Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC)

The Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC) is a non-profit research and evaluation organization with a two-part mission: to help decision-makers implement the most effective policies and programs that improve the lives and wellbeing of all Canadians, especially those that face disadvantage, and to raise the standards of evidence used in assessing and designing those policies and programs. Since its establishment in December 1991, SRDC has innovated and rigorously tested real-world solutions to some of Canada’s most pressing challenges across diverse policy areas including employment and workforce development, education, income security, health and well-being, economic integration of immigrants, youth development, and programs supporting the social and economic inclusion of marginalized and underrepresented groups. SRDC has offices located in Ottawa and Vancouver, and satellite offices in Calgary, Hamilton, London, Moncton, Montreal, Regina, Toronto, Victoria, and Winnipeg.

Commitment to Diversity

SRDC’s commitment to diversity is reflected in our workforce and in the work we do. We provide our staff with a work environment that is inclusive and transparent, and free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We take great care to ensure that our evidence-based research is ethical, conducted with integrity and respects human dignity. Research shows that, as a group, gender and sexual minorities – including people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S+) – are more likely to live in poverty, face more barriers to employment (including stigma and discrimination), and earn less at work, despite often having attained higher levels of education than the general population. SRDC’s dedicated Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Research Team, comprised of staff who themselves identify as LGBTQ2S+, utilizes their unique policy and research skills to develop specific research and programs which are used by policy-makers and practitioners to improve the lives of LGBTQ2S+ individuals in Canada. Our commitment to excellence, professionalism, methodological rigor, integrity and ethics are reflected in our publication “Queering research and evaluation: An LGBTQ2S+ Primer.” This practical introduction provides tools, information about key terms and concepts, and guidelines for researchers and evaluators looking to be more inclusive and ethical when it comes to gender and sexual minority individuals in their work.

Read Queering research and evaluation: An LGBTQ2S+ Primer.

Vision for Future

SRDC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. We welcome applications from qualified candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences, including LGBTQ2S+ persons, Indigenous Peoples and members of visible minority groups. We will accommodate the needs of candidates in all aspects of our hiring processes. We are also committed to raising the standards of evidence used in assessing social policies and programs that support LGBTQ2S+ individuals in Canada. We are dedicated to developing best practices in integrity, respect and dignity in our evidence-based research and evaluation programs that identify skill gaps, learning needs and systemic barriers experienced by LGBTQ2S+ people.