Keynote Address from Kirsty Duncan

THE EXCLUSION EFFECT: HOW THE SCIENCES DISCOURAGE GIRLS & WOMEN & WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT

As a newly minted PhD in medical geography, Kirsty Duncan led an international expedition to remote Svalbard, Norway to search for the cause of the deadly 1918 influenza. What should have been a rewarding intellectual adventure turned out to be an unwanted baptism into the unbridled sexism and privilege of the scientific community. Ever since, she has devoted herself to the support of girls and women in scientific endeavours.

While women have come a long way in science, there is still far to go. They remain under-represented, under-paid, under-published, and under the shadows of male scientists who are assumed, without evidence, to have innate capacities that women lack. Duncan identifies systemic biases in the assessment of girls’ abilities and the teaching of science in the home, the classroom, our communities, and professional life. She makes a powerful argument for cultural and institutional change to ensure girls and women their rightful place in the scientific community.

Awards:

• Student Impact Award: Awarded to a student-led initiative that has demonstrated outstanding impact in promoting diversity and inclusion within engineering.
  • WINNER: Giuseppina (Pina) Alfarano:  Pina transforms her own challenges into opportunities for others. She found confidence through mathematics and the support of her civil engineer father. Returning to Camp Scugog, where she first attended as a child, she now mentors campers with hands-on engineering workshops—building timber towers, hydraulic arms, and mechanical hands—sparking curiosity and confidence in children from underrepresented backgrounds.  At York University, Pina conducted equity and inclusion research on retention of women in engineering and revived the Civil Engineering Graduate Students Association, fostering belonging and mentorship. Her initiatives demonstrate that representation matters: when young people see someone like them succeed in engineering, their aspirations expand.  Through her grassroots programs, academic contributions, and leadership, Pina has multiplied impact, inspiring children and peers alike to explore STEM. She exemplifies student-led innovation, resilience, and commitment to equity and inclusion. 
• Outreach Innovation Award: Awarded to a single outreach workshop or activity that exemplifies excellence in engaging youth introduced a fresh, creative, or unconventional approach to STEM engagement.
  • WINNER: University of Waterloo Engineering Outreach Beading Binary and the Travelling STEM program uses culturally grounded, co-created activities—such as beadwork-based coding and strawberry DNA extraction—to engage Indigenous youth in hands-on engineering and science through joyful, identity-affirming learning. By bringing free, multi-day STEM camps directly to rural and Northern communities, hiring in-community high school assistants, and working under Two-Eyed Seeing, the program removes barriers, strengthens partnerships, and offers a scalable, culturally responsive pathway into future engineering studies 
• Research Impact Award: Awarded to a Canadian research paper or presentation within the last five years that significantly contributes to knowledge and practices in EDI or engineering outreach.
  • WINNER: Michelle “Mic” Liu’s 2024 paper argues that equity, diversity, and inclusion are not optional values but legal and professional obligations within engineering, drawing on the Supreme Court’s Trinity Western decisions to show that protecting 2SLGBTQ+ people and ensuring equal access are integral to serving the public interest. Backed by their extensive national EDI leadership, interdisciplinary expertise as both a Professional Engineer and lawyer, and a strong record of policy impact and advocacy, Liu’s work is a groundbreaking contribution that is reshaping how the engineering profession understands its public-interest mandate. 
• Inclusive Engineering Employer Award: Awarded to an engineering employer demonstrating exceptional commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.
  • WINNER: Spin Master exemplifies an Inclusive Engineering Employer through its measurable commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, demonstrated by a diverse workforce, intentional leadership development, employee resource groups, and extensive community partnerships that provide STEAM access and mentorship to underrepresented groups. Their culture of belonging, inclusive practices, and tangible impact both within the company and in the broader community make them a standout leader in advancing inclusion in engineering. 
• Allyship in Action Award: Awarded to an individual who has actively and consistently championed equity and inclusion within engineering, especially by supporting underrepresented communities.
  • WINNER: Stephanie Thompson, founder of STEM by Steph and Women in STEM Experiences (WISE), empowers women and girls in trades, engineering, and STEM through hands-on workshops, mentorship, and community initiatives that connect mothers, daughters, and female professionals. Recognized nationally for her leadership and storytelling, she has created scalable programs, organized major STEM events, and built networks that break barriers and inspire underrepresented groups to pursue STEM careers. 

Program –

Full Agenda with Abstracts and Award Nominees Available here