HDRN Unlearning Curriculm

[Sandra Holdsworth]

HDRN Canada has launched a free, open-source online curriculum designed to help researchers, data professionals, community partners and organizations better understand how systemic oppression shapes the collection, access and use of health data.

Developed by HDRN Canada's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA) Team, the IDEA Unlearning Club curriculum explores topics such as racism, privilege and oppression, and connects these concepts to the health administrative data lifecycle. Through self-paced online modules and short explainer videos, participants examine how historical and systemic inequities can influence data practices — and how those practices can be improved by incorporating IDEA.

Each module includes practical resources in a variety of formats, allowing participants to learn at their own pace. "The modules provide the knowledge, skills and reflection needed to support inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility in the administrative data space," said Dr. Amy Freier, HDRN Canada’s IDEA Team Lead. "We hope people will use our curriculum to start their own Unlearning Club and begin their own journey of learning and unlearning."

The curriculum was developed following the launch of HDRN Canada's pioneering IDEA Strategy, which identified practical, high-impact actions to embed inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) across the network. By making it freely available, HDRN Canada aims to foster broader conversations about equitable data practices and support a more inclusive approach to health data research across Canada.

Start unlearing today with the first module, Cultivating Safe Spaces!