Inclusive Science Fuels Innovation, Economic Growth, and Scientific Security

Inclusive Science¹ isn’t just a guiding principle—it’s a powerful driver of both innovation and societal progress. By embracing diverse knowledge systems, perspectives and methodologies, Canada can strengthen its science-based economic growth, foster innovation, and bolster scientific security. One notable example of inclusive science at work is Health Canada’s Air Quality Program, which collaborates with Indigenous communities to explore the health impacts of indoor and outdoor air quality.

In partnership with communities in Ontario’s Sioux Lookout Zone, the program examined how indoor air quality influences health outcomes. This research conducted between 2017 and 2019 documented important findings: over one-fifth of First Nations children in the participating communities were hospitalized for respiratory infections before the age of two. Armed with this data, researchers and community members are working to improve ventilation, raise awareness about indoor air quality and advocate for community-led, evidence-based solutions. This collaborative approach exemplifies the power of Inclusive Science. By involving Indigenous rights-holders from the very beginning, the research team was able to align their objectives with the communities’ priorities, creating a more impactful and culturally relevant study. As demonstrated through this research, Inclusive Science is about creating a more diverse, collaborative and interdisciplinary scientific environment—one that actively seeks out varied social and scientific perspectives.

The need for such inclusivity is clear: the C.D. Howe Institute noted in 2022 that Canada faces a serious shortage of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills. As Canada’s science community continues to diversify due to labour market needs, Inclusive Science becomes essential not only to fuel innovation and economic growth but also for strengthening the integrity of science itself. It allows for innovative research, contributes to solving Canada’s innovation challenges and addresses disparities in access to scientific outputs and opportunities.

Increasing diversity in the workforce improves scientific outcomes and strengthens security. In 2025, the World Economic Forum reiterated the strategic benefits of inclusion: promoting sustainable economic growth and resilience. At the organizational level, the Global Black Economic Forum worked with consulting firm Korn Ferry to understand the financial returns of inclusion in the workplace; their findings were similar to McKinsey’s: diverse teams are 35% more likely to achieve better financial returns, which directly translates into stronger innovation within research and development. Hofstra and colleagues (2020) analyzed over a million publications and found that underrepresented scientists disproportionately contribute to scientific novelty, while inequities often limit recognition. Similarly, AlShebli et al. (2018) showed that ethnic diversity within research collaborations significantly enhances scientific impact. These findings underscore that inclusion is not ancillary but fundamental to innovation. In fact, organizations that embrace diversity are also better equipped to protect their intellectual property—more diverse teams bring different perspectives that allow for more thorough risk assessments and proactive solutions. This alignment of Inclusive Science with secure science is not only a moral imperative but a Canadian strategic advantage.

At its core, Inclusive Science helps build trust between the public and scientific institutions. Fostering an environment where scientists from all backgrounds feel empowered, supported and valued is integral to ensuring that science remains accessible, open and responsive to communities’ needs. By integrating diverse identities into research, regulatory frameworks and training programs, Canada can better address pressing challenges such as public health crises, climate change and ethical concerns in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. 

Inclusive Science also plays a critical role in science security. This refers to the safeguarding of intellectual property, research data and the integrity of scientific practices—ensuring that they are transparent and equitable. As global challenges become more complex, it is vital to secure research data while making scientific opportunities accessible to underrepresented groups, especially in government-led projects. A 2019 article found that increasing diversity in scientific teams can generate new research questions yet to be asked, develop methodological approaches to better understand populations, and foster greater adaptability and problem-solving capacity to address emerging threats.

One striking example of this in action is Health Canada’s recent review of the Fitzpatrick Skin Tone Scale, a six-point scale which does not account for the diversity of Canada’s skin tones when regulating cosmetics and emergency-room pulse oximeters. In response, Health Canada spearheaded a thorough review and ultimately adopted the more inclusive 10-point Monk Skin Tone Scale. This interdisciplinary effort not only addressed a key gap in scientific measurement but also highlights the power of Inclusive Science to challenge historical biases and promote equity in scientific systems and policies. 

In 2024, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada catalyzed Inclusive Science by launching the first federal action plans on Anti-Racism in Science (ARiS). Both are making science-based positions more accessible to employees from Employment Equity Groups, which include Women, Indigenous Peoples, Members of Visible Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities, as designated by the Employment Equity Act. Including these four groups makes our scientific methodologies more inclusive and changes our scientific culture so that people in Canada have more inclusive science-based outcomes. These ARiS Action Plans have inspired whole-of-government initiatives to ensure inclusive federal scientific progress delivers direct public benefits.

The Smoke Data Knowledge Exchange (SmoKE) project further exemplifies the benefits of Inclusive Science. Through this initiative, Health Canada aims to fill critical communication gaps related to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure in Indigenous, rural, and remote communities. PM2.5 pollution, such as that generated by wildfire smoke and wood burning, poses serious risks to cardiovascular and respiratory health. The SmoKE project combines Indigenous Knowledge with Western scientific data, using a Two-Eyed Seeing approach² to build a more comprehensive understanding of air quality. This project will provide real-time data on PM2.5 levels, the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) and health messaging, while incorporating Indigenous stories and perspectives — further demonstrating the potential of Inclusive Science to drive meaningful change.

Ultimately, Inclusive Science is not just about Employment Equity representation; it’s about science contributing to responsive, innovative and secure outcomes. The science for, from, and in favour of all of those in Canada is advancing knowledge in ways that are more ethical, innovative, and impactful. 

The road ahead is clear: putting Inclusive Science into action will fuel science-based innovation, secure science and help deliver a better tomorrow for all.