inform a report produced by the Committee and concrete actions to move forward.

To create a setting conducive to open conversation and collective reflection, the EDI Committee invited a professional barista to serve handcrafted coffee and warm beverages, alongside locally sourced gourmet donuts, a small but joyful gesture that underscored the importance of care and hospitality in community-building.

“This event was an opportunity to open up dialogue around inclusion at the GCI while offering our community a well-deserved coffee break,” said Ellie Massey, PhD student and student representative on the EDI Committee. “The survey results will now serve as a key resource to guide our future actions, aligned with the needs and priorities voiced by our own members.”

This initiative is grounded in the understanding that equity, diversity and inclusion strengthen the research ecosystem. Removing systemic barriers and fostering diverse perspectives not only expands access to talent, but also enhances the excellence, relevance and impact of the research being conducted. By striving to center community input and inclusive practices, the GCI aims to promote a supportive research environment that empowers every member to lead scientific innovation.

More than a convivial break from routine, the Community Café created a moment of collective awareness, reminding us that building a just and welcoming research culture starts with intentional acts of listening, inclusion, and shared ownership.

Reach out to the GCI’s EDI committee: edi.gcss.gci@mcgill.ca

Learn more about EDI at the GCI: https://www.goodmancancer.ca/en/statement-on-equity-diversity-and-inclusion-in-research