Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
Redpath Museum Committee
Our Committee is composed of museum students, staff and faculty working together and working closely with other committees at McGill, to develop policies and guidelines that will support our efforts toward a more equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible museum.
Students
Jessica Ford (she/her), graduate student co-chair
Jessica is a Ph.D. candidate working with Dr. David Green in the Redpath Museum studying how tadpoles change their environment and the effects of species loss. Jessica is equally passionate about equity, diversity, and inclusion in science and believes science is for all. She is the co-founder and Chair of STEMM Diversity @ McGill, the author and illustrator of its colouring book, co-founder of the Graduate Association of the Redpath Museum (GARM), and sits on local and international EDI committees to promote positive change. Twitter: @Mother_of_Toads
Alexis Heckley (she/her), graduate student co-chair:
Ph.D. Candidate in Prof Andrew Hendry's research group. She is a third-generation Canadian and a first-generation graduate student. She knows that increasing diversity will only improve scientific communities, and wants to help make research/science more accessible.
Faculty
Rowan Barrett (he/him), Associate Professor.
He is an evolutionary biologist who is broadly interested in the reciprocal interactions between ecological and evolutionary processes and the mechanisms by which these forces impact genomic variation in natural populations. He feels strongly that we need multiple voices and perspectives in science, and that everyone should feel welcome and safe conducting research. Fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive working environment will improve the quality, relevance, and impact of the work done at the Redpath Museum.
Virginie Millien, Associate Professor
Virginie is an Associate Professor who studies the effect of environmental change on species distribution and morphology. She grew up and studied in France, is a single mum of two, a pet hoarder, and a carrier of invisible differences. She believes that the first steps to achieving Equity and a Safe Climate for all in Academia are to raise awareness, develop support networks and programs, and more importantly, make them available to all, even to those who do not know they need it!
Toni Ricciardi, Professor
Staff
Anthony Howell (He/Him)
Anthony is a museum technician, who manages the zoology collections and oversees collection management activities for the natural history division. He strongly believes that equal opportunity and inclusion for all people, in all aspects of museum life, is essential to ending the discrimination and inequality that continues to tarnish our institutions. He regularly engages in collaborative internship programs with local schools, to provide education and opportunities for young minds, about the essence and importance of museums.
Annie Lussier (She/her)
She is a museologist who is interested in relationships between museums and communities, access to collections, ethical practices in museum storerooms and respectful collections care. Living with a disability, she is very sensitive to issues related to access and works towards making the museum a welcoming place for all. She is involved in local and international EDI committees focused on museum issues to learn continuously from and with others and to promote positive changes at the Redpath Museum.
Shawn McCutcheon (He/Him)
Shawn is the Administrative Coordinator of the museum. As a historian committed to the dissemination of the history of the LGBTQIA2S* communities, the representation of all is important for him. One of his priorities is the development of inclusive public programming, to make the museum an accessible space for all communities. Shawn regularly educates himself on the latest practices to decolonize museum educational practices and address systemic oppressions that may limit access.
Accessibility
We regret to inform you that at this time, the Redpath Museum is not wheelchair accessible and is not equipped with escalators, elevators or access ramps. The exhibits span three floors that can only be accessed via a staircase.
Soon, our historical building will undergo major renovations to make it universally accessible.
Thanks to Ministry of Education grants, the Operating and Accessibility funds, and the support of generous donors, the Museum will become easily accessible to all visitors, including those who use a wheelchair or for whom stairs are a barrier.