The Canadian Society of Zoologists is a professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of education and research in zoology at the provincial, federal, and international level.
Membership is open to all persons interested in zoology – students, researchers, educators – and offers the following benefits:
Annual and regional conferences
Community of scientists, networking, and collaborations
Recognitions of excellence in research and science communication
Commitment to education in Canada through the Zoological Education Trust
Coordinated efforts for government and public awareness of the importance of zoology
Reduced rate of subscription to select journals
Recent News
The Canadian Society of Zoologists is a diverse and inclusive not-for-profit scientific society that welcomes members of any gender, race, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation. The society aims to reflect this diversity at all levels, ranging from participation at meetings, to representation on council and committees, to the recipients of its awards. The Canadian Society of Zoologists is proud to promote and support equality for all members interested in zoology.
How to get involved?
Volunteer
Would you like to gain more experience in a specific area related to zoology and to enhance your leadership skills? Do you want to make a difference in the Canadian Society of Zoologists (CSZ)?
As a not-for-profit organization, CSZ depends on volunteers for many tasks related to the science and the profession. Committees at all levels of CSZ provide many ideas that shape the future of the Society, and they are excellent avenues for members to begin or continue volunteer service to CSZ.
For more information please contact the CSZ secretary.
Statement
The Canadian Society of Zoologists is a not-for-profit scientific society whose objective is to promote the advancement and public awareness of Zoology and to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and ideas among all persons interested in the science and practice of Zoology. The Society strives to be a diverse and inclusive community that welcomes members of any age, gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, colour, cultural background, religion, place of origin, pregnancy or parental role, sexual orientation, ability, or socio-economic situation. The Society aims for a membership that reflects the diversity of the Canadian zoological community, and at the same time will work to ensure the diversity of the zoological community reflects the Canadian population at large. Within the Society, diversity of its membership is to be reflected at all levels, including participation at meetings, representation on council and committees, and when determining the recipients of its awards. The Society recognizes that a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion among its membership is both a moral imperative and an essential part of enabling the highest-quality, most innovative zoological research. Building a society that is equitable, diverse, and inclusive is an ideal, not a task that can ever be considered complete. To this end, the Society has established a committee, and is currently developing an action plan and code of conduct, to provide mechanisms to remove barriers to participation for all Canadian zoologists.
Action Plan
The CSZ commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Immediate Goals
(2020-2021)
Survey the membership to understand current diversity and set targets for improvement
Launch a CSZ blog to highlight the diversity of Canadian zoologists
Formalize an EDI statement and Code of Conduct, publish and promote
(The Code of Conduct will address behaviour at both annual meeting and to maintain membership in the Society)
Amend the application process for awards to allow equity-seeking individuals to self-identify, and consider modifying the disbursement of travel support
Near Term Goals
(Next 3-5 Years)
Develop a reporting structure that will enable members to anonymously report complaints/Code of Conduct violations at annual meeting
Develop a plan to improve transparency about CSZ decisions and awards:
a) Implement concrete steps to increase diversity of award nominees
b) Collect and report data about historic award winners, executive committee members, and other high-profile roles within the society
Develop guidelines for inviting symposium speakers that promote EDI
Continual review of initiatives via EDI committee, create a culture of transparency and engagement with CSZ members
Long Term Goals
Increase the participation and quality of experience for currently under-represented groups within CSZ
Achieve a CSZ membership that reflects the demographics of the Canadian zoological community
Increase diversity in the Canadian zoological community to reflect the diversity of Canadians