EDII Research Cluster
Advancing the understanding and practice of equity, diversity, inclusion and indigenization (EDII) across business, organizational and societal contexts
EDII Research at Smith
Our members engage in rigorous research, addressing issues such as systemic inequities, inclusive leadership, bias reduction and social justice policy. The EDII Research Initiative hosts regular seminars, workshops and Speaker Series events to foster dialogue and disseminate cutting-edge scholarship.
Smith Professorship in Equity & Inclusion in Business
Eddy Ng is the Smith Professor of Equity and Inclusion at Smith School of Business. This professorship is dedicated to advancing scholarship and teaching excellence by integrating equity, diversity, inclusion and indigenization (EDII) principles into business education. The professorship is central to supporting the business school’s mission of achieving excellence in research, teaching and practice related to EDII. It fosters research and innovative pedagogical approaches that deepen the understanding and application of EDII within the business field. Through the EDII Research Initiative, the Smith Professor and Smith Scholars from across all business disciplines collaborate to promote diverse perspectives and inclusive learning, reflecting the business school’s strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and indigenization.
Research Highlights
Smith's productive research culture mobilizes interdisciplinary perspectives through media and other channels to bridge theory and practice, and drive meaningful change.
Employers downplaying DEI sending wrong message to employees
Eddy Ng
How the “Glass Wall” Can Hold Female Freelancers Back
Christy Zhou Koval
How Does Social Class Affect the Workplace?
Michelle Lee
Why Board Gender Quotas Are Nothing to Fear
Bhargav Gopal
How Indigenous Finance Is Rewriting the Rules of Canadian Banking
Daniel Hudson , Juan Francisco Chavez Ramirez , Shawn Blankinship & Emily Salmon (Unxiimtunaat)
EDII Researchers
Faculty engaged with the EDII Initiative actively undertake research examining equity, diversity, inclusion and indigenization issues within business contexts. Their work spans strategy, finance, business economics and organizational behaviour.
Sarah Burrows
Juan Francisco Chavez Ramirez
Bhargav Gopal
Michelle Lee
Paula López-Peña
Eddy Ng
Christy Zhou Koval
Publications
Faculty within Smith’s EDII Initiative publish in top international business journals and receive grants to facilitate ongoing knowledge discovery and insights at the intersection of EDII and business.
Shifting Standards Due to Social Class? How Social Class Background Shapes CEO Career Outcomes
Lee, M., Gai, S.
Academy of Management Proceedings (2025)
The anti-DEI agenda: Navigating the impact of Trump’s second term on diversity, equity, and inclusion
Ng, E.S., Fitzsimmons, T., Kulkarni, M., Ozturk, M., April, K., Banerjee, R., & Louise-Muhr, S.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (2025)
Place Disruptions as Extreme Events: The Role of Place Multiplexity
Chavez R., J.F., Salmon, E.
Academy of Management Proceedings (2025)
The economic drivers of state violence against civilians: Evidence from Myanmar
Davis, C. A., López-Peña, P., Mobarak, A. M., & Wen, J. Y.
The Economic Journal (2025)