Roadmap and Reflections on Expanding Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Indigeneity, and Accessibility in Pharmacology Curricula

ABSTRACT Nurturing learning systems that are respectful and welcoming to diverse individuals is a step towards improving the experience of all students in pharmacology and toxicology (Pharm‐Tox). This paper evaluates the Pharm‐Tox curriculum at the University of Toronto with a critical lens towards...

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Main Authors: Gurnit Kaur, Raveen Christian Joy Rajakumar, Zena Agabani, Michelle Arnot
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-04-01
Series:Pharmacology Research & Perspectives
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/prp2.70085
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author Gurnit Kaur
Raveen Christian Joy Rajakumar
Zena Agabani
Michelle Arnot
author_facet Gurnit Kaur
Raveen Christian Joy Rajakumar
Zena Agabani
Michelle Arnot
author_sort Gurnit Kaur
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Nurturing learning systems that are respectful and welcoming to diverse individuals is a step towards improving the experience of all students in pharmacology and toxicology (Pharm‐Tox). This paper evaluates the Pharm‐Tox curriculum at the University of Toronto with a critical lens towards the incorporation of content that is Equitable, Diverse, Inclusive, acknowledges Indigeneity, and is Accessible (EDIIA). A curriculum mapping approach examined the undergraduate Pharm‐Tox curriculum to identify EDIIA gaps and areas for improvement. Key stakeholders that contributed to the curriculum mapping process were undergraduate students, teaching faculty, and an external research associate who identified EDIIA themes used to evaluate existing course materials. The curriculum map identified areas to improve EDIIA integration in individual courses and resulted in the design of course‐specific recommendations. Centrally housed department resources were also developed to mitigate barriers to faculty implementation of the EDIIA recommendations. These resources included an internal EDIIA handbook on appropriate language in the classroom, a guide to creating accessible and inclusive PowerPoint slides, and a pre‐course survey to identify the student population and their needs. Resources were well received by faculty, and to assess the impact of EDIIA recommendations on student learning, ongoing review of curricular changes will be conducted through student surveys. The recommendations from this curriculum mapping process encourage faculty to explore opportunities for EDIIA integration in the undergraduate Pharm‐Tox curriculum with the goal of strengthening the existing curriculum and improving the student learning experience.
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spelling doaj-art-2c672ac9cf4b4a3f8072a0f8b37a3b802025-08-20T03:10:24ZengWileyPharmacology Research & Perspectives2052-17072025-04-01132n/an/a10.1002/prp2.70085Roadmap and Reflections on Expanding Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Indigeneity, and Accessibility in Pharmacology CurriculaGurnit Kaur0Raveen Christian Joy Rajakumar1Zena Agabani2Michelle Arnot3Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto CanadaDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto CanadaDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto CanadaDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto CanadaABSTRACT Nurturing learning systems that are respectful and welcoming to diverse individuals is a step towards improving the experience of all students in pharmacology and toxicology (Pharm‐Tox). This paper evaluates the Pharm‐Tox curriculum at the University of Toronto with a critical lens towards the incorporation of content that is Equitable, Diverse, Inclusive, acknowledges Indigeneity, and is Accessible (EDIIA). A curriculum mapping approach examined the undergraduate Pharm‐Tox curriculum to identify EDIIA gaps and areas for improvement. Key stakeholders that contributed to the curriculum mapping process were undergraduate students, teaching faculty, and an external research associate who identified EDIIA themes used to evaluate existing course materials. The curriculum map identified areas to improve EDIIA integration in individual courses and resulted in the design of course‐specific recommendations. Centrally housed department resources were also developed to mitigate barriers to faculty implementation of the EDIIA recommendations. These resources included an internal EDIIA handbook on appropriate language in the classroom, a guide to creating accessible and inclusive PowerPoint slides, and a pre‐course survey to identify the student population and their needs. Resources were well received by faculty, and to assess the impact of EDIIA recommendations on student learning, ongoing review of curricular changes will be conducted through student surveys. The recommendations from this curriculum mapping process encourage faculty to explore opportunities for EDIIA integration in the undergraduate Pharm‐Tox curriculum with the goal of strengthening the existing curriculum and improving the student learning experience.https://doi.org/10.1002/prp2.70085accessibilitycurriculumdiversityequityinclusivityindigeneity
spellingShingle Gurnit Kaur
Raveen Christian Joy Rajakumar
Zena Agabani
Michelle Arnot
Roadmap and Reflections on Expanding Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Indigeneity, and Accessibility in Pharmacology Curricula
Pharmacology Research & Perspectives
accessibility
curriculum
diversity
equity
inclusivity
indigeneity
title Roadmap and Reflections on Expanding Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Indigeneity, and Accessibility in Pharmacology Curricula
title_full Roadmap and Reflections on Expanding Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Indigeneity, and Accessibility in Pharmacology Curricula
title_fullStr Roadmap and Reflections on Expanding Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Indigeneity, and Accessibility in Pharmacology Curricula
title_full_unstemmed Roadmap and Reflections on Expanding Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Indigeneity, and Accessibility in Pharmacology Curricula
title_short Roadmap and Reflections on Expanding Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Indigeneity, and Accessibility in Pharmacology Curricula
title_sort roadmap and reflections on expanding equity diversity inclusion indigeneity and accessibility in pharmacology curricula
topic accessibility
curriculum
diversity
equity
inclusivity
indigeneity
url https://doi.org/10.1002/prp2.70085
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