Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion – Hisham Zerriffi (He/Him/His)

The Faculty of Forestry is committed to promoting Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) for all, with a particular focus on the people and communities who have been systemically and historically excluded from academia and the fields of forestry, conservation and resource management. 

This commitment extends to the lands and places on which our Faculty has the privilege to work and grow upon, and will require the lived experiences and perspectives of all peoples we aim to serve, work, educate and collaborate with. In making this commitment we recognize that the professions and disciplines taught and promoted within the Faculty have historically and in some cases, continue to this day, to be involved in discriminatory actions and practices. 

As we move towards a more just and equitable future, meaningful long-term change must come from within ourselves, as well as within our Faculty. Our activities designed to meet our JEDI goals centre around three key actions – fostering systemic change, facilitating difficult conversations and providing opportunities to learn and remove barriers.

We acknowledge that past attempts have been made to address these issues, however much work is still left to be done. As such, we are committed to truly fostering diversity and a culture of inclusion by prioritizing both justice and equity within our Faculty. This work will be ongoing and will serve to create a culture of belonging and respect amongst Faculty, staff, students and the greater community. As our efforts span a range of initiatives, please consider joining us in this journey to share your perspectives and make a difference. 

Hisham Zerriffi
Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

JEDI Team

JEDI Team

Taking a justice based approach to equity, diversity and inclusion, the JEDI team is part of the Associate Dean’s EDI office helping to advance EDI initiatives in UBC Forestry.

JEDI Initiatives:

Folil Trafün (Joining Roots) Festival

Folil Trafün (Joining Roots) is a showcase of Indigenous and Afro-diaspora films from Latin America (with English subtitles), followed by dialogues to deepen understanding of the films and their relationship with local realities.

Tuning into the Forest

Tuning into the Forest

A podcast initiative to share new voices and promote the profiles of diverse scholars within UBC Forestry. Join JEDI team member Estefanía Milla-Moreno, Mapuche and Latina Scholar, and learn about stories of JEDI in Nature.

Virtual Lunch in the Forest

Virtual Lunch in the Forest

A series of online webinars, hosted by JEDI Team member Estefania Milla-Moreno that discuss forestry topics through the lens of EDI and anti-racism, featuring guests from a range of backgrounds and experiences.

EDI Resources:

Harassment/Discrimination Complaints

Harassment/ Discrimination Complaints

The Faculty of Forestry is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace where harassment and discrimination in any form is not tolerated. View more information on how to disclose or report an incident (whether yourself or as a witness).

EDI Resource List

EDI Resource List

The Forestry JEDI team invites you to explore the recommended Read/Watch/Listen list for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. These resources have been compiled for people both within and outside the UBC Faculty of Forestry to engage in self-directed learning related to JEDI issues.