As the president of the Canadian Black Scientists Network, Professor Maydianne Andrade shows the strength diversity brings to an organization through actively promoting the hiring, retention, and success of a diverse and inclusive workforce. Through her informative and eye-opening talks, she speaks to the harm that unconscious biases have on both individuals and organizations, and provides techniques and solutions to resolve and mitigate those negative effects to create more positive and fair workplaces.
Andrade earned her Ph.D. in neurobiology and behaviour from Cornell University and has been a professor at UTSC for more than 20 years, becoming the Vice Dean, Faculty Affairs and Equity in 2017. In this role, she advised on academic equity issues; faculty advancement, promotions, mentorship, and recognition; and, oversaw all academic HR matters including the selection and training of Dean’s Assessors, labour relations and grievances, and more. In 2019, Andrade received the Ludwik and Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize from the University of Toronto Alumni Association for her work initiating conversations about race, gender, and bias.
In addition, Andrade is the founder and co-chair of the Toronto Initiative for Diversity and Excellence (TIDE) at the University of Toronto. She also hosts the podcast, The New Normal, which explores how the disruption of the pandemic may catalyse a more equitable society.
An award-winning teacher, researcher, and science outreach educator, Andrade is also the Canada Research Chair in Integrative Behavioural Ecology, a Research Associate at the Royal Ontario Museum, and has been recognized for her distinguished contributions to research by the Animal Behaviour Society. Her most recent science outreach efforts include acting as a guest host of CBC’s The Nature of Things. Andrade is also an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
