We Are IIBD
The Inclusivity Institute for Better Data (IIBD) is a non-profit research consultancy led by a team of dedicated women leaders.
Our mission is to advocate passionately for diverse and historically marginalized groups, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are met through rigorous evaluation, pioneering research, and relentless advocacy.
Our multifaceted approach involves conducting comprehensive data analysis and research initiatives to uncover and address systemic underrepresentation and disparities faced by marginalized communities, including Black individuals, Youth, Women, 2LGBTQI+ communities, and other often-overlooked demographics. We champion a fundamental shift in data collection practices, challenging exclusionary structures in society.
The core activities of IIBD encompass a range of strategic actions: conducting large-scale data collection and analysis, developing policy recommendations based on empirical evidence, organizing educational workshops and seminars, and advocating for policy changes. We also engage in collaborative projects with various organizations and stakeholders to amplify our impact.
The Mandate of IIBD
At IIBD, we operate under a comprehensive and unequivocal mandate: We're not just in the business of data; we're in the business of change. We recognize the immense power of data to shape lives, inform policies, and drive societal shifts. But too often, that power is wielded without consideration for the communities most affected by it, particularly those that are under-resourced or underrepresented. Our mandate is to fill this critical gap, challenging the prevailing norms of data collection and utilization to ensure they are equitable, inclusive, and just.
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We aim to transform the very fabric of data practices, embedding diverse voices in the narratives that data constructs. Whether it's in healthcare, education, or social policy, our objective is to make sure that data serves the needs of all communities, not just a privileged few. We question who is being counted, how they're being counted, and most importantly, who is doing the counting. By interrogating these issues, we're shifting the power dynamics often found in traditional data practices.
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Our goal extends beyond mere representation; we strive to make data a tool for empowerment. For too long, data has been seen as an objective measure, devoid of societal context or bias. We challenge this notion, advocating for data practices that bring social justice and inclusivity to the forefront. This means not only correcting the overt and covert biases embedded in current data collection methods but also equipping marginalized communities with the tools and knowledge to leverage data for their own advocacy.
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We take a multifaceted approach to fulfilling our mandate. Through rigorous evaluation, pioneering research initiatives, and relentless advocacy, we are champions for a fundamental shift in how data is collected and used. Our work doesn't stop at the borders of any one country or community; we recognize that the issues we address are global in scope, and our strategies reflect that understanding.
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In every project we undertake, we maintain an unwavering commitment to transparency and ethical conduct. Our methodologies are not only sound but also openly shared to encourage dialogue and collective advancement. We partner with organizations and individuals alike, providing insights deeply rooted in empirical evidence and aimed at catalyzing transformative change.
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Our mandate, then, is a call to action—a call to make data work for everyone, in a way that is fair, equitable, and empowering. And we won't stop until that vision is a reality.
Acknowledgements
Land Acknowledgement
The Inclusivity Institute for Better Data (IIBD) recognizes the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. We acknowledge that the land on which we gather is part of the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the traditional territory of the Anishnabeg, Chippewa, Haudenosaunee, and Wendat Peoples. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.
African Ancestral Acknowledgement
At IIBD, we stand in resolute solidarity with Black communities, acknowledging the profound injustices and the enduring impact of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and slavery. We honor and remember the ancestors of African origin and their descendants who, through resilience and strength, have contributed to the fabric of Canadian society against the backdrop of their involuntary journey to these lands.
Our commitment to supporting and advocating for Black communities is unwavering, as we seek to build a foundation for freedom and reparative justice.